Road Show Heroes
April 19, 2023

Since coming on board as RMA Administrator in 2021, I have been impressed with how well our team works together across all offices. A great example is our recent Road Show initiative to promote our Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) and Micro Farm insurance programs.

These insurance options help simplify things for producers by having all commodities under one umbrella (rather than maintaining multiple policies). They also help to cover commodities that otherwise have no existing crop insurance policy. Essentially, with very few exceptions, any commodity on a farm that generates revenue is eligible for coverage under WFRP or the Micro Farm policies.

RMA employees Griffin Schnitzler, Sarah Fournier, and Lane Webb, with
producers attending an RMA Road Show in Tolland, Connecticut, January 10, 2023

Since October of last year, we have hosted nearly 20 Road Show presentations, which consist of giving farmers a rundown of how these policies work and a chance to address their concerns or questions. Some of the presentations were virtual, some in-person, and some combined both mediums. We also held events geared toward producers and others targeted for insurance agents.

Product Management and Insurance Services teams both contributed a lot of time, effort, and resources into hosting events across the country. I recently spoke with Lane Webb, who has been with RMA for just over 9 years in the Loss Adjustment Standards Branch. Prior to joining our team, he served in the US Air Force for 21 years, maintaining F-16 Fighting Falcons and in recruiting. Today, he is the Team Lead for WFRP and Micro Farm, but also spends some time working with Sugarcane, Grapes, and Raisin policies.

Marcia: It seems evident to me that many producers who would benefit from WFRP and Micro Farm policies are not aware that these programs exist. Particularly urban and specialty crop growers.
Lane: Agreed. I think the greatest thing about the WFRP and Micro Farm programs to me is that they are designed to offer insurance coverage for all crops, specifically those with no other coverage option.

RMA’s Lane Webb, Team Lead for Whole-Farm
Revenue Protection and Micro Farm programs

Marcia: Well, that makes the effort that yourself and others across RMA have given to promote these programs well worth it.
Lane: Absolutely. The presentations we gave reached over 1,000 people. Some of those people were not aware the programs existed, how it may help them, or how to purchase it. I think it was important to share the information we did so that they may have a better understanding of the programs.

Marcia: As a subject matter expert and the presenter at many of these events, what have you enjoyed most about the Road Shows?
Lane: The Road Show concept is a great idea, and I am glad I was able to help make Marcia’s vision become a reality. I enjoyed presenting the WFRP and Micro Farm programs to many people, most of which knew very little about it, but are the ones that may have needed it the most. It was exciting sharing my knowledge about the program. My most memorable moments were the in-person events I attended. I think we received many great questions, some basic and some complex. It was great to be able to make those events interactive and have conversations with the audience as I went through the presentation, hearing feedback and sharing information that will be helpful in making the programs better.

Marcia: I think that yourself, Griffin Schnitzler, and others from Regional Offices did a great job. I know it is not always easy to put ourselves out there, but it is necessary for the mission.
Lane: I was hesitant at first, but the more I prepared the information and the more I presented, the more comfortable I became at accepting invitations to present the material. I received a lot of invitations outside of the ones organized as national and regional events. I presented to several smaller grower groups and cohorts as one-off Teams events and those offered some of the best feelings of helping get the word out.

Marcia: Well, I am certain that these efforts have paid off immensely for these programs and the feedback we receive has helped us tailor the products to best meet the needs of those we serve.
Lane: A goal of mine since we implemented the WFRP Program; one year we will finally have this program figured out and we will not have to make changes. I don’t know when that might be, but I am keeping my fingers crossed it will be sooner rather than later.

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Again, I wish to thank Lane, Griffin, Regional Office leaders and teams, and everyone that has helped to make the Road Shows a great success. I am certain more producers will benefit from that coverage offered by Whole-Farm Revenue Protection and Micro Farm.

– Marcia

Marcia Bunger is the Administrator of USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA). Prior to her appointment, she served as a County Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency. A native South Dakotan, Bunger is also the owner and operator of a 2000-acre farm, a cum laude graduate of Augustana College, and the first member of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community and first woman to serve as RMA Administrator.