Targeted States Program
2018 Crop Insurance in Targeted States (TS) Program

Recipient: AgriLogic Consulting, LLC
Project: Alaska Targeted States Program - Converting Awareness to Action
Project Description: AgriLogic and its partners will build on the success of the previous two years to continue delivering risk management education to Alaska producers. Areas of focus are those in and around Anchorage, Fairbanks, Kenai/Homer, Juneau/Sitka, and Nome. Topics will include crop insurance, NAP, and the importance of record-keeping as it relates to filing farm taxes and WFRP eligibility. Premium quotes, eligibility requirements, sales closing dates, and agent contact information will be provided. The project objective is a better understanding of and greater participation in crop insurance and other USDA programs and a more sustainable Alaska overall.
Award Amount: $193,000
Award Type: TS
State: Alaska
Regional Office: Spokane, WA

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Recipient: Al Jabbar Temple, Inc.
Project: Al Jabbar Crop Insurance Education
Project Description: The project will focus on providing Crop Education and Training on information to livestock, crop, and agriculture producers in Alaska with a special emphasis on pasture, land usage, and forage insurance. Through the use of education, simulation programs, and supported materials the Al Jabbar Crop Education Team has provided over 10 prior successful educational workshops regarding Crop and Risk Management over the last five years. The Al Jabbar Crop learning program lets producers gain critical knowledge on what needs to be implemented with risk management strategies for success. Partnerships in the program will gain insight and increased understanding of the concepts in risk management, thus, learn strategies that will help sustain them in growth using decisions based within the risk management education and training sessions in Alaska.
Award Amount: $10,000
Award Type: TS
State: Alaska
Regional Office: Spokane, WA

Recipient: AgRAEIS
Project: Crop Insurance Program Training for Connecticut Beginning Producers
Project Description: AgRAEIS will work with RMA and the Connecticut FFA Association (CTFFA) to improve Connecticut beginning producers’ awareness, understanding, and utilization of Federal crop insurance programs and other risk management tools. AgRAEIS will reach Connecticut beginning producers through on-site and on-line training events, and social media informational contacts. Content and information will be delivered in both English and Spanish. Beginning producers enrolled in agriculture education programs are the future of Connecticut agriculture and will clearly benefit from training in risk management concepts and crop insurance fundamentals. In targeting CTFFA members, the team is also reaching many beginning women producers, who currently comprise over 50 percent of CTFFA members. The outreach will improve beginning producers’ awareness of available risk management strategies and tools, including Federal crop insurance programs such as RMA's Nursery, PRF, Corn, and WFRP Programs. Producers will also gain expertise in assessing and implementing risk management strategies, including diversification and forward contracting. The training is expected to lead to more frequent and effective utilization of available risk management tools, including Federal crop insurance programs, which will in turn improve the stability and profitability of Connecticut agriculture.
Award Amount: $ 39,240
Award Type: RME
State: Connecticut
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

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Recipient: University of Connecticut
Project: Crop Insurance and Risk Management Education and Information for Connecticut Farmers and Growers
Project Description: Crop insurance products will be promoted to Connecticut farmers and growers.  The use of crop insurance to manage risk, an understanding of how using crop insurance can affect other farm risk management decisions, and sales closing date information will be  emphasized in educational programs. Crop insurance provisions including Whole Farm Revenue Protection, Pasture, Rangeland Forage and the use of written agreements will be highlighted.  Farmer actions resulting from project programs will be identified using evaluation tools.  Project audience is approximately 6,000 Connecticut farmers. Targeted groups include traditional farmers, beginning farmers, farmers that are preparing to retire and are using transition strategies to help new farmers get started, women, veterans, organic producers, legal immigrant farmers, limited resource and socially disadvantaged farmers, new or established farmers that are converting production and marketing systems to pursue new markets, and farmers marketing their products as part of a local or regional food system. Communications to farmers and growers will  provide details on crop insurance programs and other risk management topics. The Connecticut Farm Risk Management and Crop Insurance website and our partnering organizations' websites will also provide information on  crop insurance and programs. Formal evaluation of programs will be conducted by an evaluation specialist.
Award Amount: $ 228,000
Award Type: RME
State: Connecticut
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

Recipient: AgRAEIS
Project: Crop Insurance Program Training for Delaware Beginning Producers
Project Description: AgRAEIS will work with RMA, the Delaware FFA Association (DEFFA) and Delaware State University (DSU) to improve Delaware beginning producers’ awareness, understanding, and utilization of Federal crop insurance programs and other risk management tools. AgRAEIS will reach Delaware beginning producers through on-site and on-line training events,  and social media informational contacts. Content and information will be delivered in both English and Spanish. Beginning producers enrolled in agriculture education programs are the future of Delaware agriculture and will clearly benefit from training in risk management concepts and crop insurance fundamentals. In targeting Delaware beginning producers members, the team is also reaching many beginning women producers, who comprise about 50 percent of DEFFA members. The outreach will improve beginning producers’ awareness of available risk management strategies and tools, including Federal crop insurance programs such as RMA's Nursery, PRF, Corn, and WFRP Programs. Producers will also gain expertise in assessing and implementing risk management strategies, including diversification and forward contracting. The training is expected to lead to more frequent and effective utilization of available risk management tools, including Federal crop insurance programs, which will in turn improve the stability and profitability of Delaware agriculture.
Award Amount: $58,460
Award Type: TS
State: Delaware
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

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Recipient: University of Delaware
Project: Delivering Crop Insurance Education in Delaware
Project Description: The University of Delaware Cooperative Extension will continue to collaborate with Farmers First Services, Inc., Delaware Department of Agriculture, farmer organizations, and other stakeholders to deliver crop insurance education to Delaware producers through an established, experienced and reputable in-state network. Crop insurance is a constantly improving risk management tool. The emergence of Whole Farm Revenue Protection provides producers with more relevant choices. In addition to reaching out to young, beginning, minority, women, specialty crop and organic producers, as well as conventional row crop producers, this project will reach out to non-producer stakeholders in an effort to educate them on the value of crop insurance. Non-producer stakeholders, who are in a strong position to influence producers, will be introduced to the "big picture" of how the financial and production risks inherent in farming can be mitigated through crop insurance and revenue coverage. Educational opportunities will be offered through a variety of mediums, such as group presentations, individual/family consultations, social media, videos, and written material. This project will enhance producers level of confidence in making informed risk management decisions about a range of crop insurance and revenue coverage options which best fit their operation, by sales deadlines.
Award Amount: $224,549
Award Type: TS
State: Delaware
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

Recipient: AgriLogic Consulting, LLC
Project: Hawaii Targeted States Program - Reinforcing the Importance of Risk Management and Confronting New Challenges
Project Description: AgriLogic Consulting, LLC (AgriLogic), in its fifth year, will continue to educate producers of priority agricultural commodities in all Hawaii counties about risk management and related strategies. The target audience includes socially disadvantaged, beginning, immigrant, and limited resource farmers as well as operators of specialty, organic, sustainable and women owned operations. AgriLogic and its partners will continue to offer training through traditional methods such as workshops, on-farm appointments, conferences, meetings, and other venues. Additionally this year, AgriLogic will implement several new and innovative ways of reaching farmers including a 30 minute documentary to help producers understand their risks and the resources that are available in the state, a quarterly Ag Risk lecture series at Kauai Community College, and 12 hour in-lab QuickBooks classes in Maui and Hawaii. Training topics include crop insurance, the importance of record keeping, and an overview of all RMA and other federal, state and local government programs available to assist Hawaii producers to become or remain profitable. Eligibility requirements, sales closing dates, agent contact information, and premium quotes will be provided. The fifth year project goal is to build the foundation for a successful future, both for the individual farmer, as well as the state of Hawaii.
Award Amount: $234,000
Award Type: TS
State: Hawaii     
Regional Office: Davis, CA

Recipient: University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Project: 2018-2020 Crop Insurance Education in Maine
Project Description: The Maine Crop Insurance Education Program will provide quality crop insurance education to Maine farmers so that they are informed of policy options and can make the best decisions for their farm. This will be achieved by reaching farmers at group meetings, one-on-one consultations, hosting farm financial workshops, website, and newsletter articles.  The effectiveness will be measured through farmer evaluations and surveys.  We will leverage connections with farmer groups, as well as state and federal agencies.  To target beginning and diversified farmers we will continue partnerships with the Beginning Farmer Resource Network of Maine and the Maine Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers Association.  New partnerships with the Maine Beef Producers Association and UMaine Sea Grant will ensure that we reach livestock producers and those producing specialty crops eligible under WFRP.    
Award Amount: $238,186
Award Type: TS
State: Maine
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

Recipient: AgRAEIS
Project: Crop Insurance Program Training for Maryland Beginning Producers
Project Description: AgRAEIS will work with RMA and the Maryland FFA Association (MDFFA) and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) to improve Maryland (MD) beginning producers’ awareness, understanding, and utilization of Federal crop insurance programs and other risk management tools. AgRAEIS will reach MD beginning producers through onsite and online training events, and informational contacts. Content and information will be delivered in both English and Spanish. Beginning producers enrolled in agriculture education programs are the future of MD agriculture and will clearly benefit from training in risk management concepts and crop insurance fundamentals. In targeting Maryland beginning producers, the team is also reaching many beginning women producers, who comprise about 50 percent of MDFFA members. The outreach will improve beginning producers’ awareness of available risk management strategies and tools, including Federal crop insurance programs such as RMA's Nursery, PRF, Corn, and WFRP Programs. Producers will also gain expertise in assessing and implementing risk management strategies, including diversification and forward contracting. The training is expected to lead to more frequent / effective utilization of available risk management tools, including Federal crop insurance programs, which will in turn improve the stability and profitability of MD agriculture.
Award Amount: $74,920
Award Type: TS
State: Maryland
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

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Recipient: Maryland Department of Agriculture
Project: Crop Insurance Promotion and Education for Maryland Farmers
Project Description: Maryland Department of Agriculture is partnering with the University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources to promote crop insurance and provide educational outreach to Maryland farmers. MDA will use direct mail to its lists of Maryland farmers to promote crop insurance in four newsletters, postcards with deadline reminders and a calendar. In addition, MDA will work with agricultural newspapers to promote crop insurance and explain best practices for its use. The University of Maryland will conduct workshops for farmers, with special emphasis on women farmers, young beginning farmers, specialty crop producers, grain farmers and dairy farmers. Additionally, presentations will be given to urban farmers. The University of Maryland will update existing publications to reflect changes to the crop insurance program in Maryland. MDA and the University of Maryland provide the most effective means of reaching farmers in the state with crop insurance information. MDA was created by the Maryland General Assembly and Governor to provide programs such as the outreach envisioned in Targeted States for farmers. UMD Cooperative Extension works with MDA in each county in the state, as the lead in education.
Award Amount: $242,080
Award Type: TS
State: Maryland
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

Recipient: Custom Ag Solutions
Project: Crop Insurance Training and Promotion for Massachusetts Beginning Producers
Project Description: Custom Ag Solutions (CAS) will work with RMA and the Massachusetts FFA Association (MassFFA) to improve Massachusetts (MA) beginning producers’ awareness, understanding, and utilization of Federal crop insurance programs and other risk management tools. CAS will reach MA beginning producers through on-site and  on-line training events, and social media informational contacts. Content and information will be delivered in both English and Spanish. Beginning producers enrolled in agriculture education programs are the future of MA agriculture and will clearly benefit from training in risk management concepts and crop insurance fundamentals. In targeting MassFFA members, the team is also reaching many beginning women producers, who currently comprise over 50 percent of MassFFA members. The outreach will improve beginning producers’ awareness of available risk management strategies and tools, including Federal crop insurance programs such as RMA's Nursery, PRF, Corn, and WFRP Programs. Producers will also gain expertise in assessing and implementing risk management strategies, including diversification and forward contracting. The training is expected to lead to more frequent and effective utilization of available risk management tools, including Federal crop insurance programs, which will in turn improve the stability and profitability of MA agriculture.
Award Amount: $47,340
Award Type: TS
State: Massachusetts
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

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Recipient: University of Massachusetts (UMass) Extension
Project: UMass Extension Comprehensive Crop Insurance/Risk Management Education Program
Project Description: UMass Extension will continue to develop and deliver a comprehensive crop insurance/risk management education program geared towards all Massachusetts agricultural producers while specifically targeting beginning, legal immigrant, organic, socially disadvantaged producers and groups historically identified as having very limited or no knowledge of Federal Crop Insurance programs.  UMass Extension will build upon the effective working relationships that have been established with partner organizations during the 5 years of Targeted States Programs administered in Massachusetts. The program will be delivered through: workshops and field days conducted by UMass Extension Staff; field days and meetings in cooperation with our established partner organizations; exhibiting at agricultural trade shows; disseminating information through UMass Extension publications and cooperating partners; direct electronic mailings to producers and to partner organizations for distribution to their members; a webpage devoted to Federal Crop Insurance; a Facebook Page; and, finally the opportunity for producers to have “one-on-one” sessions to individually discuss their specific needs in a private, comfortable and unbiased setting. The diversification, both in crops and marketing, of Massachusetts’ agriculture distinguishes Massachusetts from many other parts of the country.  UMass Extension will utilize its considerable resources and knowledge to deliver a program to benefit all agricultural producers in Massachusetts. 
Award Amount: $225,000
Award Type: TS
State: Massachusetts
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

Recipient: University of Nevada, Reno
Project: 2018 Nevada Risk Management Crop and Livestock Targeted States Education Project
Project Description: The “Nevada Risk Management Targeted States Crop and Livestock Targeted States Education project” will help producers understand existing and emerging federal crop/livestock insurance products in Nevada. The project team consists of faculty from the University of Nevada, Reno. Partnerships include USDA, American Indian Tribes, Nevada Cattlemen’s Association, Nevada Farm Bureau, and Nevada Agricultural Foundation. This statewide project consists of the following programming: American Indian crop/livestock insurance program and how to sign up for crop insurance; financial record keeping (whole farm) and managing risk under the new tax laws; education on rainfall index and drought monitor to manage risk on Nevada rangelands; utilizing decision trees related to livestock market decision making (LRP); high school, agriculture in the classroom, and beef quality assurance risk management education to increase knowledge of agricultural risk; and an agricultural market outlook for hay, cattle and dairies. This project will build upon previous funded projects creating decision tree models related to managing risk utilizing RMA insurance tools. The team will work with partners to increase the social media presence to advertise sales closing dates and overall program information.
Award Amount: $239,000
Award Type: TS
State: Nevada     
Regional Office: Davis, CA

Recipient: Custom Ag Solutions
Project: Crop Insurance Training and Promotion for New Hampshire Beginning Producers
Project Description: Custom Ag Solutions (CAS) will work with RMA and the Granite State FFA Association
(GSFFA) to improve New Hampshire (NH) beginning producers’ awareness, understanding, and utilization of Federal crop insurance programs and other risk management tools. CAS will reach NH beginning producers through on-site and on-line training events, and social media informational contacts. Content and information will be delivered in both English and Spanish. Beginning producers enrolled in agriculture education programs are the future of NH agriculture and will clearly benefit from training in risk management concepts and crop insurance fundamentals. In targeting GSFFA members, the team is also reaching many beginning women producers, who currently comprise well over half of GSFFA members. The outreach will improve beginning producers’ awareness of available risk management strategies and tools, including Federal crop insurance programs such as RMA's Nursery, PRF, Corn, and WFRP Programs. Producers will also gain expertise in assessing and implementing risk management strategies, including diversification and forward contracting. The training is expected to lead to more frequent and effective utilization of available risk management tools, including Federal crop insurance programs, which will in turn improve the stability and profitability of NH agriculture.
Award Amount: $29,979
Award Type: TS
State: New Hampshire
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

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Recipient: University of New Hampshire
Project: 2018-2020 Crop Insurance and Risk Management Education for New Hampshire Farmers
Project Description: UNH Extension, in partnership with USDA RMA, NH Department of Agriculture, USDA FSA, NH Farm Bureau and producer organizations will reach NH farmers through educational events which will address strategies and techniques for managing production, marketing, financial and human resource risks. These events will incorporate efforts to help farmers understand the kinds of risks addressed by crop insurance, features of existing and emerging crop insurance policies, use of crop insurance to manage risks, effects crop insurance coverage may have on other management decisions, and importance of making informed decisions about crop insurance prior to sales closing dates.Educational events will include 12 full and half-day workshops and conferences, 3 multi-day intensive training sessions, and four webinars with multiple sites. Programs offered will cover the diverse enterprises and markets found in NH with emphasis on beginning farmers and farmers converting production and marketing systems to reach new markets. Intensive training efforts will also be directed toward immigrant farmers. In addition through promotional efforts, a much larger audience of farmers will learn about the features, kinds of risks covered, and closing dates of crop insurance policies. Promotional efforts planned include radio broadcasts, websites, news releases, digital marketing, and personal Emails.
Award Amount: $202901
Award Type: TS
State: New Hampshire
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

Recipient: New Jersey Department of Agriculture
Project: New Jersey Comprehensive Risk Management Education for Agricultural Producers
Project Description: NJDA with historical and substantial RMA involvement, will develop and implement a program that ensures NJ farmers are informed to take advantage of existing and emerging crop insurance products.  NJDA, in partnership with NJ-SADC, NJ-FFA, NJ Junior Breeders', Rutgers University, will help producers understand: risk management tools; mitigation of risks; effects of crop insurance associated with production, marketing and management decisions; financial benchmarking; features of existing/emerging crop insurance products including WFR  and Supplemental Coverage Options; record-keeping and planning; estate planning; rainfall index; and how to make informed decisions prior to sale deadlines.  Education/outreach will focus on traditional, new/beginning, women, socially disadvantaged, apiculturists, veterans, livestock, and organic farmers. Through research, surveys, and core education efforts a holistic assessment will be conducted with the goal of improving comprehension of RMA's core goals and programs. NJDA's balanced approach of education, outreach and evaluation should increase the long term effectiveness and sustainability. 
Award Amount: $252,000
Award Type: TS
State: New Jersey
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

Recipient: Custom Ag Solutions
Project: Crop Insurance and Risk Management Training for New York Beginning Producers
Project Description: Custom Ag Solutions (CAS) will work with RMA and the New York FFA Association (NYFFA) to improve New York (NY) beginning producers’ awareness, understanding, and utilization of Federal crop insurance programs and other risk management tools. CAS will reach NY beginning producers through on-site and on-line training events, and social media informational contacts. Content and information will be delivered in both English and Spanish. Beginning producers enrolled in agriculture education programs are the future of NY agriculture and will clearly benefit from training in risk management concepts and crop insurance fundamentals. In targeting NYFFA members, the team is also reaching many beginning women producers, who currently comprise over 50 percent of NYFFA members The outreach will improve beginning producers’ awareness of available risk management strategies and tools, including Federal crop insurance programs such as RMA's Nursery, Corn, PRF, and WFRP Programs. Producers will also gain expertise in assessing and implementing risk management strategies, including diversification and forward contracting. The training is expected to lead to more frequent and effective utilization of available risk management tools, including Federal crop insurance programs, which will in turn improve the stability and profitability of NY agriculture.
Award Amount: $84,217
Award Type: TS
State: New York
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

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Recipient: Cornell University
Project: New York Crop Insurance and Risk Management Education Project
Project Description: We will support New York farmers to make informed risk management and crop insurance decisions through face-to-face training, trade show participation, diverse print advertisements, and a variety educational materials disseminated both in-person and online. Our 16 partnerships, mostly local cooperative extension teams, will allow us to reach nearly all regions, demographics and specializations of NY agriculture. Our partners will play a key role in development of education materials and innovative delivery methods. Our programming will focus on crop insurance basics, PRF, crop insurance options for dairy farms, and WFRP, as well as topics designed to meet the needs of underserved farmers such as women, veteran, and young and beginning farmers. We will add farm risk management and record keeping components to our programming to allow us to reach a broader audience. Regular evaluation will be a part of our programming, including accounting for producers who take action after participating in our events, tracking the circulation of paid and earned media, and monitoring use of our online resources. 
Award Amount: $441,264
Award Type: TS
State: New York
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

Recipient: National Crop Insurance Services
Project: Crop Insurance and Risk Management Education in Pennsylvania 2018-2020
Project Description: Objective is to ensure Pennsylvania farmers and ranchers are sufficiently informed, enabling them to take full advantage of existing and emerging crop insurance products, minimizing their exposure to environmental and financial risks.  Project consists of three general components: 1) producer education on crop insurance, 2) intensive workshops for beginning, small, and limited resource farmers, and, 3) general risk management and crop insurance information. Output includes: webinars covering insurance options for insurable crops in Pennsylvania; video testimonials of Pennsylvania farmers who use crop insurance to manage risks; intensive workshops for beginning farmers where they receive classroom instruction and supervised individual study, resulting in their own Personal Risk Management Plans; monthly newsletter promoting activities and highlighting program successes; participation at commodity association meetings, conferences, trade-shows and Ag events; publication titled, “Pennsylvania Guide to Crop Insurance and Risk Management,” in electronic and hard-copy format; participation in Extension workshops; and hosting the annual Pennsylvania Crop Insurance Conference. As a result, Pennsylvania farmers will understand crop insurance product features, record-keeping and reporting requirements, how indemnities are determined, how to find an agent, the application process, and where to go to get questions answered.
Award Amount: $580,000
Award Type: TS
State: Pennsylvania
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

Recipient: National Crop Insurance Services
Project: Risk Management and Crop Insurance Education for Rhode Island Growers 2018-19
Project Description: We will use extension meetings, RMA fact sheet e-mailings, newsletters, websites, and one-on- one meetings to make sure Rhode Island growers are fully informed regarding risk management tools and crop insurance products. We will emphasize Whole-Farm Revenue Protection. We will include write-ups of recent crop insurance meetings, upcoming sales closing dates, insurance providers, and contacts for additional information in these newsletters. Risk management and crop insurance will be introduced to beginning producers. We will offer educational meetings that have been well attended in the past which have included some aspect of crop production (pruning, cover crops, organic growing) or integrated pest management, with pesticide recertification credits offered where appropriate.
Award Amount: $203,000
Award Type: TS
State: Rhode Island
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

Recipient: Custom Ag Solutions
Project: Crop Insurance Training and Promotion for Utah Agricultural Producers
Project Description: Custom Ag Solutions (CAS) will work with RMA and seven partner organizations to improve Utah producers' awareness, understanding, and utilization of Federal crop insurance programs and other risk management tools. CAS will reach 3,125 producers through 60 training events and 17,500 producers (70,000 impressions) through 16 informational contacts (e.g., newsletters, social media posts). The outreach will improve producers' awareness of available risk management strategies and tools, including Federal crop insurance programs such as RMA's LRP, PRF, and WFRP Programs. Building on previous years' efforts, CAS will 1) extend the reach of its Farming is Risky Business workshops and 2) pursue new producer contacts through social media and Spanish content translation and promotion. Producers will gain expertise in assessing and implementing relevant risk management strategies and tools leading to more effective utilization of Federal crop insurance programs that will improve the profitability of Utah agricultural operations.
Award Amount: $293,000
Award Type: TS
State: Utah     
Regional Office: Davis, CA

Recipient: University of Vermont
Project: Crop Insurance and Risk Management Education in Vermont 2018-2020
Project Description: The Vermont Crop Insurance and Risk Management Education project will deliver comprehensive crop insurance and risk management education aimed at all agricultural producers, with increased efforts focused on established producers, to inform them about changes in options and some of the newer insurance products, such as WFRP and PRF, and reach out to those who have not utilized crop insurance in the past; organic producers, because the number of Vermont farms transitioning to organic production continues to increase; livestock producers, as we see more farms adding livestock as part of their efforts to diversify; and small farms, since 79% of Vermont farms have sales under $50,000. Building on 16 years of successful Targeted States projects in Vermont, the team involved in this project will include faculty and staff from the University of Vermont, project partner NOFA-VT and established alliances throughout the agricultural community. Education will be provided in a variety of formats; this project will increase outreach efforts in smaller group meeting and workshop activities and individual consultations, with the goal of supporting farmers’ risk management planning.
Award Amount: $240,000
Award Type: TS
State: Vermont
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

Recipient: AgRAEIS
Project: Crop Insurance Program Training for West Virginia Beginning Producers
Project Description: AgRAEIS will work with RMA and the West Virginia FFA Association (WVFFA) to improve West Virginia (WV) beginning producers’ awareness, understanding, and utilization of Federal crop insurance programs and other risk management tools. AgRAEIS will reach WV beginning producers through on-site and on-line training events, and social media informational contacts. Content and information will be delivered in both English and Spanish. Beginning producers enrolled in agriculture education programs are the future of WV agriculture and will clearly benefit from training in risk management concepts and crop insurance fundamentals. In targeting WVFFA members, the team is also reaching many beginning women producers, who currently comprise around 50 percent of WVFFA members. The outreach will improve beginning producers’ awareness of available risk management strategies and tools, including Federal crop insurance programs such as RMA's LRP, PRF, Corn, and WFRP Programs. Producers will also gain expertise in assessing and implementing risk management strategies, including diversification and forward contracting. The training is expected to lead to more frequent and effective utilization of available risk management tools, including Federal crop insurance programs, which will in turn improve the stability and profitability of WV agriculture.
Award Amount: $64,814
Award Type: TS
State: West Virginia
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

Recipient: University of Wyoming
Project: Providing Risk Management Education on Forage, Livestock, and other Insurance Products, as well as Risk in Agriculture for Beginning, Retiring/Transitioning, and Other Farmers/Ranchers/Interested Individuals in Wyoming 2018-19
Project Description: The overall goal is to ensure that farmers/ranchers in Wyoming are well-informed of risk management alternatives to allow them to take full advantage of existing insurance products and other risk controls. Educational outputs will be made available, but not limited to: 1) Livestock producers; 2) Beginning farmers/ranchers; 3) Producers converting production and marketing systems to pursue new markets; 4) Farmers/ranchers preparing to retire/transition; and 5) Established producers. A multidimensional approach will be used to provide education under four broad objectives, including: OBJECTIVE 1: Develop new educational materials, specifically: a) Bulletins addressing: (i) Is Pasture, Rangeland, Forage – Rainfall Index Effective Risk Management for Livestock Operators and (ii) Is Livestock Risk Protection Effective Risk Management for Livestock Operators; and b) A module offering a continuous, online, blended-learning experience covering risk management concepts and their application titled: Understanding Risk in Agriculture. OBJECTIVE 2: Offer educational programs directly to managers of Wyoming farms and ranches through producer education programs. OBJECTIVE 3: Provide educational programs to Wyoming’s small, beginning, and limited resource farmers and ranchers. OBJECTIVE 4: Develop and offer media-based education on risk management alternatives and available crop/livestock insurance products statewide via articles in agricultural and local newspapers and producer-organization newsletters.
Award Amount: $287,000
Award Type: TS
State: Wyoming
Regional Office: Billings, MT