USDA Risk Management Agency

RMA’s Business Analytics Division, in partnership with Tarleton State University, are recipients of a 2024 award, given by the world’s largest Esri GIS User’s Conference. The Esri SAG Awards highlight users that have shown vision, leadership, hard work, and innovation.    The award was given based on the team’s innovative work using advanced technology and geographical information systems (GIS) to support the investigative process in crop insurance claims.  RMA Data Scientist Jeffrey Bloomquist shares, “It was an amazing honor to be part of the USDA RMA Business Analytics Team SAG Award. Our team has spent this week with the geospatial community of the world. The Esri International User Conference is always an amazing experience to reconnect and plan for future geospatial projects.”  Congratulations to our Business Analytics Division and Tarleton State University! Your work as part of the Compliance Division of RMA helps ensure that Federal crop insurance is free of fraud, waste, and abuse. It also improves the claims process for producers. RMA appreciates your accomplishments.    

Reminder to join RMA on July 18th at 2pm CDT to learn about Nursery Value Select!

This year has been particularly active for natural disasters across the country. Flooding in the north, wildfires in the west, drought in the east, hurricane in the south... just to name a few. One of the best ways to protect your farm from loss is to have crop insurance in place. However, you need to purchase before the applicable sales closing date, and you need to make sure you purchase the coverage that matches the risks your farm is likely to experience. Remember to plan to have your crop insurance conversations early so your farm can have the protection it needs. Learn more about natural disasters and crop insurance. https://lnkd.in/gH8aMhF3 Find a crop insurance agent near you. https://lnkd.in/eccXPDKU

The USDA Risk Management Agency has been hard at work, developing the Final Rule on Expanding Options for Specialty and Organic Growers (EOSOG). This expansion includes the availability of enterprise and optional units. The EOSOG Final Rule updated 21 policies. So, what key improvements can specialty and organic growers look forward to? EOSOG experts, Kai Lucas and Jeremy Fredrickson, highlight that by expanding the availability of enterprise and optional units to specialty and perennial crops, producers who are transitioning from conventional methods to organic farming methods are now able to separate the acreage farmed under those methods onto different insurable units in a more cost-effective way.   Premium discounts are offered for enterprise units because there is a lower risk due to the geographic diversification.   These improvements were made in response to the requests of specialty and organic producers seeking more opportunities to manage their risk and lower insurance costs. For most crops with updated policies, these changes will be in effect for the 2025 crop year. Read the press release for EOSOG Final Rule to learn more, especially a preview of other upcoming changes that will be of interest to specialty and organic growers.   https://lnkd.in/gEhq6QNG  📸 Photo Credit: USDA 

The USDA Risk Management Agency stands committed to make meaningful progress on ensuring that all producers have equitable access to our programs. RMA Administrator, Marcia Bunger, had the opportunity to visit the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation to join USDA leaders and community stakeholders for the Pacific Northwest Equity Convening.  "It was an immensely humbling experience to have the chance to directly engage with community leaders, producers, and federal employees to center the work being done thanks to the leadership of the Equity Commission and this Administration's commitment to equity", Administrator Bunger shared.    USDA Chief of Staff, Katharine Ferguson, led the day's proceedings and spoke from the heart about the Department's goal to truly live up to our name as the People's Department. Attendees spent an entire day sharing stories, experiences, and resources. Read more about the work and recommendations of the USDA Equity Commission.   https://lnkd.in/e4mmvKCX    Watch this video to learn about journey of USDA’s Equity Commission.   https://lnkd.in/gSD5_aQT  

Happy Independence Day from all of us here at the USDA Risk Management Agency! Celebrations across the country are supported by farmers who work tirelessly to bring food to our tables. We are proud to protect their hard work with Federal crop insurance.  

The Building Resiliency Pilot Program is a collaborative effort between the Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC), Alcorn State University, Annie's Project, and Rural Coalition. This initiative aims to establish a pipeline of crop insurance agents and adjusters within underserved communities, increasing representation and accessibility of insurance services for producers. Learn more about Increasing the Impact of Crop Insurance with the Building Resiliency Training Pilot Program: https://lnkd.in/gYD6i5pW Learn about the Building Resiliency Pilot Program status and participating states: https://lnkd.in/g9RjUx6i Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/Davids C

Nursery Value Select, a crop insurance policy designed for plant nurseries, is becoming available nationwide. It is also getting a number of improvements. Join RMA to learn more about these changes.     Read more about Nursery Value Select, watch educational videos, or add the webinar to your calendar.   https://lnkd.in/gVtZhcjt     Photo Credit: USDA 

Exploring ways to improve risk management on the farm is a top priority at RMA. For Specialty and Organic Growers, we are excited to announce the expansion of coverage options including the availability of enterprise and optional units beginning crop year 2025. Read more about this expansion and additional policy improvements for Specialty and Organic Producers: https://lnkd.in/gEhq6QNG

If you’re attending the 2024 League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) National Convention at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, NV this week, visit RMA’s booth located in the Expo and Career Fair! Come meet our team at booth #431 to learn more about our programs, working for RMA, and career opportunities. Career Fair Hours in Pacific Time are:   Wednesday, June 26 - 10:00 am - 5:00 pm  Thursday, June 27 - 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Friday, June 28 - 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Read more about the LULAC Career Fair here: https://lnkd.in/eDEmgQnC   We hope to see you there!