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2017 Crop Insurance in Targeted States Program

Maine

Recipient: UMaine Cooperative Extension
Project: 2017-2018 Crop Insurance Education in Maine
Project Description: The goal of the 2017-2018 Crop Insurance Education in Maine program is to provide all Maine farmers the most current and relevant information about crop insurance so that they are equipped to make informed risk management decisions for their businesses. We will achieve this goal by conducting various forms of in-person education throughout Maine including educator-to-farmer consultations, presentations at farmer meetings, and by hosting farm financial and record keeping workshops. Farmers will receive crop insurance information throughout the year through newsletters and online media. While we aim to reach all Maine farmers, partnerships will be formed to increase our access to livestock and grass producers, diversified vegetable and small fruit farmers, and beginning farmers. Working with these groups will allow us to provide in-depth training on the Rainfall Index and Whole Farm Revenue Protection programs. We expect to reach 1,500 farmers in over 600 hours of in-person training. We will also reach farmers 20,000 times through publications and online media. The effectiveness of our program will be measured through farmer evaluations and surveys. As a result of our efforts we expect Maine farmers will increase their understanding of crop insurance and it’s purpose, requirements, and value to farm businesses.
Award Amount: $214,007
Award Type: TS
State: Maine
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

West Virginia

Recipient: West Virginia University Research Corporation
Project: Risk Management Education for Farmers in the Targeted State of West Virginia for 2017 - 2018
Project Description: The 2017-2018 WV Targeted States award targets 4,470 farm families in many different approaches. We have assigned specific staff members to develop media relations and content and other staff will lead the community teaching as well as our evaluation work, which will be guided by the WVU Agriculture & Extension Education Department. Our leading events include the 56 class Winter Educational Series and the WV Small Farm Conference. The other activities include partnering with Annie’s Project, The Mountaineer Cattlemen’s College, beginning farmers training, two food-based symposia, and the Farm Bureau lecture series. The total training hours in this proposal total 27,279. This proposal includes an intergenerational training initiative where transitioning farmers teach beginning farmers to live on a farm. We target 5 Strike Force counties in the WV coalfields with special production and risk management training. We have also added a new radio promotion program that targets 60 stations located around the state. We have partnered with 14 different groups, agencies and university programs, which will assure good farmer participation because of their help designing this proposal. At projects end 2,056 farmers will report that because of this training they can better manage their risk and grow their businesses.
Award Amount: $245,000
Award Type: TS
State: West Virginia
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

Recipient: AgRAEIS
Project: Risk Management and Crop Insurance Program Training and Promotion for West Virginia Beginning Producers
Project Description: AgRAEIS will work with RMA and the West Virginia FFA Association (WVFFA) to improve West Virginia beginning producers’ awareness, understanding, and utilization of Federal crop insurance programs and other risk management tools. AgRAEIS will reach 800 producers through 16 training events and 4,700 producers (37,600 impressions) through 8 informational contacts (e.g., emails, social media posts, etc.). Content will be offered in both English and Spanish. Beginning producers enrolled in agriculture education programs are the future of West Virginia 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 45 percent of FFA members nationwide. 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 West Virginia agriculture.
Award Amount: $56,700
Award Type: TS
State: West Virginia
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

Connecticut

Recipient: University of Connecticut
Project: Crop Insurance and Risk Management Education 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 and the Pasture, Rangeland, Forage programs will be highlighted. Farmer actions resulting from project programs will be identified using evaluation tools. Project audience is approximately 6,000 Connecticut farmers and growers. Targeted groups include 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: $231,000
Award Type: TS
State: Connecticut
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

Recipient: AgRAEIS
Project: Risk Management and Crop Insurance Program Training and Promotion 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 400 producers through 8 training events and 3,400 producers (27,200 impressions) through 8 informational contacts (e.g., emails, social media posts, etc.). Content and information will be offered 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 45 percent of FFA members nationwide.

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: $33,460
Award Type: TS
State: Connecticut
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

Massachusetts

Recipient: University of Massachusetts (UMass) Extension
Project: UMass Extension Comprehensive Crop Insurance/Risk Management Education Program
Project Description: UMass Extension will deliver a comprehensive crop insurance/risk management education program aimed at all agricultural producers in Massachusetts 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 relationships established during the 4 years of past Targeted States Programs in Massachusetts. The program will be delivered through multiple, established avenues including: workshops and field days conducted by UMass Extension Staff; field days and meetings in cooperation with partner organizations; exhibiting at agricultural trade shows; disseminating information through UMass Extension publications and cooperating partner organizations; direct electronic mailings to producers and to partner organizations for distribution to their members; a webpage devoted to crop insurance within the UMass Extension web network; 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, non-pressured and unbiased setting. The risks, diversification and uniqueness of Massachusetts’ agriculture separates farming in Massachusetts from other parts of the country. UMass Extension will utilize its considerable resources and knowledge to deliver a program that will benefit all agricultural producers in Massachusetts.
Award Amount: $226,918
Award Type: TS
State: Massachusetts
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

Recipient: Custom Ag Solutions
Project: Risk Management and Crop Insurance Program 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 beginning producers’ awareness, understanding, and utilization of Federal crop insurance programs and other risk management tools. CAS will reach 500 beginning producers through 10 training events and 2,000 beginning producers (16,000 impressions) through 8 informational contacts (e.g., newsletters, emails, social media posts, etc.). Content and information will be offered in both English and Spanish. Beginning producers enrolled in agriculture education programs are the future of Massachusetts 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, Cranberry, 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 Massachusetts agriculture.

Award Amount: $39,900
Award Type: TS
State: Massachusetts
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

Alaska

Recipient: AgriLogic Consulting, LLC
Project: Alaska Targeted States Program - Building the Foundation for a Successful Future
Project Description: During its second year, AgriLogic, working in conjunction with its partners, will continue to deliver risk management education to Alaska producers. Areas of focus are those in and around Anchorage/Palmer, Fairbanks/Delta Junction/Copper Center, and Kenai/Homer. Targeted audience includes all Alaska producers with a special emphasis on beginning, specialty, small, diversified, sustainable, women, socially disadvantaged, immigrant, limited resource, and traditional farms. Training will be delivered through large venue-conference events, on-farm appointments, local meetings, and workshops. The crop insurance website developed in Year 1 will be maintained and updated as needed. AgriLogic will develop mini-modules for each of the risk management curriculum components which will be available on-demand through YouTube. Four farmer testimonial videos will be recorded and distributed via YouTube and other training platforms. QuickBooks classes will be offered to encourage record-keeping. A monthly risk management E-newsletter will be compiled and distributed. 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: $203,000
Award Type: TS
State: Alaska
Regional Office: Spokane, WA

Hawaii

Recipient: AgriLogic Consulting, LLC
Project: Hawaii Targeted States Program - Building the Foundation for a Successful Future
Project Description: AgriLogic Consulting, LLC (AgriLogic), in its fourth 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 (including two new partners this year) 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 monthly risk management E-newsletter, mini-modules, two Farmer Expos (a two-day event on Big Island and a one day event on Kauai), and QuickBooks classes on Oahu for the first time. 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 fourth 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: $237,000
Award Type: TS
State: Hawaii
Regional Office: Davis, CA

New York

Recipient: Cornell University
Project: New York Crop Insurance and Risk Management Education Project
Project Description: We will support New York farmers to make informed crop insurance decisions through web-based crop insurance information, diverse advertisements, articles, trade shows, and face-to-face meetings. Educational materials and outreach activities will be developed to meet the needs of specific producer specializations or groups, including underserved farmers such as women, veteran, and young and beginning farmers. Many media and outreach activities will be scheduled to maximize exposure to crop insurance information in advance of the major March 15 deadline as well as other New York-specific deadlines. We will realize producer contacts through diverse, targeted media. To evaluate our efforts, we will count producers who say they will analyze their situation and call an agent after our presentations, track the circulation of paid and earned media, and monitor use of our online resources.
Award Amount: $452,000
Award Type: TS
State: New York
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

Recipient: Custom Ag Solutions
Project: Risk Management and Crop Insurance Program Training and Promotion 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 beginning producers’ awareness, understanding, and utilization of Federal crop insurance programs and other risk management tools. CAS will reach 800 beginning producers through 16 training events and 4,500 beginning producers (36,000 impressions) through 8 informational contacts (e.g., emails, social media posts, etc.). Content and information will be offered in English and Spanish. Beginning producers enrolled in agriculture education programs are the future of New York 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 around 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, 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 likely improve the stability and profitability of New York agriculture.

Award Amount: $59,800
Award Type: TS
State: New York
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

Nevada

Recipient: University of Nevada, Reno
Project: 2017 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 programs 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 use crop insurance to manage risk; financial record keeping (whole farm) for indoor agriculture in southern Nevada; climate education on rainfall index and drought monitor to make informed decisions on public and private lands; livestock market decision making (LRP); high school and agriculture in the classroom risk management education to increase knowledge of risks addressed by crop insurance; and an agricultural market outlook for hay, cattle and dairies. Specific holistic agricultural risk management scenarios will be created utilizing insurance products under each of the programs. The team will work with RMA and insurance agents to create scenarios, advertise, and provide outreach on sales closing dates. We also want to expand our social media targeted marketing and connect with the agricultural risk management decision making for Nevada agriculture producers.
Award Amount: $243,000
Award Type: TS
State: Nevada
Regional Office: Davis, CA

Delaware

Recipient: University of Delaware
Project: 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 and risk management education to Delaware producers through an established and reputable in-state network. Program changes resulting from the 2014 Farm Bill make the success of farm operations increasingly dependent on their risk management decisions. Newer tools like Whole Farm Revenue Protection, as well as enhancements to more traditional crop insurance tools, provide producers with choices, which this project will highlight in Crop Insurance 101. The project will reach out to young, beginning, minority, women, specialty crop and organic/sustainable producers, as well as conventional row crop operations, from the smallest to the largest. To address the diverse range of Delaware producers, and their learning styles, educational opportunities will be offered through a variety of mediums including presentations, hands-on activities, individual/family consultations, social media, video vignettes, and written materials. As a result of participating in this project, producers will feel confident in making informed decisions about a range of crop insurance and revenue coverage options, by sales closing deadlines, to best manage their production, price, and revenue risk.
Award Amount: $266,801
Award Type: TS
State: Delaware
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

Recipient: AgRAEIS
Project: Risk Management and Crop Insurance Program Training and Promotion for Delaware Beginning Producers
Project Description: AgRAEIS will work with RMA and the Delaware FFA Association (DEFFA) to improve Delaware beginning producers’ awareness, understanding, and utilization of Federal crop insurance programs and other risk management tools. AgRAEIS will reach 600 beginning producers through 12 training events and 12,000 beginning producers (96,000 impressions) through 8 informational contacts (e.g., newsletters, emails, social media posts, etc.). Content and information will be offered 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 DEFFA members, the team is also reaching many beginning women producers, who currently comprise 45 percent of FFA members nationwide. 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: $49,480
Award Type: TS
State: Delaware
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

Vermont

Recipient: University of Vermont
Project: Crop Insurance and Risk Management Education for Vermont 2017-18
Project Description: The University of Vermont (UVM) and education partner, Northeast Organic Farming Association-Vermont, (NOFA-VT) have successfully delivered the Targeted States program for the past 15 years. For 2017-18, we plan 62 education events, 213 farm visits, 7800 direct contacts with 4470 for program evaluations, and 15 direct individual media contacts. As in past years we will go where the farmers go, reaching them at ag workshops and conferences. For 2017-18, we are focusing greater efforts at program evaluation and to reach farmers we have failed to reach in the past. Understanding our clientele is important as 49% of Vermont farmers have sales under $10,000 while 75% of farm income is from dairy. We will be reaching more agribusinesses, and assisting the maple and organic dairy to develop financial and production benchmarks for use by the sectors. While workshops remain the primary educational contact, we have found one-on-one farm visits to most effective and most expensive method of risk management education. An example is the UVM Extension Farm Viability which helps farmers to develop business plans and risk management strategies. We will be reaching out to all farmers this year to increase the use of crop insurance, wholefarm revenue insurance, and desired risk management tools.
Award Amount: $243,000
Award Type: TS
State: Vermont
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

Wyoming

Recipient: University of Wyoming
Project: Risk Management Education Addressing: Crop Insurance Availability; Evaluating Risk Strategies; and Risk Management for Beginning, Retiring/Transitioning, and Other Farmers/Ranchers/Interested Individuals in Wyoming 2017-18
Project Description: The overall goal is to ensure that farmers/ranchers in Wyoming are well-informed of risk management solutions to allow them to take full advantage of crop insurance 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 that describe: (i) Available RMA crop insurance products (Crop Insurance 101) and (ii) Whole-Farm Revenue Protection and its use as a risk mitigation tool; b) a module offering a continuous, online, blended learning experience covering risk management concepts and their application for Evaluating Risk Strategies.
OBJECTIVE 2: Offer onsite/online educational programs directly to managers of Wyoming farms and ranches through producer programs and risk management institutes.
OBJECTIVE 3: Provide onsite/online 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 insurance products state-wide via articles in agricultural and local newspapers and producer-organization newsletters.

Award Amount: $294,000
Award Type: TS
State: Wyoming
Regional Office: Billings, MT

New Hampshire

Recipient: UNH Cooperative Extension
Project: 2017-18 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 790 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 14 full and half-day workshops and conferences, 4 multi-day intensive training sessions, and two 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: $203,254
Award Type: TS
State: New Hampshire
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

Recipient: Custom Ag Solutions
Project: Risk Management and Crop Insurance Program Training and Promotion for New Hampshire Beginning Producers
Project Description: Custom Ag Solutions (CAS) will work with RMA and the Granite State FFA Association (NHFFA) to improve New Hampshire beginning producers’ awareness, understanding, and utilization of Federal crop insurance programs and other risk management tools. CAS will reach 300 beginning producers through 7 training events and 450 beginning producers (3,600 impressions) through 8 informational contacts (e.g., newsletters, emails, social media posts, etc.). Content and information will be offered 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 NHFFA members, the team is also reaching many beginning women producers, who currently comprise over 50 percent of NHFFA 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 likely improve the stability and profitability of NH agriculture.
Award Amount: $29,900
Award Type: TS
State: New Hampshire
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

Maryland

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 4 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. Additionally, MDA will be working with young farmer organizations in the state to target young and beginning farmers with social media information featuring peers as models in using crop insurance. 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, one presentation will be given to urban farmers. MDA and the University of Maryland provide the most effective means of reaching farmer 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. Cooperative Extension works with MDA, hand-in-glove, in each county in the state, as the lead in education.
Award Amount: $312,000
Award Type: TS
State: Maryland
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

Pennsylvania

Recipient: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
Project: 2017-2018 Crop Insurance Education Program
Project Description: The 2017-2018 Crop Insurance Education Grant will help producers better understand and utilize the many risk management options available.This will be accomplished working collaboratively to build new partnerships and grow the success of existing partners providing crop insurance education, training presentations, magazine advertisements, press releases, social media, newsletters, direct mail, sector-specific brochures and web-based resources. We are continuing to make our education material more accessible for producers and also for a more diverse audience, by expanding our social media reach via Facebook and YouTube, and continuing our relationship with partners. The planned live presentations this year will provide 2,300 plus hours of face-to-face crop insurance education for thousands of producers. Input from Raleigh Regional RMA is vital and will be sought throughout the grant period ensuring objectives are achieved and RMA guidelines followed. Pennsylvania agriculture is highly diverse and risk management education is a top initiative of the Department. We are uniquely suited to educate the industry through existing positive relationships with agricultural organizations such as Penn State, and the agricultural community as a whole.
Award Amount: $613,000
Award Type: TS
State: Pennsylvania
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

Utah

Recipient: Utah State University
Project: Rainfall Index Training and Decision Tools for Utah Farmers and Ranchers
Project Description: Insurance is a key element to managing risk in agriculture. Farmers and ranchers need education and tools to help them understand and best utilize the new Rainfall Index insurance program. This is especially critical in an arid state like Utah. The objective of this project is to provide education through online curriculum and in person workshops coordinated through county Extension agents. The location of the workshops will be regionally based in northern, southern, and central Utah locations. Online curriculum will be developed to reach those farmers and ranchers who may be unable to attend in person workshops. A set of decision tools will be developed specifically for Utah farmers and ranchers. The decision tools will be web based and accessible by a pc or mobile device. Farmers and ranchers who participate in the workshops or who complete the online curriculum will be prepared to make decisions concerning the use of the Rainfall Index.
Award Amount: $61,971
Award Type: TS
State: Utah
Regional Office: Davis, CA

Recipient: Custom Ag Solutions
Project: Federal Crop Insurance Program Education, Promotion, and Support for Utah Agricultural Producers
Project Description: "Custom Ag Solutions (CAS) will work with RMA and six partner organizations to improve Utah producers´ awareness, understanding, and utilization of Federal crop insurance programs and other risk management tools. CAS will reach 3,000 producers through 40 training events and 19,200 producers (137,200 impressions) through 40 informational contacts (e.g., newsletters, email updates, social media posts, etc.). 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) aggressively pursue outreach through social media and 2) make a substantial amount of training content available in Spanish. Producers will also 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.

The following organizational partners will contribute substantially to the project:

Master Stockman Consulting;
RightRisk, LLC;
Utah Cattlemen's Association;
Utah Farm Bureau;
Utah FFA; and,
Utah Wool Growers.

Award Amount: $211,000
Award Type: TS
State: Utah
Regional Office: Davis, CA

Rhode Island

Recipient: National Crop Insurance Services
Project: Risk Management and Crop Insurance Education for Rhode Island Growers 2017-18
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 con 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

New Jersey

Recipient: New Jersey Department of Agriculture
Project: New Jersey Crop Insurance Education Program
Project Description: The New Jersey Department of Agriculture in full partnership with Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Salem County with substantial RMA involvement will develop and implement a comprehensive crop insurance education program that ensures New Jersey farmers are well informed so they can take advantage of existing/emerging crop insurance products. Experienced educators will help producers understand: the kinds of risks addressed by crop insurance and how to manage those risks; risk management tools; the impact on other risk management decisions such as marketing and financial tools, including farm financial benchmarking; features of existing/emerging crop insurance products including Whole-Farm Revenue Protection and Supplemental Coverage Option; farm record keeping and planning; estate planning; rainfall index; and how to make informed decisions on crop insurance prior to sales closing date deadlines. Risk management education and outreach to farmers will focus on traditional, new/beginning, women, socially disadvantaged, apiculturists, veterans, livestock, organic, local and regional food systems, converting production systems to reach new markets, operations in transition of changing farming practices, and producers of products marketed as part of a local/regional food system.
Award Amount: $256,000
Award Type: TS
State: New Jersey
Regional Office: Raleigh, NC

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