All farmers and ranchers have one thing in common: the need to manage risk, whether from weather, markets, or other forces. Crop insurance can be a useful tool for farmers and ranchers in managing risk.
But there can be several reasons why many farmers and ranchers don’t buy crop insurance. Maybe they don’t believe there’s an option applicable to their operation. Maybe they don’t know how to find a crop insurance agent to work with, or what questions to ask when they meet with an agent.
New resources are available for farmers and ranchers from the Center for Rural Affairs on these and related topics. The Center can address questions about what crop insurance options are available, how crop insurance works, and how to decide which option is right for an operation. See below for fact sheets and recorded webinars on the topic. Farmers and ranchers are also invited to call our office to speak with our staff if they have questions.
Looking for a crop insurance agent? Search here.
Crop insurance resources
Fact sheets
- Crop Insurance 101, Aug. 31, 2023, 101
- Seguro de Cosechas 101, Aug. 31, 2023, 101
- Whole Farm Revenue Protection: Micro Farm, Nov. 30, 2022
- Protección de Ingresos De Toda La Granja: Micro Granja, Nov. 20, 2022
- Strengthening Organic Coverage: Contract Price Option, Nov. 30, 2022
- Fortalecimiento de Cobertura Orgánica: Opción de Precio de Contrato, Nov. 30, 2022
- Crop Insurance for Small Grains, July 25, 2022
- Livestock Revenue Insurance for Feeder Cattle, July 11, 2019, livestock
- Whole Farm Revenue Protection, July 11, 2019, WFRP
Webinars
- Crop Insurance for Diversified Operations, July 27, 2022
- Crop Insurance 101 with Joe Toillion, July 20, 2021
- Insurance option for Midwest tree and nut orchards, Jan. 22, 2020, WFRP/orchards
- Flexible Crop Insurance Option: Whole Farm Revenue Protection, Jan. 17, 2019, livestock
- Insuring Livestock Under the Whole Farm Revenue Protection, Dec. 19, 2016
- Insuring Diversified Fruit and Vegetable Production Under the Whole Farm Revenue Protection, Nov. 18, 2016.
Research publications
- Conversations from the Field: Crop Insurance for Organic Operations, Jan. 11, 2021, organic
- New Option for Farm Risk Management: Whole Farm Revenue Protection Usage in Nebraska, Sept. 27, 2017, WFRP
Organic crop insurance resources
fact sheets
- Strengthening Organic Coverage: Contract Price Option, Nov. 30, 2022
- Fortalecimiento de Cobertura Orgánica: Opción de Precio de Contrato, Nov. 30, 2022
Research publications
- Conversations from the Field: Crop Insurance for Organic Operations, Jan. 11, 2021, organic
Case studies
- Select Endorsements and Insurance Timeline with Beth Caple
- Insights From a Farmer and Crop Adjuster with Justin Doerr
- Finding a Good Agent and the Next Generation with Carmen Fernholz
- Actual Production History, planting date, and claims with Nick Glanzer
- Whole Farm Revenue Protection with Josh Hoeme
- Unit Types and the Claims Process with Eric Madsen
- Endorsements and Agent Considerations with Joshua Manske
- Filing Claims and the Iowa Cover Crop Discount with Ron Miller
- Crop Insurance Timeline with Caleb Mosel, January 2021
- Multi-Peril Crop Insurance for Organic Operations with Scott Phillips
- Organic Prices and Replant Claims with Logan Sheets
- Contract Pricing and the 2020 Derecho with Scott Shriver
- Transition, Unit Considerations, and Late and Prevented Planting with Joe Toillion
- Contract Pricing, Unit Types, and Whole Farm Revenue Protection with Megan Vaith
Coverage for small grains
Resource Guide
From Seed to Secured: Crop Insurance for Small Grains, Oct. 27, 2021
Fact sheets
Crop Insurance for Small Grains - July 25, 2022
Flexible crop insurance option, Whole Farm Revenue Protection
For many crops and livestock, a multi-peril policy may not be easily available. . In these cases, or for highly diversified operations, Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) could be a helpful option. Available in every county, the plan covers the revenue for your entire operation, making it possible to expand protection for your crops and livestock.
If you’re a producer thinking about purchasing WFRP for your operation, contact an insurance agent to get the ball rolling on your application.
Some of this material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture under award number 2018-70027-28586.
