Risk Management
Farmers can choose from various risk management policies to protect their operation from financial loss.
Crop Insurance and Whole Farm Revenue Protection
The USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) offers a federally subsidized crop insurance program through private insurance companies. Crop insurance provides coverage against production losses due to drought, hail, frost, hurricanes, excessive moisture, fire, insects, plant disease and wildlife damage. It provides protection for up to 75% (85% for some crops) of the farmers actual yield history or against revenue loss. Individual crop insurance policies exist for annual, perennial, and livestock crops. The 2014 Farm Bill changes (PDF) to the crop insurance program include benefits for beginning farmers, and the Whole Farm Revenue Protection policy which provides a risk management safety net for all commodities on the farm under one insurance policy.
Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP)
The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers NAP (PDF) to provide yield protection for crops ineligible for traditional crop insurance. NAP provides protection for up to 65% of the farmers actual yield history. The FSA also provides programs for livestock crops.
Risk Management Tools
- Farm Risk Plans — Resources, Tools and Calculators
- Risk Management Checklist (PDF from USDA RMA)
- Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats Analysis Tool (PDF from USDA RMA)
Farmers are encouraged to visit the RMA website, and to contact their local crop insurance agent or Maine State Farm Service Agency office.
This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2018-70027-28584.
