Weblog for Agricultural Risk Management

Robert G. Paquin, State Executive Director for the USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Vermont announced on October 20 the loan limit for its Guaranteed Loan Program has been increased to $1,112,000 effective October 1. The limit is adjusted annually based on the "Prices Paid to Farmers Index," compiled by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The increased limit will enhance the agency's ability to meet the credit needs of farmers and ranchers throughout the country.

The Guaranteed Loan Program allows commercial and farm credit lenders to extend credit to qualified applicants, who otherwise would not meet their standard lending criteria. Participating lenders can use the Guaranteed Loan Program to strengthen a loan's viability through a guarantee of up to 95 percent of the loan amount. Farmers interested in guaranteed loans should apply through a conventional lender.

FSA also offers the Direct Loan Program as an alternative for those unable to obtain financing from commercial credit sources. Direct farm loans are government-funded, and made by FSA. The loan limit for loans under the Direct Program is $300,000 (except for Emergency Loans). Farmers interested in applying for a direct loan should contact their local FSA office. To find an FSA office, visit http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov

Posted by Pam Smith at 8:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

General Risk Management

2009 Vermont State Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

Introduction to Risk Management, RMA, 1997.

Risk Management Basics

Building a Risk Management Plan, RMA, 1998.

About the Risk Management Agency, RMA, 2008.

Risk and Risk Management, RMA, 2000.

Click Here for information on Contracts.

Do I Need Crop Insurance? self-evaluating crop insurance as a risk management tool in New York State, Steve Richards, Cornell University

2009 Crop Insurance Agents

How To File a Crop Insurance Claim

AGR-Lite Training

Presentations

Crop Insurance Briefing

Crop Insurance Briefing for Organic

Risk Management: What is it and How is it Done by Bob Parsons

Crop Insurance Making Good Business Sense: Vermont State Overview

Articles

General

"Building a Comprehensive Risk Management Plan"
"Crop Insurance Options for Limited Resource Producers and Producers of Noninsurable Crops"

Production Risk

"Production Risk: What Can You Do About It?"

Marketing Risk

"The Challenge:Reducing Your Exposure to Marketing Risk"

Financial Risk

"Dealing With Financial Risk Management on the Farm"

Legal Risk

"An Explanation of the Legal Risks Facing Farmers"

"Farm Transitions Assistance Offered by Mediation Program and UVM Extension" by Matt Strassberg

"Keeping Farmland Working in Vermont: A Lease Agreements Guide for Landowners and Farmers"

"Transferring Ownership of Farm Assets or Retiring From Farming"

"Your First Farm Loan"

Human Resources Risk

"Risk Management on the Farm: Human Resource Issues"

"Human Resource Considerations for the Hiring Season"

Crop Insurance Factsheets

Corn (Silage or Grain)
Corn Silage
Corn-Crop Revenue Coverage
Forage Seeding
2009 Nursery National Factsheet
Small Grains
Apples
Fresh Market Sweet Corn
Peaches
Adjusted Gross Revenue
Adjusted Gross Revenue-Lite

Organic Farming Practices
Prevented Planting Provisions
Requesting Insurance not Available in Your County

Posters

Risk Management and Crop Insurance

Posted by Pam Smith at 6:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson has announced that the agency is stepping up its efforts on Clean Water Act enforcement. The plan is a first step in revamping the compliance and enforcement program. It seeks to improve the protection of our nation's water quality, raise the bar in federal and state performance and enhance public transparency.

The plan outlines how the agency will strengthen the way it addresses the water pollution challenges of this century. These challenges include pollution caused by numerous, dispersed sources, such as concentrated animal feeding operations, sewer overflows, contaminated water that flows from industrial facilities, construction sites, and runoff from urban streets.

The goals of the plan are to target enforcement to the most significant pollution problems, improve transparency and accountability by providing the public with access to better data on the water quality in their communities, and strengthen enforcement performance at the state and federal levels.

Source: Farm Futures, October 19, 2009

Posted by Pam Smith at 6:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The sales deadline date for the apples, grapes, peaches and pears for the 2010 growing season is quickly approaching.

BENEFITS OF CROP INSURANCE:

Protects against losses from hail, drought, frost, wildlife, insects and other unavoidable natural occurrences

Provides loan collateral. Loss payments are assignable to a lender

Improves credit worthiness

Creates an income floor for a poor year

Increases farm profitability

Offers security and peace of mind

Customizable to fit your farm operation

NOVEMBER 20 is the last day to purchase insurance for apple, grapes, peaches, and pears. Contact a crop insurance agent for more information.

Posted by Pam Smith at 12:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)