Through this project, our team was able to provide crop insurance education to organic and specialty crop producers throughout Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Kansas, and Minnesota. Eight handouts were created, in both English and Spanish, covering Whole Farm Revenue Protection, the Transitional and Organic Grower Assistance Program, and crop insurance options for organic and specialty producers. These resources were read by 290 producers throughout the grant period.

Media pieces developed through this project received wide media coverage, with a cumulative viewership of 6,685 producers. Content covered the Risk Management Agency’s updates to Good Farming Practices to include conservation practices, expansion of the Enhanced Coverage Option, availability of replant coverage, and the value of crop insurance for specialty and organic operations. This media included three written pieces and a guest appearance by our staff on a farming podcast.

Educational events were an important component of this project, with staff presenting at three conferences throughout the region to a combined audience of 169 producers and agriculture professionals. Staff also co-hosted a webinar focused on organic crop insurance options with a viewership of 135. Four small group sessions, including one co-hosted with a partner organization, were conducted by staff to reach a total of 41 producers.

All producers who attended presentations and small group discussions were offered one-on-one support from our staff. Between these individuals and interactions during conferences and staff outreach, 29 producers were provided one-on-one support. Throughout the project, eight producers declared their intention to purchase crop insurance.