One of the most vital parts of a farmers life is Crop Insurance. Many people don’t truly comprehend the importance that crop insurance plays with a farmer’s livelihood. Growing up on a farm I have learned many things about agriculture, it was just recently though that I actually realized how vital crop insurance is to farmers and the agriculture industry. I compiled a list of the top five reasons crop insurance is vital to keep in the Farm Bill and to continue to offer to farmers.

1. It’s a Risky Business

Let’s start with the most obvious reason, risk. Farming is a risk. You never know how the weather will be that year, which means you won’t know how your crops will turn out. Your corn and beans could flourish one year but the next year you won’t even produce close to what you did the year before. That’s when crop insurance comes in. Crop insurance offers protection against perils such as drought, flood, hail, and frost.

2. Economy, Economy, Economy

A healthy farm economy means a stable American economy. Everyone wants to be able to eat healthy and consume fresh food, that’s one of the biggest issues in today’s world. Our farmers provide not only that, but so much more for your family and others all around the world. Crop insurance provides access to capital and security that farmers need to be able to increase crop yields, be efficient and be competitive in our world markets.

3. Agricultural Vitality

Farming must remain practical if farmers are to keep their production intact and pass it down to the next generation. Many farms in America are generations old; my great grandpa farmed, my grandpa farms, my dad farms, and one day I hope to continue that trend. In order for crop farmers to keep their production intact for years to come they rely on resources such as crop insurance and other federally funded programs to help them get through each crop season in case a loss occurs.

4. Supports being Stewards of the Land

If farmers are going to purchase crop insurance it’s likely they will also participate in other programs that help endorse protecting the environment. On top of that, in November of 2017 the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) partnering with the Risk Management Agency (RMA) came out with a program to incorporate into the crop insurance program in Iowa. This program offers an incentive for farmers to plant cover crops on their land, which will better help the soil and water issues within our state. Having a program like this benefiting both the farmer and the quality of our state is an amazing benefit for everyone.

5. Offers farmers a safety net

Never knowing what the crop is going to yield or what the prices will be at harvest is a scary thought. Crop insurance offers that safety net. If the yield is below a farmer’s trigger loss for that field or county there is a potential claim which will then reimburse the farmer money for that loss. That loss could be what makes or breaks a farm that year, so having that safety net is vital for not only the farmer’s future but the future of Americas farming.

Crop insurance is a vital part of the American and Iowan farmers life. It’s a safety net in a risky business that we call farming.

Adair County Insurance Agency offers crop insurance protection through Rain and Hail. If you have any questions about your crop insurance plan or crop insurance in general please feel free to contact us at 641-743-2632.

 

-Krista Downing