SERIES: The Experts in Our Field ft. Crop Insurance

Choose MAFC for Your Crop Insurance Needs, Part 2

By: Kelly Bailey, crop insurance specialist

Happy Friday, and welcome to our last crop insurance department tribute.  I told you there were more reasons for why we’re your best choice for crop insurance.  So, here you go:

1. We are committed to learning.  We take the time to attend different agriculture and insurance related seminars, trainings, and events multiple times per year to expand our knowledge and better serve you. Crop insurance is an industry of change, and we work hard to make sure that we stay up to date with the industry.
2. We have a service oriented attitude – from figuring out production totals to filing claims, we work with our customers to ensure they receive exceptional service from our agents. Since crop insurance can be used as a tool to increase borrowing potential, what better place to work with an agent that has your loan officer in house? All of your needs can be met in the same place.
3. And we’re growing (and will continue to if that means better service to you). We mentioned earlier this week that our services have expanded to cover our entire territory by hiring new employees.  Do you have any other suggestions for us?

All in all, you put everything you have into your business, so why not let the best of the industry take care of your crop insurance needs?  We’re here to help you make the best of your growing seasons – in good times and bad.  So, choose Farm Credit and our team of experts to help you plan for success.  If you have any questions, tweet me @KellyBailey1103 or give us a call at 888-339-3334.

SERIES: The Experts in Our Field ft. Crop Insurance

Choose MAFC for Your Crop Insurance Needs, Part 1

By: Kelly Bailey, crop insurance specialist

Hello, again!  I knew you would come back today to learn about why you should partner with MAFC for your crop insurance needs.  Since selecting your crop insurance agent is an important business decision that could impact your operation for years to come, you want to select someone who knows the industry and can keep up with the changes in the program that could impact your coverage.  We can do just that! Here are a few reasons why we are the experts in our field:

1. Our crop insurance department has been meeting farmer’s needs for over 25 years. How? We make sure your acreage and production reports are completed accurately and on time.  Also, we help our customers determine the best coverage for their individual needs.
2. Our agents have agricultural backgrounds, so they understand your concerns.  Teresa, Jordan, Jason, Kathi and I all grew up on farms varying to and from dairy, orchard, grain, and cattle operations.
3. We only sell crop insurance. This means we can devote as much time as necessary to keep up with industry changes, and make sure that our clients’ needs are met.
4. We work with those in our community: The agents at MAFC strive to establish relationships with the local FSA offices, Farm Bureaus, and Extension offices. We believe that by working together, we can help serve our customers more efficiently and provide exceptional service.

Still need more proof that we are the best crop of experts in our field?  Stop by tomorrow as we wrap up our mini-series on the crop insurance department and tell you more about how we’re working to serve you.  If you have any questions, tweet me @KellyBailey1103.

SERIES: The Experts in Our Field ft. Crop Insurance

Here’s All You Need to Know (about crop insurance, that is!)

By: Kelly Bailey, crop insurance specialist

So, you want to know what crop insurance is, why you need it, or how it came to be?  Let me share my thoughts with you.

The Federal Crop Insurance Program was first established in 1938, but due to the Crop Insurance Reform Act of 1994 which increased the demand for program participation, it became necessary for farmers to rely on private insurance companies for their crop insurance needs.  And we figured, who better to fill that need than an ag expert like Farm Credit?

Crop insurance is part of the Farm Bill (which is an agriculture hot topic right now) and as those programs, policies, and procedures change, crop insurance changes with it.  We lobby to make sure the changes don’t decrease your coverage when faced with crop loss.

Last year, there were 264 million acres of farmland protected through crop insurance. But, I bet you’re really wondering how such a large program impacts the local agricultural industry, right?  Well, in Maryland alone there were just over 900,000 acres of farmland insured and over $26 million was paid to the farmers in indemnities for both production and/or revenue losses. In Delaware, crop insurance protected $145 million of liability, with $8.8 million being paid to farmers for indemnities.

• So, you want to know why you need crop insurance and how it can benefit you? Consider this:
• Crop insurance makes sure you don’t suffer losses due to price or natural disaster.
• The programs are customizable to meet your individual needs and help protect you against revenue or production losses.
• Crop insurance can help with your marketing plans when it comes to settling forward contracts.
• Producers receive indemnities in a timely manner.
• Loan collateral – helps you increase your borrowing capacity. 

I think I’ve told you all you need to know (to get started), but do you want to know more? Visit farmcreditcropinsurance.com or tweet me @KellyBailey1103.  See you tomorrow to discuss why you should choose MAFC for your crop insurance needs.