Risk, defined most simply as the possibility of suffering harm or loss, is part of everyday life, and risk is certainly a part of agricultural production.  While most Christmas tree producers believe the business to be relatively risky, many producers lack a complete understanding of risk and risk management principles.  As a first step toward successfully managing risk, producers must understand risk.  With a solid understanding of risk management principles, producers can make effective use of available risk management tools and strategies, including Federal Risk Management Programs.   

 

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (RMA)[1] and Custom Ag Solutions (CAS)[2] have partnered to develop and deliver crop insurance education to Christmas tree growers in Michigan, Oregon, and Washington.  The Partnership, as part of RMA’s Commodity Partnerships Program, is specifically targeted to Christmas tree growers.  With substantial RMA involvement, CAS is conducting research, developing content, planning and scheduling educational events, and then delivering content to targeted producers.  Program content is also available on a dedicated website, http://www.christmastreeriskmanagement.com/. 

 

RMA’s stated mission is to “Promote, support, and regulate sound risk management solutions to preserve and strengthen the economic stability of America’s agricultural producers.”  In addition to providing formal risk management programs such as crop insurance, RMA sponsors Crop Insurance Education Programs to help producers become more capable risk managers. 

The content provided on this website was developed to educate Christmas tree gorwers about 1) basic risk and risk management concepts and 2) strategies and tools to optimize producers' use of available risk management tools and programs. 

 

[1] The Risk Management Agency was created in 1996 to administer the Federal Crop Insurance Program and other non-insurance-related risk management and education programs.  Read more at http://www.rma.usda.gov/pubs/2000/PAN-1667-02.pdf.

 

[2] CAS is a private Wyoming corporation with special expertise and training in agricultural risk management, agricultural property valuation, and technical analytics.  Read more at http://www.customagsolutions.com/.

 

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