Farm Risk Management Resources

Risk is an inherent part of farming. And farm risk management is an essential activity that every farmer should consider. Here you will find resources that cover insurance and other issues related to risk management

• Introduction to Crop Insurance for Organic and Transitioning Producers – Guidebook from OFRF and USDA. How crop insurance works for organic and transitioning farmers, including coverage types and record-keeping, as well as what to know when working with crop insurance agents.

• Whole Farm Revenue Protection is an option for diversified producers who don’t fit into the neat boxes that traditional crop insurance programs provide for specialized farmers.

• Reducing Risks Through Best Soil Health Management Practices in Organic Crop Production – Guidebook from OFRF and USDA. Practical tools and research on best soil health practices to build soil health and resilience to extreme weather conditions, such as drought and flooding.

• The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) offers valuable information on agricultural risk management planning and insurance.

• National Crop Insurance Services offers a free, informative, Four Page Brochure on farm risk planning.

• The Ag Risk Education Library from the University of Minnesota offers lots of good information and resources (over 1000 publications!).

• The University of Montana publishes a guidebook called Introduction to Managing Risk on Specialty and Organic Crop and Livestock Operations. 

• And the UC Davis Small Farm Program offers a number of useful resources related to farm risk management on their Farm Management Page.

• Michigan State University publishes a list of resources and tools about crop insurance and risk management.

• Researchers from Purdue University have presented a great assessment of management for operational and strategic risk on the farm.

• Legal Risk Management: Protecting Your Farm and Family – PowerPoint Presentation (By Shannon Mirus, National Agricultural Law Center): A powerpoint presentation about farm risk management issues that producers should consider, as well as potential solutions to many of these issues are introduced, with special attention given to negligence and premise liability, the use of business organizations as protection for assets, and issues involved in forming and enforcing contracts. Download this presentation.

• Find additional farming resources at https://www.beginningfarmers.org/additional-farming-resources/