Presenters from Custom Ag Solutions (CAS) attended four Massachusetts high schools to present CAS' Risk and Risk Management training simulation. Directing the presentation to horticulture and agriculture-focused students, CAS presenters introduced attendees to basic risk management principles and crop insurance programs offered to Massachusetts producers.

To illustrate the challenges of managing risk and the role of Federal Crop Insurance Programs in agricultural risk management, attendees participated in an interactive learning simulation that illustrated uncertainty and risk in a simulated Massachusetts horticulture operation. The outcomes of the game varied by student depending on uncontrollable chance and the risks chosen by a given student over a simulated six-year period. Attending producers’ agricultural experience and interests centered on landscape plant production and greenhouse management.

CAS' Brett Crosby participated in the Utah Cattlemen's 2009 Winter Convention held in the downtown Sheraton Hotel in Salt Lake, December 1-3, 2009. Crosby presented attendees with information about the structure, operation, and availability of the Livestock Risk Protection Program offered by the USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA).

Crosby's presentation focused on risk management issues and RMA's LRP Program. After introducing basic concepts of risk, risk management, and Federal crop insurance, Crosby told producers about previous program experience and participation rates, which suggest widespread acceptance. Crosby then provided an in-depth description of the LRP Program, including specific examples of premium, coverage, and indemnity calculations.

CAS' presentation was delivered as part of a RMA Targeted States Partnership between Utah State University's Extension and the Risk Management Agency to provide Crop Insurance education to Utah Ag producers.

CAS' Brett Crosby participated in the Oregon Cattlemen's 2009 Convention and Tradeshow held in Bend, Oregon, on December 3, 4, and 5, 2009.  Crosby presented attendees with information about the structure, operation, and availability of the Livestock Risk Protection Program offered by the USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA). 

Crosby's presentation focused on risk management issues and RMA's LRP Program.  After introducing basic concepts of risk, risk management, and Federal crop insurance, Crosby told producers about previous program experience and participation rates, which suggest widespread acceptance.  Crosby then provided an in-depth description of the LRP Program, including specific examples of premium, coverage, and indemnity calculations. 

CAS' presentation was delivered as part of a RMA Commodity Partnership to inform Oregon cattle producers of the availability and function of the LRP Program that protects producers against downside price risk.  The partnership is administered by RMA’s Spokane Regional Office. 

CAS' John Mangus presented crop insurance and risk management information to Massachusetts producers attending the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation's Annual Meeting held in Hyannis, MA, on December 3, 2009.  The presentation was delivered as part of the USDA/RMA/CAS Massachusetts Targeted States Partnership to inform Massachusetts producers about Federal crop insurance programs available to improve producers' abilities to manage risk.