On October 26, 2007, CAS' Clif Parker presented risk management and crop insurance information at the Massachusetts Aquaculture Association's Annual Meeting held in Sandwich, MA.  The CAS presentation was delivered as part of the RMA-CAS Commodity Partnership to reach Massachusetts clam producers with information about the USDA/Risk Management Agency's Cultivated Clam Pilot Crop Insurance Program. 

The CAS presentation focused on the Cultivated Clam Pilot Crop Insurance Program.  RMA's Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) and Adjusted Gross Revenue- Lite (AGR-Lite) Programs were also discussed.  The presentation began with an introduction to risk and risk management.  Next, Parker explained the five categories of agricultural risk: production, market, financial, legal, and human.  Then, Parker explained, in detailed terms, the structure, operation, benefits, and limitations of the clam crop insurance program.  Attending producers asked several questions about the various RMA programs.  Producers were also provided hard-copy program documentation and instructions for accessing RMA's online premium quotation system and crop insurance agent locator at the RMA website (www.RMA.USDA.gov).