Custom Ag Solutions' John Mangus presented risk management and crop insurance program information to nearly 200 Massachusetts beginning producers attending the Massachusetts FFA State Convention held on March 15-16, 2010, in Sturbridge, MA.

In three presentations coordinated by Massachusetts FFA State Advisor Kim LaFleur, Mangus covered a range of risk management and crop insurance topics.  Attendees also participated in CAS' risk management simulation game with high scorers winning prizes. 

Custom Ag Solutions' Clif Parker presented risk management and crop insurance program information to Massachusetts cranberry growers participating in the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers' Association (CCCGA) Winter Meeting & Environmental Workshops held March 5, 2010, in Hyannis, MA.

CAS' presentation was conducted as part of the USDA/RMA/CAS Massachusetts Targeted States Partnership, which exists to inform Massachusetts Agricultural Producers about the structure and benefits of Federal Crop Insurance Programs. The CCCGA is also a partner in the program and worked to coordinate and promote the event.

The CAS presentation began with a brief introduction to risk, risk management, and crop insurance principles. Next, the presenter provided a detailed explanation of the features, bebefits, and limitations of RMA's Cranberry and AGR-Lite Programs. Following the presentation, Mr. Parker spent time responding to attendees' questions and delivering one-on-one risk management consultation.  CAS also staffed a information booth at the event's trade show.

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' 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.

Presenters from Custom Ag Solutions (CAS) attended six Massachusetts Farm Bureau County Annual Meetings from October 20 - 29, 2009.  For each meeting, the CAS presenters were provided a speaking slot to discuss the availability and benefits of the various Federal crop insurance programs available to Massachusetts producers. 

The CAS presenters also interacted on a one-on-one basis with attendees to describe the the details of the various programs.  The presenters also responded to attendees' questions about risk management and the operation of crop insurance programs. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Risk Management Agency recently announced numerous risk management educaiton partnership awards for Custom Ag Solutions.  Projects include $228,000 in funding for CAS to work with several Massachusetts partners to reach Massachusetts agricultural producers with information about risk management and Federal Crop Insurance Programs. 

CAS also received $128,000 in funding to reach beginning producers in 12 states, and $90,000 to reach livestock, vegetable, and Christmas tree growers in eight additional states.  Finally, CAS will work with award recipients in five additional states, Delaware, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Utah, and Wyoming to reach additional producers with a range of educational programs.

RMA administers the Federal Crop Insurance Program and will oversee the partnership awards. 

Presenters from Custom Ag Solutions (CAS) attended five Massachusetts Farm Bureau County Board Meetings from September 15 - 30, 2009.  For each meeting, the CAS presenters were provided a speaking slot to discuss the availability and benefits of the various Federal crop insurance programs available to Massachusetts producers. 

The CAS presenters also interacted on a one-on-one basis with attendees to describe the the details of the various programs.  The presenters also responded to attendees' questions about risk management and the operation of crop insurance programs. 

CAS' Clifton Parker attended the New England Organic Farmers Association (NOFA) Annual Conference held in Amherst, MA, on August 7-9, 2009.  Over 1,500 people attended the conference and Parker interacted with over 500 of the attendees.  Parker told the attendees about the availability, operation, and benefits of Federal crop insurance programs available to New England producers.

Parker manned a exhibit table and distributed fact sheets on RMA crops insured in Massachusetts.  He also distrubuted RMA Fact Sheets for Organic Crops.  Parker spoke with many producers who were not aware of Federal crop insurance programs or who did not know that Federal crop programs can be used by organic growers.

Custom Ag Solutions' John Mangus worked with the Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA) to reach nursery growers attending the MNLA's Great Ideas Summer Meeting held at the Sylvan Nursery facilities near Westport on July 22.   

CAS' John Mangus presented “Crop Insurance Education for Massachusetts Beginning Ag Producers” to 125 current and beginning ag producers during the Massachusetts State FFA Convention in Sturbridge, MA, March 16-17th, 2009.  CAS thanks Massachusetts FFA Association coordinator, Kim LaFleur, for coordinating and promoting these three risk management / crop insurance training sessions.

CAS' Brett Crosby presented crop insurance and risk management information to Massachusetts producers attending the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation's Annual Meeting held in Mansfield, MA, on December 4, 2008.  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.

CAS' John Mangus presented crop insurance program information at the Massachusetts Aquaculture Association's Annual Meeting held on November 7, 2008, in Sandwich, MA.  The presentation included coverage of RMA's Pilot Clam and AGR-Lite Programs and a discussion of risk management based decision-making frameworks.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced a $209,000 Partnership Award to CAS to educate Massachusetts agricultural producers about Federal Crop Insurance Programs. The USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA) administers the Federal Crop Insurance Program and will oversee the partnership award. 

CAS and the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) worked together to deliver risk management and crop insurance program information to dozens of producers attending county farm bureau annual meetings in October.  The outreach was conducted as part of the USDA/RMA/CAS Targeted States Partnership to inform Massachusetts agricultural producers about the availability and benefits of Federal crop insurance programs.

During September 2008, CAS worked with several Massachusetts agricultural organizations to deliver risk management and crop insurance information to Massachusetts producers during the final month of the 2007-2008 USDA/RMA/CAS Targeted States Partnership to inform Massachusetts agricultural producers about Federal crop insurance programs.

Custom Ag Solutions' Kole Swanser and John Mangus presented risk management and crop insurance program information to Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association members attending the organization's annual meeting held on July 23, 2008, at the Crane Estate in Ipswich, MA.

CAS' Shylea Wingard staffed a crop insurance information booth at the New England Grows Exposition held at the Boston Convention and Exposition Center on February 7 and 8, 2008.  CAS participation occurred as part of the USDA/RMA-CAS Crop Insurance Education Partnership to inform Massachusetts agricultural producers about the availability and benefits of Federal crop insurance programs.