Custom Ag Solutions' (CAS) Ryan Mangus recently visit Corvallis, Oregon to present risk management and crop insurance information to beginning producers attending the annual Oregon FFA State Convention. The convention was held on the campus of Oregon State University March 20-22, 2010.

Mangus discussed a range of risk management and crop insurance topics during three convention sessions. Attendees learned risk management fundamentals and details about the basic operation of Federal crop insurance programs. Attendees also participated in an interactive learning simulation game requiring decisions about managing risk and participating in crop insurance programs. The game's outcomes varied by student depending on uncontrollable chance and the risks chosen by a given student over a simulated six-year period.

CAS' presentation was delivered as part of a RMA Commodity Partnership to inform Oregon beginning producers about risk management principles and about the structure, operation, and benefits of Federal crop insurance programs, including RMA’s Livestock Risk Protection Program, which is available to Oregon producers. The partnership is administered by RMA’s Spokane Regional Office.

Custom Ag Solutions' (CAS) John Mangus presented risk management and crop insurance information to beginning producers at four Rhode Island locations on March 17-18, 2010. 

Mangus first met with Ponogansett FFA members and chapter advisors Loren Andrews and Malaree Searle.  He then made a presentation to Exeter-West Greenwich FFA members and advisor Katie Kocab.  Next, Mangus worked with Narragansett advisor Greg Breene to deliver three presentations for FFA members at Narragansett High School.  Finally, Stacie Pepperd at Chariho High School coordinated an event where Mangus presented to over 30 student participants.

CAS thanks RI FFA State Advisor Allison Toles and participating chapter advisors and members for their cooperation in coordinating the visits.  CAS looks forward to participating in the RI FFA State Convention scheduled for late April.

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' Brett Crosby presented CAS' 'You CAN Farm and Ranch' program to several hundred Utah begining producers attending the Utah FFA State Convention held on March 11, 2010, in Cedar City.

In recent years, production agricultural has evolved into a highly competitive, capital-intensive, low-margin business.  Often, young people considering a career in production agriculture are discouraged by the industry’s formidable barriers to entry.

Crosby discussed the challenges of overcoming production agriculture's substantial barriers to entry.  He also provided attendees with several proven approaches for starting a career in production agriculture (farming or ranching).  Crosby focused on themes such as building your credit, building your balance sheet, and building your reputation. 

Numerous participants requested the PowerPoint file used in the presentation.  The file can be downloaded here.

CAS presenters Scott Crosby and Ryan Mangus recently began taking CAS' risk management information program throughout Wyoming to share with beginning producers in the Cowboy State. Members of Wyoming's Vocational Agriculture community in 14 Wyoming communities participated in the interactive presentations. Working directly with local FFA chapters, Crosby and Mangus introduced attendees to basic risk management principles and crop insurance programs offered to Wyoming agricultural 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 Wyoming feedlot/cow-calf 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.

CAS continues risk management training efforts throughout Wyoming and is open to community members and other interested individuals. For further information, please contact CAS at 877-227-8094 or via email at info@casnow.com.

During the week of February 15, 2010, Custom Ag Solutions worked with the Indiana FFA and the Indiana Young Farmers' Association to deliver risk management and crop insurance information to Indiana beginning producers.

Six sessions were coordinated with the Indiana FFA and delivered by CAS' John Mangus.  Events were held in Kokomo, Rossville, Charlottesville, Sheridan, Michigantown, and Thorntown.  Attendees learned risk management fundamentals and details about the basic operation of Federal crop insurance programs.  Attendees also participated in an interactive learning simulation game requiring decisions about managing risk and participating in crop insurance programs.  The game's outcomes varied by student depending on uncontrollable chance and the risks chosen by a given student over a simulated six-year period.

Mangus also attended and presented at the 2010 Indiana Young Farmers' Association Annual State Convention held on February 20, 2010, in Indianapolis.  Mangus presented CAS' "Ag 2020 (Survive Today - Thrive Tomorrow) Program" to explain some of the risks facing Indiana agricultural producers during this time of economic uncertainty.  Attendees also learned about the structure and benefits of Federal Crop Insurance Programs available in Indiana. 

CAS' John Mangus presented risk management information to over 250 New Mexico beginning producers attending the New Mexico FFA State Leadership Convention. 

The event was held in Albuquerque on January 30, 2010.  Mangus covered a range of risk management and crop insurance topics during five separate presentations.  Attendees also participated in CAS' risk management simulation game with high scorers winning prizes. 

CAS appreciates the efforts of the New Mexico FFA and Executive Secretary Jerrod Smith to help coordinate the event. 

CAS presenters Shylea Wingard and John Mangus have recently worked to deliver risk management information to beginning producers in New Hampshire. CAS worked with New Hampshire FFA State Coordinator Maria VanderWoude to schedule and present the informational program to local vocational agriculture programs. Directing the presentation to horticulture and agriculture-focused students, CAS presenters introduced attendees to basic risk management principles and explained the operation and benefits of crop insurance programs offered to New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire nursery 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 spanned a range of production agriculture fields.

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.

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. 

Throughout February, March, April, and May of 2009, Custom Ag Solutions worked with local FFA chapters to reach Wyoming's beginning producers with information about risk managment tools and Federal crop insurance programs.  CAS efforts were conducted in partnership with the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service with funding provided by the USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA). 

CAS' John Mangus presented risk management information and crop insurance program details to Delaware beginning producers in four locations during the week of April 20, 2009.  The presentations were coordinated with local vocational agriculture classes and FFA Program advisors affiliated with the Delaware FFA Association. 

CAS is creating a deterministic Excel model that calculates a producer's AGR-Lite eligibility.  It will allow a producer to evaluate crop acreage amounts or number of animals insured, cost inputs and calculate indeminity amounts and triggers in the case of a loss event.  CAS anitcipates the on-line launch of this  important producer/advisor tool by June 1st.  

CAS' Ryan Mangus presented “Crop Insurance Education for Utah's Beginning Producers” in three northern locations February 23-25th, 2009.  The presentations were conducted in partnership with the Utah State University Extension with funding provided by the USDA/RMA Utah Targeted States Partnership.  Vo-ag instructors and advisors affiliated with the Utah FFA Association helped to coordinate the events.    

CAS' Ryan Mangus and Casey Crosby presented risk management and crop insurance information to dozens of beginning Utah agricultural producers in five locations during the weeks of November 17 and 24, 2008.  The presentations were coordinated with local vocational agriculture classes and FFA Program advisors affiliated with the Utah FFA Association. 

CAS' Shylea Wingard presented risk management and crop insurance information to beginning Nevada producers in four locations during the week of September 22, 2008.  The presentations were coordinated with local vocational agriculture classes and FFA Program advisors affiliated with the Nevada Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association. 

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.

CAS' John Mangus and Clif Parker presented risk management and crop insurance information to beginning Delaware producers in two locations on Friday, September 5, 2008.  The presentations were coordinated with local vocational agriculture classes and FFA Program advisors. 

CAS' John Mangus and K-State's Dr. Terry Kastens and Dr. Kevin Dhuyvetter presented risk management and crop insurance information at the Michigan Farm Bureau Young Farmer Leaders Conference held in Big Rapids, MI, on February 22 and 23, 2008.  The presentation was delivered as part of the CAS - USDA/RMA Risk Management Education Partnership to educate Michigan agricultural producers about risk, risk management, and Federal crop insurance programs.