Featured News
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USDA to Issue One-Time Mandated ADD PAY II Payment to Approved Insurance Providers
The USDA and Risk Management Agency (RMA) recently announced a one-time Congressionally mandated payment to Approved Insurance Providers (AIPs) administering eligible crop insurance contracts for 2022 and 2024 reinsurance year specialty crops through the Additional Payment Program II (ADD PAY II). August 13, 2025 -
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Veterans Webinar Series Hosted by the USDA
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering a free webinar series for military veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses on how to work together to prepare for a career in agriculture. This webinar series is designed to provide information about USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher programs and resources for the military community. *This is not an NAU Country event. August 01, 2025 -
FSA/USDA Announces Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP)
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced that agricultural producers who suffered eligible crop losses due to natural disasters in 2023 and 2024 can now apply for $16 billion in assistance through the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP). Read the full official news release, review resources, and access a link to the recorded webinar. July 10, 2025
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NAU Country Supports National FFA Week
In honor of National FFA Week (February 17-24, 2024), the QBE Foundation and NAU Country are proud to support the National FFA Organization! Our partnership and sponsorship with the National FFA Foundation help to set up the success of our future farmers. February 16, 2024 -
Stopgap spending bill approved to avoid a government shutdown
Update: March 8, 2024 | The Senate passed a $467.5 billion spending package on Friday, March 8, 2024. The bipartisan bill will fund the agriculture, transportation, housing, energy, veterans, and additional programs through September 30, 2024. NAU Country will continue to keep you informed as we learn more about the situation. November 22, 2023 -
Crop Insurance for Specialty and Organic Crops Grow as Options Improve and Expand
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues to add crop insurance options for specialty crop and organic producers, including rolling out new and expanded options based on feedback from America’s agricultural producers. To achieve this, the USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) is hosting in-person and virtual roadshows and making investments in risk management education. These improvements are meant to improve risk management tools for producers and organic markets. October 17, 2023 -
Paperless Billing Statement Enrollment is now Available
NAU Country offers a convenient and clutter-free solution with Paperless Billing Statements. Paperless billing eliminates extra paper mail, while also helping the environment, and did we mention it cuts back on the clutter? By going paperless, your farmers will receive a billing notification via email, and can access their statement by utilizing our free online Farmer Portal. October 05, 2023 -
USDA Announces New Grapevine Insurance Program to Protect Against Natural Hazards
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it is expanding crop insurance options with a new Grapevine insurance program, which will provide coverage for loss of grafted vines caused by natural perils such as freeze or fire. The new program also will complement the Grape crop insurance program that covers the fruit growing on the vine. August 31, 2023 -
RMA Announces Changes to Whole Farm Revenue Protection and Micro Farm Policies
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it is improving crop insurance options for small and diversified farmers through improvements to the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WRFP) and Micro Farm insurance plans. These updates are part of USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) efforts to increase participation and access to crop insurance. August 31, 2023 -
USDA Announces Corrections to Emergency Relief Program Policy to More Accurately Reflect 2020 and 2021 Natural Disaster Impacts on Crops Intended for On-Farm Use
In a recent press release, the USDA announced corrections to the Emergency Relief Program policy to more accurately reflect 2020 and 2021 natural disaster impacts on crops intended for on-farm use (including grapes grown and used by the same producer for wine production or forage that is grown, stored and fed to livestock, that do not generate revenue directly from the sale of the crop). In addition, duplicative payment provisions for two key conservation programs are also clarified. The deadline to submit applications for ERP Phase Two is July 14, 2023. June 22, 2023 -
How the SVB banking crisis created exposures for American farmers
NAU Country President Jim Korin recently provided commentary to Insurance Business Magazine on how crop insurance and farmers may have been impacted by the recent Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) crisis. June 21, 2023 -
USDA Previews Emergency Relief Assistance for Agricultural Producers Who Incurred Losses Due to 2022 Natural Disaster Events
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced plans to roll out $3.7 billion in Emergency Relief Program (ERP) and Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) assistance to crop and livestock producers who sustained losses due to a qualifying natural disaster event in calendar year 2022. USDA is sharing early information to allow producers time to gather documents in advance of program delivery. Through distribution of remaining funds, USDA is also concluding the 2021 ELRP program by sending payments in the amount of 20% of the initial ELRP payment to all existing recipients. May 22, 2023 -
USDA Announces New Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Board Members
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack appointed two new members of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) Board of Directors, which oversees the Federal crop insurance program available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Chris Bardenhagen and Howard James will serve four-year terms beginning this month on the board, which guides USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) on administering crop insurance. May 18, 2023