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 President Jim Korin's Testimony at recent U.S. Senate Committee Hearing - Advocating for Crop Insurance
NAU Country President Jim Korin spoke on the importance of the crop insurance industry at a U.S. Senate Committee hearing. Watch the hearing or view a copy of Jim's testimony. May 04, 2023 -
NAU Country President Jim Korin to Testify at U.S. Senate Committee Hearing on the Importance of Crop Insurance
NAU Country President Jim Korin is speaking on the importance of the crop insurance industry at the United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry - Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management, and Trade's hearing on Thursday, May 4, 2023. May 01, 2023 -
USDA Expands Margin Protection for Corn and Soybean Farmers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expanding its Margin Protection insurance plan, adding more than a thousand counties to the insurance option that provides coverage against an unexpected decrease in operating margin for corn and soybean producers. This expansion, which is in direct response to growing interest among producers, will be available by June 30, 2023. Interested producers will need to purchase their coverage by Sept. 30, 2023, to be eligible for the 2024 crop year. March 31, 2023 -
Keep America Growing
Everyone needs farmers, and farmers need affordable and reliable risk management tools. Crop insurance is the cornerstone of the farm safety net. It protects more than 490 million acres, ensuring that America’s farmers and ranchers can keep producing a safe and affordable supply of food. The farm safety net helps farmers survive the challenges of agriculture and adapt to our changing climate. We all have a vested interest in the success of American agriculture, and crop insurance keeps America growing. March 28, 2023 -
John McDermott Receives Industry Leadership Award
John McDermott is a recipient of the 2023 Industry Leadership Award for consistently serving the industry and providing outstanding leadership to National Crop Insurance Services (NCIS) and the crop insurance industry. The award was presented during the 2023 Crop Insurance Industry Annual Convention in Bonita Springs, Florida. February 23, 2023 -
USDA Expands Hurricane Insurance Protection to Include Certain Tropical Storms
Farmers may now be eligible for further protection against damaging tropical storms. After hearing directly from agricultural producers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expanding its Hurricane Insurance Protection-Wind Index (HIP-WI) Endorsement with a Tropical Storm (TS) option. USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) will offer this option for the 2023 crop year. February 14, 2023 -
QBE/NAU Country and FFA: New Partnership Is Beneficial for the Future of Agriculture
In honor of National FFA Week (February 18-25, 2023), the QBE Foundation and NAU Country are proud to support the National FFA Organization! Our partnership and sponsorship with the National FFA Foundation is setting up the success of our future farmers. Check out the story from the National FFA Organization spotlighting our company's commitment to serve and support FFA in the many years ahead! February 10, 2023 -
USDA Announces Major Program Improvements, Progress, and Investments to Benefit American Farmers, Ranchers, and Producers
USDA is announcing two new programs that wrap-up and fill remaining gaps in previous natural disaster and pandemic assistance. The Emergency Relief Program (ERP) Phase 2 and Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program (PARP) application period is open from January 23 through June 2, 2023. January 11, 2023 -
ERP Phase II Announced - USDA Previews Crop and Revenue Loss Assistance for Agriculture Producers
The USDA is preparing to roll out the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) Phase Two as well as the new Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program (PARP), which are two programs to help offset crop and revenue losses for producers. USDA is sharing early information to help producers gather documents and train front-line staff on the new approach. November 15, 2022 -
USDA to Provide up to $20 Million for Construction of On-Farm Grain Storage Facilities in Areas Impacted by Recent Natural Disasters
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the USDA will make available $20 million in cost-share assistance to help agricultural producers in Kentucky, Minnesota, South Dakota and surrounding areas to rebuild storage facilities damaged by devastating natural disaster events in 2021 and 2022. This assistance will help producers who were hard-hit by disasters and are currently struggling with a lack of available grain storage have the resources they need as they head into the 2022 crop harvest. October 13, 2022