Ag Policy Blog

USDA's Risk Management Agency has some workshops coming up for producers and others to learn about updates and changes to the agency's Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) and insurance options for Micro Farm as well.

RMA states the WFRP and Micro Farm are two comprehensive risk management options for farmers. RMA said the policies are important to specialty crop, organic, urban and direct-market producers.

"We want to make sure farmers and ranchers know about these very important insurance options. We invite specialty crop, organic, urban and direct market producers to join the virtual 'RMA Roadshow," RMA Administrator Marcia Bunger said. "The RMA Roadshow will include me and leadership to highlight important improvements to Whole-Farm and Micro Farm and answer your questions."

Among the improvements, RMA said WFRP has doubled the maximum level of insurable revenue, up now to $17 million while RMA also has cut back on the paperwork requirements for WFRP as well. The size of operations eligible for Micro Farm policies also has been tripled to $350,000 in revenue.

RMA will host workshops with farmers on these times and dates:

-Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 10 a.m. Central

-Thursday, Oct. 13 at 3 p.m. Central

-Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 8 p.m. Pacific

-Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 10 am. Central

More details and links for the workshops can be found at the "RMA Roadshow" webpage https://rma.usda.gov/…

Chris Clayton can be reached at Chris.Clayton@dtn.com

Follow him on Twitter @ChrisClaytonDTN

Ag Groups Oppose Section 301 Investigation of Mexico

Two dozen agriculture and food groups have written Trade Representative Katherine Tai that they oppose a Section 301 investigation of Mexico that Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and other lawmakers have requested in a petition to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

Rubio and other lawmakers asked USTR to investigate a "flood" of Mexican agricultural products coming into the United States.

"A Section 301 investigation would undermine our relationship with one of our largest agricultural trading partners and create a substantial risk of retaliatory actions, jeopardizing this critical market for U.S. agricultural exports. This will harm -- not help -- American farmers," the groups wrote.

The letter was released by the Russell Group, a lobbying firm.

- Coalition letter to USTR http://www.hagstromreport.com/…

Jerry Hagstrom can be reached at jhagstrom@nationaljournal.com

Follow him on Twitter @hagstromreport

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