WASHINGTON, DC (May 20, 2024) — The Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) released the following statement in response to the House Agriculture Committee’s release of draft discussion text for the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024:

“The Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) greatly appreciates the hard work that has gone into this critical first step in the farm bill process. We are especially pleased to see investments made to improve the farmer experience. The improvements made to the affordability of crop insurance, particularly for beginning and veteran farmers and ranchers, will increase affordability for the future generation of farmers and ranchers, while the inflation adjustment for delivery expenses will ultimately help the private sector continue to deliver gold-star service to farmers. These improvements get at the heart of our mission – to deliver more policies to more farmers in more regions of the country in an efficient and sustainable manner.

Crop insurance is the cornerstone of risk management for America’s farmers and ranchers, and we look forward to working with both sides of the aisle and Capitol to protect and further improve the program through the farm bill process.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Scottsdale, AZ (February 2, 2024) – The Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) has elected Lindsey Rinkenberger as chairwoman for 2024-2025.

Rinkenberger served as the director of commercial agribusiness underwriting operations at COUNTRY Financial® since 2020. Prior to that she held various positions at the company, starting as a crop insurance underwriter in 2002. She graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Arts in mass communications and media studies.

“I am proud to step into the this new position and I look forward to working with all CIRB members this year as we work to ensure crop insurance remains the most effective and efficient way to deliver risk management to farmers across the country,” Rinkenberger said.

As a CIRB member, she most recently served as vice chair under former Chairman Brian Young of Great American Insurance Group. In addition, Rinkenberger was a participant in the second Emerging Leaders Program sponsored by CIRB.

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About CIRB:
Founded in 1964 and headquartered on Capitol Hill, the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau
(CIRB) is proud to provide unparalleled advocacy, support, and membership services to the crop
insurance and reinsurance community. Today, CIRB members provide a vital component of the
farm safety net, writing policies in every state and providing billions of dollars in crop
protection. Learn more about us at cropinsurance.org. To learn more about CIRB’s work, or
to get involved, please contact CIRB staff.

WASHIGNTON, DC (December 5, 2023) – The following statement reflects the views of the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau, National Crop Insurance Services, and American Association of Crop Insurers:

“The U.S. Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) recently released report is fraught with recommendations that would dismantle the successful public-private partnership that delivers federal crop insurance to America’s hard working farmers and ranchers.

The report contains several recommendations that in the long run would result in reduced participation, diminish the financial soundness of the current program, and reduce the effectiveness of the private-sector delivery system. America’s crop insurers work in partnership with USDA to provide insurance coverage on approximately 500 million crop and rangeland acres and provided approximately $200 billion of financial protection in 2022 to America’s rural economy. This compares to 265 million acres in 2011 and $100 billion in financial protection for the same year.

The industry will continue to review the report, but a few observations are noteworthy at this juncture.

GAO mischaracterizes the economics of the delivery system when it states that “….the increase in crop prices did not increase the workload to sell and service the policy.” This statement ignores the fact that since 2011 the crop insurance industry has worked with USDA to implement both the 2014 and 2018 Farm Bills. Both of these pieces of legislation increased the availability of crop insurance products nationwide. New crop insurance products have since been developed along with specialty crop and livestock product expansion. The workload has, in fact, increased to meet the risk management needs of America’s farmers and ranchers.

The report further incorrectly conflates the Standard Reinsurance Agreement’s (SRA) target rate of return with GAO’s realized, market-based return. The SRA target rate of return is a gross revenue measure that excludes expenses. In contrast, GAO’s realized, market-based return is a net revenue measure that includes expenses. Because of this, the two measures are not directly comparable. A further concern is that GAO’s market-based return measures return relative to industry shareholder equity, whereas the SRA target rate of return measures return relative to industry premium volume. Again, the two measures are not directly comparable. Thus, GAO is making an apples to oranges comparison which does not accurately portray the risk borne by the private sector in delivery of the crop insurance program.

It is unfortunate that GAO focused solely on the “cost” side of the equation and missed the opportunity to address the value proposition that is the modern day crop insurance program and the number one priority of major farm and commodity groups in the upcoming Farm Bill.”

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About CIRB:
Founded in 1964 and headquartered on Capitol Hill, the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau
(CIRB) is proud to provide unparalleled advocacy, support, and membership services to the crop
insurance and reinsurance community. Today, CIRB members provide a vital component of the
farm safety net, writing policies in every state and providing billions of dollars in crop
protection. Learn more about us at cropinsurance.org. To learn more about CIRB’s work, or
to get involved, please contact CIRB staff.

WASHINGTON, DC (May 4, 2023) – Today, Head of Rural Community Insurance Services (RCIS) and Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) member, Jason Meador testified in front of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management, and Trade. Through his remarks, Meador addressed three key topics to consider as Farm Bill discussions move forward: the intersection of climate and crop insurance, ensuring the funding of disaster programs remain separate from crop insurance funding, and the importance of an effective and efficient 508(h) process to develop new and innovative crop insurance products.

Overall, Meador emphasized the critical role crop insurance plays for farmers across the United States as they manage risk. He urged Congress to maintain program flexibility that allows farmers to make decisions based on the unique challenges facing their region and individual operations, and ensure the future integrity of the program through a continued strong public-private partnership.

“I believe that crop insurance is the best tool available to farmers to manage the risks they face and to protect their livelihoods,” said Meador. “Crop insurance successfully meets the needs of hundreds of thousands of farmers today and we believe can address additional challenges.”

Meador discussed how crop insurance remains farmers’ first line of defense against climate change and natural disasters, reminding decision-makers that any intersection between crop insurance and climate should be incentive-based and crop insurance funds should not be considered as a way to pay for the development of additional disaster programs.

Meador’s testimony aligns with CIRB’s main priority for the upcoming Farm Bill: protect and preserve crop insurance, ensuring that all farmers—whether they are first generation or continuing the family legacy—can utilize this critical risk management tool to ensure the success of their operation for years to come.

About CIRB:

Founded in 1964 and headquartered on Capitol Hill, the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) is proud to provide unparalleled advocacy, support, and membership services to the crop insurance and reinsurance community. Today, CIRB members provide a vital component of the farm safety net, writing policies in every state and providing billions of dollars in crop protection. Learn more about us at cropinsurance.org. To learn more about CIRB’s work, or to get involved, please contact CIRB staff.

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WASHINGTON, DC (February 22, 2023) – Today, the Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance (FACA) released farm bill policy recommendations for the 118th Congress. Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau Chairman and CEO of Crop Risk Services Brian Young issued the following statement in support:

“Today’s announcement from FACA illustrates the importance of diverse stakeholders collectively working together to find common ground regarding climate smart agriculture policy in the upcoming Farm Bill. As these conversations continue, it is critical to protect the integrity of programs, such as crop insurance, by using reliable data to develop solutions that work for stakeholders across the board – FACA’s recommendations are a step in the right direction.

The bottom line is crop insurance is a critical tool in the toolbox for farmers across the country whether they are just getting their foothold in the industry or are continuing the legacy of generations that came before them. We look forward to continuing to ensure that crop insurance remains farmers’ first defense to challenges associated with climate and extreme weather conditions.”

To read the recommendations, click here.

About CIRB:

Founded in 1964 and headquartered on Capitol Hill, the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) is proud to provide unparalleled advocacy, support, and membership services to the crop insurance and reinsurance community. Today, CIRB members provide a vital component of the farm safety net, writing policies in every state and providing billions of dollars in crop protection. Learn more about us at cropinsurance.org. To learn more about CIRB’s work, or to get involved, please contact CIRB staff.

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WASHINGTON, DC (August 29, 2022) – Today, the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) named 17 industry professionals to its 2022-2023 Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) class. This is the largest class of emerging leaders since the program’s inception in 2015. The Emerging Leaders Program allows crop insurance and reinsurance professionals an opportunity to increase their knowledge of advocacy and communications while providing networking experiences with industry leaders.

“I am very proud to welcome this new class of emerging leaders,” said Brian Young, CIRB chairman. “The enthusiasm around CIRB’s Emerging Leaders Program is growing within the crop insurance community, which is illustrated by this record-breaking class. This program is a benefit of being a CIRB member, and I highly encourage all CIRB members to participate.”

The program officially kicks off in September with an “Introduction to CIRB” webinar led by Deputy Executive Vice President Tara Smith. The Emerging Leaders Program allows participants to experience multiple Executive Committee meetings, learn how to effectively advocate for the crop insurance industry with “lobby 101” seminars in Washington, D.C., and receive traditional and social media training. New to the program this year is instruction on utilizing LinkedIn to share the story of crop insurance.

The 2022-2023 CIRB Emerging Leaders Program Class includes:

• Elizabeth Mauch, American Farm Bureau Insurance Services
• Kaia Peterson, American Agricultural Insurance Company
• Christa Luebke, AgriSompo North America
• Ryan Johnston, AgriSompo North America
• Kyle Simpsen, COUNTRY Financial
• Matthew Miller, COUNTRY Financial
• Jessica Carter, Crop Risk Services
• Sara Wall, Crop Risk Services
• Travis Krinkie, Crop Risk Services
• Landon Shafer, Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company of Iowa
• Molly Eastman, Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company of Iowa
• Blaine Hanf, Hudson Crop
• Adam Livers, Hudson Crop
• Laura Stodola, Rural Community Insurance Services
• Meg Yandell, Rural Community Insurance Services
• Serena Navarro, Rural Community Insurance Services
• John Kuhling, Watts and Associates

You can learn more about the new class at cropinsurance.org/emerging-leaders-program/. Please contact Perry Harlow with any questions about the program.

About CIRB:

Founded in 1964 and headquartered on Capitol Hill, the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) is proud to provide unparalleled advocacy, support, and membership services to the crop insurance and reinsurance community. Today, CIRB members provide a vital component of the farm safety net, writing policies in every state and providing billions of dollars in crop protection.  Learn more about us at cropinsurance.org.  To learn more about CIRB’s work, or to get involved, please contact CIRB staff.

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WASHINGTON, DC (February 23, 2021) – Fifty-eight partners of the Crop Insurance Coalition, representing farmers, lenders, agricultural input providers, and conservation groups sent letters to key lawmakers and the Administration opposing cuts to crop insurance during the upcoming fiscal year 2022 budget process.

• Click here for the letter to the House and Senate Budget Committees
• Click here for the letter to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees
• Click here for the letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget

“Even in good years, farmers need access to a strong and secure Federal crop insurance program, a program that farmers have described time and again as a critical linchpin of the farm safety net.  The strength and predictability of the program is only more critical given the uncertainty that characterizes the production agriculture sector. USDA and Congress have taken extraordinary ad hoc measures over the past three years to ensure the financial security of rural America.  It would only serve to undercut these efforts to propose harmful changes to a crop insurance program that provides predictable, within-budget assistance to farmers in a way that helps lenders continue to support America’s farmers and ranchers. It is the certainty of the crop insurance program that provides critical reassurance to lenders,” the letter explains.

Please contact CIRB Federal Affairs Vice President Tara Smith at tsmith@torreydc.com with any questions.

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About CIRB:

Founded in 1964 and headquartered on Capitol Hill, the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) is proud to provide unparalleled advocacy, support, and membership services to the crop insurance and reinsurance community. Today, CIRB members provide a vital component of the farm safety net, writing policies in every state and providing billions of dollars in crop protection.  Learn more about us at cropinsurance.org.  To learn more about CIRB’s work, or to get involved, please contact CIRB staff.

Washington, D.C. (February 22, 2021) – The Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance (FACA) today announced an expanded Steering Committee including the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB). Other Steering Committee members include: American Farm Bureau Federation, the American Seed Trade Association, American Sugar Alliance, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, Biotechnology Innovation Organization, Ducks Unlimited, Environmental Defense Fund, Farm Credit Council, FMI – The Food Industry Association, National Alliance of Forest Owners, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Cotton Council, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Farmers Union, National Milk Producers Federation, The Nature Conservancy, Produce Marketing Association, and USA Rice Federation. A full list of FACA’s 43 members can be found at AgClimateAlliance.com.

The Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance consists of organizations representing farmers, ranchers, forest owners, agribusinesses, manufacturers, the food and innovation section, state government, sportsmen, and environmental advocates. These groups have broken through historical barriers to develop and promote shared climate policy priorities across agriculture, food, and forestry value chains.

“CIRB is proud to work with the others in FACA to ensure that crop insurance is a part of climate solutions for the future, while also ensuring that these solutions maintain the underlying integrity of the program and the principle of actuarial soundness,” noted Michael Torrey, Executive Vice President of CIRB.

The work of FACA will uphold three key principles:

• Agricultural and forestry climate policies must be built upon voluntary, incentive-based programs and market-driven opportunities;
• They must promote resilience and adaptation in rural communities; and
• They must be science-based.

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About CIRB:

Founded in 1964 and headquartered on Capitol Hill, the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) is proud to provide unparalleled advocacy, support, and membership services to the crop insurance and reinsurance community. Today, CIRB members provide a vital component of the farm safety net, writing policies in every state and providing billions of dollars in crop protection.  Learn more about us at cropinsurance.org.  To learn more about CIRB’s work, or to get involved, please contact CIRB staff.

BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. – The Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau’s (CIRB) Chairman, Zane Vaughn of ARMtech, presented Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) with the crop insurance industry’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Chairman Roberts is considered to be the father of the modern crop insurance program and is the only Member of Congress to serve as Chairman of both House and Senate Agriculture Committees. He most recently worked to pass the 2018 Farm Bill with the largest vote count in history. CIRB’s Chairman presented the award during the 2020 CIRB Annual Meeting, in Bonita Springs, FL.

“Crop insurance is the anchor of the farm safety net, but it hasn’t always been that way.  Through Chairman Roberts’ vision, perseverance and endless wit and sense of humor, he drove a shift in farm policy that is almost unprecedented,” stated CIRB Chairman Zane Vaughn of ARMtech. “This industry, America’s farmers and ranchers, and others throughout rural America owe a great debt of gratitude to Chairman Roberts for his belief in a better system of risk management.”

“I’m honored to receive the crop insurance industry’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and I would be remiss if I did not dedicate it to the hard-working men and women who have always been there to remind me of the importance of the farmer’s risk management toolkit. Thank you for all you do—and will continue to do—for farmers, ranchers, growers, and rural communities,” said Roberts. “No matter where I travel across the country, the number one refrain I hear is, ‘protect crop insurance.’ That’s why I have made it a priority during my time in Congress, and I’m pleased that together we have fended off multiple attempts to cut and harm the program.”

For more information about CIRB’s Annual Meeting, including interviews and photos of the event, visit cropinsurance.org/events or contact Kerry Lynch at klynch@torreydc.com.

WASHINGTON (March 11, 2019)–The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released President Trump’s FY 2020 budget proposal which includes significant cuts to crop insurance. The cuts this year total $25.83 billion over 10 years. Click here to read a joint statement from the six crop insurance industry organizations in response to the proposal.

WASHINGTON (February 19, 2019)– A group of around 60 national farm, lending, ag input, conservation, and crop insurance and reinsurance organizations, led by the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB), sent letters to the Administration and key lawmakers opposing cuts to crop insurance during the upcoming budget process.

• Click here for letter to the House and Senate Budget Committees 
• Click here for letter to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue

“USDA has projected that 2018 farm profitability will be the lowest in over a decade, and farm income dropped more than 45% in five years. An overreliance on budget savings from the agriculture community and from crop insurance more specifically will undermine rural economies.  It’s also important to note that in a time of uncertainty in the farming and ranching community – from natural disasters to trade wars to government shutdowns – the public-private partnership that is crop insurance has been a consistent and reliable risk management tool.  The certainty of federal crop insurance also offers lenders the assurances they need to continue to provide capital to America’s hard-working farmers and ranchers,” the letters explain.

Please contact CIRB Federal Affairs Vice President Tara Smith at tsmith@torreydc.com with any questions about the letters or the Crop Insurance Coalition.