CIRB History
The Crop Insurance and Research Bureau (CIRB) was founded on July 1, 1964 by 18 crop insurance companies with the original goal of communicating about the availability of private crop insurance.
Passage of the Crop Insurance Act of 1980 changed the industry’s landscape, setting the stage for the public-private partnership that makes today’s successful crop insurance program possible. CIRB worked closely with USDA in support of a program that works for both farmers and taxpayers.
Educating allied industry was an important priority for CIRB throughout the 1980s and 90s. The organization helped fund university crop research programs and developed training materials.
The organization engaged during the development of the landmark Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 (ARPA), which expanded crop insurance access to farmers and reduced fraud, waste, and abuse in the program.
In 2003, full membership was made available to reinsurance companies in recognition of the vital role they serve in the crop insurance program. In 2011, CIRB assumed its current name, the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau, to better reflect the organization’s membership and focus.
Federal representation has always been a critical part of CIRB’s mission. Over the years, CIRB’s team has testified on Capitol Hill, hosted educational briefings for lawmakers, and built strong relationships across the countryside. Torrey Advisory Group (Previously Michael Torrey Associates) has provided federal affairs services to CIRB since 2006. CIRB moved its offices to Washington, D.C. in 2009 and the Michael Torrey Management Group started managing the association as well.
CIRB has coordinated the broad Crop Insurance Coalition since 2013. This broad alliance includes stakeholders across the farm supply chain who share a common goal in protecting crop insurance. Click here to learn more about the Crop Insurance Coalition’s work.
CIRB members provide a vital component of the farm safety net, writing policies in every state and providing billions of dollars in crop protection. Since the beginning, CIRB has been led by a dedicated group of volunteer industry leaders.CIRB is proud to provide unparalleled advocacy, support, and membership services to the crop insurance and reinsurance community.