Several FMH leadership members joined more than 135 crop insurance industry professionals at the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau’s (CIRB) 2018 Annual Meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona in early February. During the program, expert speakers provided a glimpse ahead at the upcoming farm bill debate.  

“It is going to take everyone who cares about crop insurance working together for us to succeed in protecting the program during the 2018 Farm Bill,” said FMH President & CEO and current CIRB Chair Ron Rutledge.

In addition to the farm bill, attendees also discussed the current state of the farm economy and its potential impacts on crop insurance, as well as the updates from RMA leadership.

“CIRB’s mission statement is ‘Preserving the Farm Safety Net,’” said FMH Vice President of Crop Underwriting Bryant Tjeerdsma. “FMH shares this common goal and has been actively involved with the organization since its inception. CIRB is highly involved in educating the public, AIPs, and Congress regarding how crop insurance serves to support the best interest of our nation and the American farmer. This event is a great place to come together to discuss the needs of the industry.”

Attendees included crop insurance and reinsurance professionals, ag economists from both the private and public sector, and representatives from organizations that support the interests of agriculture and crop insurance.

CIRB’s third Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) class also participated in the meeting. CIRB’s ELP helps equip the next generation of crop insurance leaders to be effective advocates. FMH has two current participants: Sheila Backer, Insurance Specialist Manager II, and Chad Groen, Regional Claims Manger.

To close out the meeting, Rutledge awarded the 2018 Chairman’s Award – CIRB’s highest honor – to House Agriculture Committee Chairman Michael Conaway (R-TX), who addressed the group by video message.

“Crop insurance is the anchor of the farm safety net. At all six of our farm bill listening sessions, crop insurance was well represented. We heard from producer after producer, ‘don’t screw up crop insurance; leave it alone.’ We heard that loud and clear,” said Chairman Conaway.