Individuals, organizations, and businesses across the United States have been impacted by efforts to contain and manage the coronavirus outbreak. FMH has closely monitored the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation to respond to this unprecedented health event.  

In a letter to agents in mid March, FMH CEO & President Ron Rutledge said, “As your agency partner, we understand the importance of limiting the effects of this outbreak to maintain quality customer service. FMH is continuously monitoring the situation and adjusting policies and practices as needed to respond to the virus and protect our employees, agency partners, customers, and vendors while continuing to serve the needs of our customers.”

As part of those measures, FMH company leadership implemented a plan to allow office employees to work from home, cancel national and local events, suspend non-essential business travel, and reduce exposure to those who may have been in contact with someone who had the virus. While these changes have been part of a large-scale disruption, FMH has been well prepared to quickly shift most of its employees to work remotely thanks in part to consistent efforts in developing a business continuity plan in recent years.

Changes announced by the USDA Risk Management Agency in response to the coronavirus on March 27, 2020, have also impacted FMH’s daily operations. These changes allow producers to send reports electronically, extend the date for production reports, and defer interest on policies with billing dates between March 1 and April 30.

Rutledge recognized the impact of the outbreak in a letter to employees: “The turbulent changes sweeping across the country because of the coronavirus are, in the optimist’s eye, a new experience to be embraced that is different than any we have ever had. From a more realistic point of view it is certainly disconcerting to see event after event, business after business, and school after school dramatically alter their normal routines to protect the people they are connected to.”

FMH is committed to maintaining a safe work environment for the health and well-being of its employees and business partners and to sustain business operations. As a part of its social responsibility, FMH is following federal social distancing guidelines, travel restrictions, CDC and state health department recommendations, and continues to adjust policies as needed.