By the U of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Media contact: Mary Hightower mhightower@uaex.edu Oct. 3, 2014
501-671-2126
Fast facts 2014 Farm Bill may have biggest impact on Southern farmers Panel discussions will help farmers make critical decisions in risk management (340 words) Pair of November workshops focus on risk management under the 2014 Farm Bill FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- The 2014 Farm Bill brings big changes in the way Southern farmers handle risk management and training sessions in Jonesboro and Forrest City are planned to help producers adapt successfully. The half-day crop insurance workshops are set for Nov. 11 in Jonesboro and Nov. 12 in Forrest City. They will feature panel discussions with John Anderson of the American Farm Bureau Federation, Dave Goeller, risk management educator and grain producer from Nebraska, local producers and a representative from the National Crop Insurance Services. There is no cost to attend and lunch will be provided. To register visit http://forms.uaex.edu/economics/aciem.asp. The event is being presented by the Southern Risk Management Education Center and the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “These trainings are an opportunity for growers to learn more about the role that crop insurance can play in managing their farms’ risks,” said Ron Rainey, extension economist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and co-director for the Southern Risk Management Education Center. With all the changes in the new Farm Bill, “it is arguable that no region of the U.S. will be as impacted as those in the South,” said H.L. Goodwin, professor-ag economics and a co-director of the Southern Risk Management Education Center. “We believe that for Southern producers to successfully manage risk under the 2014 Farm Bill, they must employ to a greater extent their full range of risk management tools. “Crop insurance has now become the primary governmentally assisted tool for risk management for our producers,” he said. “That is why we are sponsoring this important informational event." To learn more about risk management, visit http://srmc.uark.edu. The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. ###