Why it Matters

We all want healthy, fresh food for our families. America’s farmers and ranchers provide that and more, for your family and families all over the world. Crop insurance provides the access to capital and security farmers need to increase crop yields, improve efficiencies and stay competitive in world markets. A healthy farm economy is essential to the stability of America’s economy.

Farmers and ranchers don’t just grow food; they grow the plants that provide the fiber for our baby blankets, cozy sweaters, wedding gowns, and the feed for livestock that provides the raw materials for hundreds of essential products.

In 2012, during one of the worst droughts in recent history, the crop insurance program paid out more than $17 billion in indemnities to producers across the U.S. who purchased crop insurance. Crop insurance provides a safety net against perils such as frost, drought, flooding and hail. Without a strong crop insurance program, uncontrollable changes in weather could undermine the financial security of individual farmers and place the entire farm economy in jeopardy.

Every day we depend on the goods and products made by America’s farmers and ranchers. They depend on crop insurance as an essential business tool in today’s difficult agricultural economy. In an increasingly volatile business environment, crop insurance provides an important measure of stability for America’s agricultural producers. Access to affordable crop insurance allows American farmers to continue to provide affordable food for America and the world.