Maryland Farming Success Online Training Course
Under your existing crop insurance policy, the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) established the Risk Management Agency (RMA) to administer the Federal Crop Insurance Policy Program, providing risk management and financial loss protection for all eligible crop commodities on operations. In order to inform the traditionally underserved and socially disadvantaged audience of their options in USDA programs and risk management tools, the University of Maryland (UMD) is partnering with the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) and USDA to create a 4 module online training course Maryland Farming Success !
The course modules are instructed by notable speakers apart of the Farm Service Agency and University of Maryland Extension to prepare course takers for successful participation in all USDA programs. Some of the topics include FSA Programs, Crop Insurance, Financial Skills, Legal Topics, Plan Development, and Risk Management Tools.
Paul Goeringer
University Of Maryland Extension, Legal Specialist
Shannon Dill
University Of Maryland Extension, Extension Educator
Bob Wevodau
Maryland Farm Service Agency, Farm Program Chief
About The Course
This course will prepare these farmers for success and provide additional information about available programs, including the federal crop insurance program. The training course will consist of four modules: financial management, crop insurance basics, an overview of FSA programs, and basic legal tool strategies. By the end of the course, participants will be able to logically develop a business plan, be competent in financial, risk management tools, and legal topics regarding their farm operations, and fully made aware of the existing assistance they can receive from the USDA.
FSA Programs
This module covers FSA programs, loans, and assistance programs for farmers, with a focus on socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers. Programs for Agriculture Risk Coverage, Emergency Assistance for Livestock, and Loan Deficiency Payment Assistance are a few of the topics that are covered in this module.
Crop Insurance
This module covers crop insurance basics, the federal crop insurance program, eligibility of existing USDA programs, understanding how to manage risks in a farm operation, possible crop insurance tools, how to find a crop insurance agent, and what producers need to know before sign up.
Farm Financial Planning
This modules covers financial management, maintaining financial and production records, household budgets, statements of financial condition, income statements, balance sheets, and statements of cash flows.
Business Organizations and Legal Strategies
This module covers topics including estate planning, understanding types of business organizations, basic legal issues in structuring the farm business including the basic use of business structures, such as a partnership, limited liability company, or corporation. Many producers do not understand the strategies involved in these structures and how they can be used as a risk management tool in the operation to better manage a number of legal risks.
Example Curriculum
University of Maryland & U.S. Department of Agriculture Partnership
This certificate is awarded by the University of Maryland. The course material is based upon work supported & funded in partnership by U.S. Department of Agriculture, Risk Management Agency, under award number RMA21CPT0011599
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