The No. 1 ask from farm country from the latest farm bill update was to “do no harm to crop insurance.” I recently sat down with Martin Barbre, administrator of the Risk Management Agency, to discuss the tweaks to the crop insurance program and enhancements to make it better.

In the short interview, he details changes to the multi-county enterprise units, changes to the APH (actual production history) and codifying that cover crops are a good farming practice. He also discusses his goals including further expansion in specialty crops as well as expanding coverage of corn in certain areas of the country. In addition, hear about special provisions for young and beginning farmers.

Barbre brings a wealth of experience from the world of agriculture. He is the owner and operator of Chestin Farms, with 6,000 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat, and grain sorghum. He is the former president of the National Corn Growers Association, member of the Illinois Corn Growers Association, and was appointed by Secretary Perdue to be a member of USDA's Illinois Farm Service Agency State Committee until his appointment as RMA Administrator.

As a producer himself, Barbre brings a unique perspective to USDA and representing farmers at USDA in the crop insurance arena. “We have a great staff, but they’re not farmers. I’m able to interject that into the conversation.”

Click on the link below for the full audio.