Featured News
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USDA to Issue One-Time Mandated ADD PAY II Payment to Approved Insurance Providers
The USDA and Risk Management Agency (RMA) recently announced a one-time Congressionally mandated payment to Approved Insurance Providers (AIPs) administering eligible crop insurance contracts for 2022 and 2024 reinsurance year specialty crops through the Additional Payment Program II (ADD PAY II). August 13, 2025 -
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Veterans Webinar Series Hosted by the USDA
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering a free webinar series for military veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses on how to work together to prepare for a career in agriculture. This webinar series is designed to provide information about USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher programs and resources for the military community. *This is not an NAU Country event. August 01, 2025 -
QBE North America Promotes Jordan Atkinson to President of NAU Country Insurance Company
QBE North America today announced that Jordan Atkinson has been named President of NAU Country, effective August 18. NAU Country Insurance Company is QBE North America’s $4 billion Crop insurance business, specializing in multiple-peril crop insurance (MPCI). July 18, 2025
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John McDermott Receives Industry Leadership Award
John McDermott is a recipient of the 2023 Industry Leadership Award for consistently serving the industry and providing outstanding leadership to National Crop Insurance Services (NCIS) and the crop insurance industry. The award was presented during the 2023 Crop Insurance Industry Annual Convention in Bonita Springs, Florida. February 23, 2023 -
USDA Expands Hurricane Insurance Protection to Include Certain Tropical Storms
Farmers may now be eligible for further protection against damaging tropical storms. After hearing directly from agricultural producers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expanding its Hurricane Insurance Protection-Wind Index (HIP-WI) Endorsement with a Tropical Storm (TS) option. USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) will offer this option for the 2023 crop year. February 14, 2023 -
QBE/NAU Country and FFA: New Partnership Is Beneficial for the Future of Agriculture
In honor of National FFA Week (February 18-25, 2023), the QBE Foundation and NAU Country are proud to support the National FFA Organization! Our partnership and sponsorship with the National FFA Foundation is setting up the success of our future farmers. Check out the story from the National FFA Organization spotlighting our company's commitment to serve and support FFA in the many years ahead! February 10, 2023 -
USDA Announces Major Program Improvements, Progress, and Investments to Benefit American Farmers, Ranchers, and Producers
USDA is announcing two new programs that wrap-up and fill remaining gaps in previous natural disaster and pandemic assistance. The Emergency Relief Program (ERP) Phase 2 and Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program (PARP) application period is open from January 23 through June 2, 2023. January 11, 2023 -
ERP Phase II Announced - USDA Previews Crop and Revenue Loss Assistance for Agriculture Producers
The USDA is preparing to roll out the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) Phase Two as well as the new Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program (PARP), which are two programs to help offset crop and revenue losses for producers. USDA is sharing early information to help producers gather documents and train front-line staff on the new approach. November 15, 2022 -
USDA to Provide up to $20 Million for Construction of On-Farm Grain Storage Facilities in Areas Impacted by Recent Natural Disasters
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the USDA will make available $20 million in cost-share assistance to help agricultural producers in Kentucky, Minnesota, South Dakota and surrounding areas to rebuild storage facilities damaged by devastating natural disaster events in 2021 and 2022. This assistance will help producers who were hard-hit by disasters and are currently struggling with a lack of available grain storage have the resources they need as they head into the 2022 crop harvest. October 13, 2022 -
RMA Offers Virtual Workshops on Improvements to the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection and Micro Farm Insurance Options
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering virtual workshops on Oct. 11, Oct. 13, Nov. 15 and Dec. 13 for agricultural producers and stakeholders to learn about the latest updates and improvements to the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) and the Micro Farm insurance options. October 07, 2022 -
Updates to Crop Insurance Plans Broaden Access for Specialty Crop, Organic, Direct Market, and Other Producers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is improving two of its most comprehensive risk management safety net programs, Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) and Micro Farm, making them more accessible to America’s agricultural producers. The following press release was published by the USDA on August 31, 2022. September 02, 2022 -
USDA Offers Greater Protection and Flexibility With RMA’s Transitional and Organic Grower Assistance (TOGA)
The Organic Transition Initiative was announced on August 22, 2022, as a $300 million multi-agency USDA effort to support the transition and build and strengthen organic markets. The TOGA nationwide program, is part of the Organic Transition Initiative offered by USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA), reduces a producer’s overall crop insurance premium bills, and helps them continue to use organic agricultural systems. August 22, 2022 -
USDA to Invest up to $300 million in New Organic Transition Initiative
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced details of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) $300 million investment, including with American Rescue Plan funds, in a new Organic Transition Initiative that will help build new and better markets and streams of income for farmers and producers. August 22, 2022