b'People, Product NewsUSDA Invests $3.3 Million In Twoempower, educate and provide out- USDAsRiskManagementAgency New Partnerships To Expandreach to underserved producers.forinvestinginthisprojectand Outreach On Crop Insurance Tounderstandingthatdesigningand Underserved ProducersThe Intertribal Agricultural Councilimplementing programs that engage (IAC), about $1.9 million: RMA andcommunitymembersdirectly The U.S. Department of AgriculturetheIACwillstrategicallyengageincreases impact and reduces ineffi-(USDA) recently invested about $3.3withminority-servinginstitutionsciencies.Joiningforceswithour millionintwonewpartnershipsand underserved stakeholder groupspartnersRuralCoalition,Annies thatwilltrainandequipthenextthat will train, credential, and estab- ProjectandAlcornState generation of crop insurance agents,lishapipelineofcropinsuranceUniversityenhancesdelivery adjustersandoutreacheducatorsagents and adjusters within under- effortsinallsectorsofhistorically about crop insurance options. Theseservedagriculturalcommunities.underservedcommunities.Italso partnershipswiththeIntertribalTheinitiativesgoalistoincreaseensuresalastingeffectacrossthe AgricultureCouncil(IAC)andthetherepresentationofunderservedcropinsurancesectortodeliver UniversityofArkansasSoutherninsurance agents and loss adjustersavailable risk management options. Risk Management Education Centerprovidingservicetounderserved furthereffortsbyUSDAsRiskcommunities.TheSouthernRiskManagement ManagementAgency(RMA)toEducation Center at the University broaden participation in crop insur- Kari Jo Lawrence, Executive DirectorofArkansasSystemDivisionof ance, especially among underservedoftheIAC,said:IcommendAgriculture, about $1.4 million: This producers.Cropinsurancestrengthens American agriculture, and we want to make sure all farmers, especially thosetraditionallyleftbehind,are aware of the tools available to man-agerisk,saidRMAAdministrator MarciaBunger.Wehavealotof worktodotoengageunderserved producersinourriskmanagement tools. These two partnerships will let usengagewithcommunitiesthat havehistoricallylackedaccessto resources and education. Both part-nerships aim to cultivate creativity andinnovationastheyworkto 26 POTATO GROWER JANUARY 2023'