FARM Risk Management
Farms face real risks from extreme weather events such as floods, tornadoes, windstorms, and market volatility. Planning ahead with the right insurance coverage and land management practices can help protect crops, equipment, infrastructure, and farm income.
This page brings together educational resources and tools to help farmers:
Understand farm and crop insurance options
Prepare for severe weather and natural disasters
Reduce on-farm risks through practical land management practices
Access recovery resources after a disaster
FARM INSURANCE
Farm Insurance is an important part of farm risk management. Different policies can help protect your crops, equipment, infrastructure, and overall farm income.
Farmland Conservation
Supporting local farms and foods is not possible without the farmland to do it on. All ARCD programming is weaved around the importance of preserving this vital farmland through sustainable agriculture practices.
Farmer and Gardener Training
From gardeners who have never sown seed before to seasoned farmers expanding their operation, ARCD provides training and resources to expand local food knowledge & production.
Nutrition & Food Access
ARCD promotes nutrition and food access for everyone by providing programming open to underserved populations in our community. These incentive programs aid participants in their purchasing and knowledge of how to prepare locally grown, nutritious foods that may have otherwise been out of their reach.
Local Farm & Food Hub
Not a farmer or gardener? No worries! ARCD provides a channel through which the community can learn and connect with local farmers, food producers, and farmers markets supporting local infrastructure and providing healthy and nutritious options.
Farmer and Gardener Training
From gardeners who have never sown seed before to seasoned farmers expanding their operation, ARCD provides training and resources to expand local food knowledge & production.
University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
Cornell Cooperative Extension
This educational webinar provides an introduction to farm insurance and risk management considerations for agricultural operations.
ARCD Council
University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
This guide explains common insurance considerations for farming operations.
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https://utia.tennessee.edu/publications/wp-content/uploads/sites/269/2024/08/W1266.pdf LINK TO
Cornell Cooperative Extension
This educational webinar provides an introduction to farm insurance and risk management considerations for agricultural operations.
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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWZIltVoQtU’
ARCD Council
This webinar intriduces farm insurance fundamentals and risk management from the perspectives of University of Tennessee Extension, State Farm and Farm Credit Mid America
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Crop insurance programs can help farmers manage risks related to weather, natural disasters, and changing market conditions.
CROP INSURANCE
University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
Factors to consider when selecting crop insurance during changing market conditions
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https://arec.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/01/Choosing-Crop-Insurance-During-Market-Volatility-Delaware-011123.pdf
USDA’s Organic Farming Research Foundation
Introduction to Crop Insurance for Organic and Transitioning Producers
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https://ofrf.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/IntroductiontoCropInsurance.pdf
Whole-Farm Revenue Protection
USDA crop insurance program that provides coverage for the revenue of the entire farm rather than individual crops; often used by farms that grow multiple commodities.
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https://www.rma.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2024-05/WFRP-PowerPoint.pdf
USDA’s Micro Farm Policy
Designed for smaller farms with lower revenue levels and simplified record keeping requirements
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https://www.rma.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2024-05/WFRP-PowerPoint.pdf
FARM PRACTICES
Northeast Tennessee has experienced serious impacts from weather like wind and water erosion, wildfire, and drought. Farm practices that decrease weather risk include:
Northeast Tennessee has experienced serious impacts from weather like wind and water erosion, wildfire, and drought. Farm practices that decrease weather risk include:
Hazard Mitigation Planning
Rebuilding Healthy Soil
Rotational Grazing
Streambank Restoration
Reforestation - Wind Breaks
Check out ARCD’s upcoming workshops to gain more information and hands-on skills.
See resources below to learn more about how to manage your risk on-farm.
Hazard Mitigation Planning
Understanding your farm site, the surrounding land’s topography and characteristics, current and projected climate trends, and other factors is the first step to creating a plan for your farm to identify potential vulnerabilities, outlining actionable steps for hazard mitigation, and being more prepared for the future.
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Rebuilding Soil / Soil Health
Knowing your soil’s chemistry, properties and characteristics allows you to optimize output and ecosystem services it provides.
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https://utcrops.com/soil/nutrient-management/soil-health/
Rotational Grazing
Managing plants in your pasture, using strategic fencing methods, and scheduled movement can produce top quality beef and fields!
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https://utbeef.tennessee.edu/forages-grazing-management/
Streambank Restoration
Riparian buffers are important for water quality, retaining land, and stabilizing soil.
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https://tnyards.utk.edu/creekbank-protection-and-repair-resources/
Reforestation & Wind Breaks
With the massive amount of riparian trees lost along farmland in East Tennessee’s recent flooding, planting trees can prevent loss of crops to high winds.
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https://research.fs.usda.gov/centers/nac/windbreaks
Additional Resources to Manage Risks
Invasive Plant Management
Wildfire Mitigation – move this heading down
University of TN – A Guide For The Identification And Management Of Invasive Plant Species Common In Riparian Areas Of East Tennessee
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https://solutions.tennessee.edu/?view_pub_pdf=274
Tennessee Invasive Plant Council – Invasive Plant Removal Projects & Advice
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https://www.tnipc.org/?page_id=15
Wildfire Mitigation – move heading here
TN Dept of Agriculture – Ways to Reduce Fire Risk
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https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/forests/landowner-assistance/i-want-to/reduce-wildfire-risk.html
National Park Service- Wildland Fire: What is Hazard Fuel Reduction?
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https://www.nps.gov/articles/what-is-hazard-fuel-reduction.htm
Tennessee Wildland Fire Council – Prescribed Fire Toolkit
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https://www.tn.gov/tnwildlandfire/prescribed-fire/prescribed-fire-toolkit.html
Wildfire Risk to Communities
A free, easy-to-use website with interactive maps, charts, and resources to help communities understand, explore, and reduce wildfire risk. Created by the USDA Forest Service under the direction of Congress, this website is designed to be a starting point for community leaders, such as elected officials, community planners, and fire managers, to help assess and reduce risk to homes, businesses, and other valued resources.
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DISASTER RECOVERY
Farmers affected by severe weather events may be eligible for recovery assistance and support programs.
University of Tennessee Extension
Tornado Response and Recovery Resources
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USDA Grants
For TN Farmers and Forest Landowners Hit by Hurricane Helene:
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https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/news/2025/12/12/tennessee-to-manage-usda-grants-for-farmers-and-forest-landowners-hit-by-hurricane-helene.html
Tennessee Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) Resources
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https://agwebv01.ag.utk.edu/bess/Extension/ExtProg/Eden/
University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
Flood Resources and Support
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https://utia.tennessee.edu/flood-resources-and-support/
Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry
Tennessee Fire Adapted Communities
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https://www.tn.gov/tnwildlandfire/prevention/tennessee-fire-adapted-communities.html
The Weatherwise program, workshops, and digital educational materials were made possible by the Rural Business Enterprise Grant funded by the USDA Rural Business Development Grants.
