Risk management education partnership program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Risk Management Agency awarded a $243,658.20 Cooperative Agreement under the Risk Management Education Partnerships program (CFDA 10.460) to the University of Maine System. The project period runs from September 1, 2024 to February 28, 2026.

The University of Maine System, through its Research & Sponsored Program division, will partner with the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) to deliver a comprehensive program of risk management education and training for agricultural producers in Maine. Key activities include:

• Producing weekly market price reports, biweekly pest reports, and facilitating farmer production planning cohorts to help farmers manage market, production, and climate risks
• Hosting climate cafes and natural disaster preparedness workshops to build farmers' capacity to adapt to climate change and extreme weather
• Integrating risk management training, including crop insurance, into the MOFGA Farm Beginnings business planning course

This Cooperative Agreement aims to enhance the risk management skills and resilience of Maine's agricultural producers, with a focus on underserved specialty crop and diversified farmers.