The western extension risk management education center at washington state university has a 24-year record of superior performance in administering the arme (ERME) program to deliver risk management…

Washington State University received a $2.12 million Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the Agriculture Risk Management Education Partnerships Competitive Grants Program (CFDA 10.520), awarded September 30, 2025, with completion targeted for September 29, 2028. As the Western Extension Risk Management Education (ERME) Center, WSU will deliver risk management education programming to agricultural producers across the region, with a 24-year track record of superior performance in program administration. The center's educational offerings encompass instruction on futures and options trading, crop insurance optimization, cash forward contracting, debt reduction strategies, production diversification, marketing planning, and farm business transition planning.

The center will leverage its established partnership network and communication infrastructure to provide multi-regional and national impact programming that strengthens the farm safety net and improves agricultural producers' economic viability. WSU's deliverables will emphasize outreach to beginning farmers and ranchers, legal immigrant farmers, socially disadvantaged producers, and operations transitioning to new markets or preparing for succession. The award supports the center's commitment to continuous improvement and outcome-based program development aligned with USDA strategic objectives to support America's farmers, ranchers, and foresters.

The western extension risk management education center at washington state university has a 24-year record of superior performance in administering the arme (ERME) program to deliver risk management education to agricultural producers. Our leadership in projects and activities supports learning, collaboration, and partnerships to develop and deliver programs that improve agricultural producers' ability to manage risk and improve their economic viability. Our plan of work is in alignment with initiatives that put america's farmers, ranchers and foresters first. We contribute to USDA's strategic goals by strengthening the farm safety net through outcome-based programs. We are committed to a philosophy of continuous improvement and engagement to support ERME and USDA/arme strategic objectives. The western center at WSU has developed significant capacity to deliver risk management programs with regional, multi-regional and national impacts. Our partnership network and communication plan has established expertise, resources, and programs necessary for serving agriculture producers. We are committed with our plan of work to help producers improve their economic viability.