The Southern Risk Management Education Center (SRMEC) at the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture received a $2,121,750 Project Grant award from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the Agriculture Risk Management Education Partnerships Competitive Grants Program (CFDA 10.520), effective September 30, 2025, with completion by September 29, 2028. SRMEC will leverage its faculty expertise and advisory council to deliver comprehensive risk management education and outreach programs to farmers and ranchers across the Southern region, empowering agricultural producers to make informed decisions regarding production, marketing, financial, legal, and human resource risks.
The Center's primary deliverables include management and administration of the Extension Risk Management Education (ERME) competitive grants program, hosting an annual national risk management conference, and providing capacity-building activities focused on federal crop insurance education and utilization. Additionally, SRMEC will continue collaborative partnerships with the Southern Extension Economics Committee and maintain strategic relationships with key agricultural stakeholders, including public and private organizations, farm entities, and socially disadvantaged and historically underserved clientele. These integrated efforts aim to improve producers' risk management capabilities and increase overall farm profitability through evidence-based educational programming and resource development.