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Farm Foundation Forum: Risk and Resilience: The Next Chapter for Crop Insurance

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Crop insurance has become the cornerstone of the U.S. farm safety net, providing producers with a critical tool to manage risk in an era of volatility. At the same time, questions continue to surface about how the program can best serve farms of all types and sizes.

The October 2025 Farm Foundation Forum brought together together policymakers, producers, researchers, and industry leaders to examine the successes of the crop insurance program, its challenges, and opportunities to refine it for a more resilient future. Panelists explored the evolving role of crop insurance in supporting farm income, advancing conservation, and managing risk, while considering where reforms might strengthen the program for the decades ahead.

Moderator

Keith H. Coble is the 2025 Farm Foundation R.J. Hildreth Public Policy Award recipient, Round Table Fellow and serves as Vice President of the Division of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University. He has published over 95 journal articles covering risk management, farm policy, and agricultural data analytics. Keith also served as Chief Economist for the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee.

Panelists

Tara Smith is the Executive Vice President at Torrey Advisory Group. Tara brings over 25 years of experience across public and private sector agriculture policy, including roles with the American Farm Bureau Federation, Monsanto Company, and the Senate Agriculture Committee. She leads a team of advocacy specialists who help clients navigate complex stakeholder and regulatory landscapes.

John Coleman, is the Managing Director of Origination, Agriculture, North America at Munich Re. John is a seasoned expert in weather, crop-yield, and natural-catastrophe derivatives, bringing over a decade of experience in helping farmers and agribusinesses manage risk.

Rick Clark is a regenerative organic farmer, and owner of Farm Green LLC. Rick is a 5th-generation farmer from Williamsport, Indiana, dedicated to regenerative, certified-organic, no-till farming. Through his company, Farm Green LLC, he uses cover crops and soil-building practices to improve soil health, enhance human well-being, and ensure long-term agricultural sustainability.