Even with the launch of Whole Farm Revenue Protection in 2014, specialty crop producers remain underserved by and under-enrolled in federal crop insurance programs. These producers traditionally manage risk through diversification of their operations, revenue streams, and marketing strategies. By preparing specialty crop producers with the tools and strategies needed to manage multiple types of risk and continuing to promote diversification, we were able to better position these producers to mitigate risk and access crop insurance products in the future.
The completed project provided specialty crop producers with strategies to confront financial, marketing, legal, and production risks. Through food safety workshops, a financial health course, and a series and resources training producers to work with distributors to access wholesale and institutional markets, we provided nearly 200 Illinois specialty crop producers with a pipeline to access new revenue streams maintain their economic viability. We provided one-on-one review of food safety plans and financial maintenance strategies, and producers had the opportunity to enroll in a Food Safety Savings Account to save for food safety improvements within their operation. We also produced a resource booklet that will be made available online, reaching even more producers.