Policy, Pressure, and the Path Forward: NCIS Podcast Explores Current Challenges
The latest episode of NCIS’s Keep America Growing podcast takes a closer look at the mounting pressures facing U.S. agriculture, and how policy and policymakers are responding. Featuring Dr. Bart Fischer of Texas A&M University, the conversation offers a candid assessment of today’s farm economy and the role of the safety net moving forward. Fischer doesn’t sugarcoat […]
New Podcast Explores Tightening Margins on the Farm and Risk Management Decisions
In the latest episode of Keep America Growing, NCIS President Tom Zacharias sits down with University of Illinois Professor Gary Schnitkey to discuss the economic realities facing farmers heading into the growing season. Building on a recent conversation with an Illinois crop insurance agent, this episode takes a broader look at the farm economy, where tightening margins, rising […]
NCIS Highlights Record Crop Insurance Growth in New Video Series
The National Crop Insurance Services (NCIS) just released two new short videos highlighting the continued strength and nationwide reach of the federal crop insurance program in 2025 — a record-setting year for farmer participation and protection. The videos underscore a simple but important point: in an environment defined by tighter margins and increased weather volatility, […]
With Sales Closing on the Horizon, a Conversation with Agent Luke Sandrock
With the March 16 sales closing deadline for spring crops approaching, the latest episode of NCIS’s Keep America Growing podcast takes listeners inside the conversations taking place between farmers and crop insurance agents right now. NCIS President Tom Zacharias sits down with Illinois crop insurance agent Luke Sandrock, a partner with the family-owned Cornerstone Agency. […]
Crop Insurance Sets Records in 2025: Farmers Urged to Finalize 2026 Coverage
With the March 16 deadline approaching for farmers to purchase crop insurance for spring-seeded crops like corn and soybeans, National Crop Insurance Services (NCIS) today released record-setting results for the 2025 crop year. Farmers purchased 2.54 million crop insurance policies in 2025 — an all-time high — protecting a record 561 million acres of farmland nationwide. Nearly 117 million […]
NCIS Podcast Examines 2026 Midterms and What They Mean for Agriculture
As Washington turns its focus toward the 2026 midterm elections, NCIS is helping industry leaders cut through the noise with a timely new episode of Keep America Growing. In the latest podcast, NCIS President Tom Zacharias sits down with David Wasserman, senior editor and elections analyst at The Cook Political Report, for a wide-ranging discussion on what […]
Tim Alderson Receives Outstanding Outreach Award
Tim Alderson is the recipient of the 2026 Crop Insurance Industry Outstanding Outreach Award, which was presented during the 2026 Crop Insurance Industry Annual Convention in Indian Wells, Calif. The Outstanding Outreach Award recognizes an individual who provides outstanding service to all farmers, including outreach to small, limited resource, and socially disadvantaged farmers. Tim is […]
Bill Wilson Receives Industry Leadership Award
Bill Wilson is a recipient of the 2026 Industry Leadership Award for consistently serving the industry and providing outstanding leadership to National Crop Insurance Services (NCIS) and the crop insurance industry. The award was presented during the 2026 Crop Insurance Industry Annual Convention in Indian Wells, Calif. Bill exemplifies what it means to be a leader in the […]
Grant Krohn Receives Industry Leadership Award
Grant Krohn is a recipient of the 2026 Industry Leadership Award for consistently serving the industry and providing outstanding leadership to National Crop Insurance Services (NCIS) and the crop insurance industry. The award was presented during the 2026 Crop Insurance Industry Annual Convention in Indian Wells, Calif. This award reflects Grant’s exemplary service and commitment as a member […]
Joe Bafia Receives Industry Leadership Award
Joe Bafia is a recipient of the 2026 Industry Leadership Award for consistently serving the industry and providing outstanding leadership to National Crop Insurance Services (NCIS) and the crop insurance industry. The award was presented during the 2026 Crop Insurance Industry Annual Convention in Indian Wells, Calif. Joe Bafia’s leadership stands out because it is both genuine and […]