(Overland Park, Kan.) — With the fate of the 2012 Farm Bill still in question and the worst drought in decades fresh in people’s minds, the Crop Insurance Industry is announcing a new website that will serve as a focal point for groups to show their support for crop insurance.

“Crop insurance has grown to become the most important tool farmers and ranchers have to manage risk,” noted Tom Zacharias, NCIS president. “As the Farm Bill continues to be discussed, there’s no better time than the present to show your support for this critical risk management tool,” he said.

The website (www.SupportCropInsurance.org) will serve as a platform allowing organizations, farmers, agents, small businesses and others to sign an open letter to Congress in support of crop insurance. The letter is similar to one that was sent to Congress earlier this summer from major farm and commodity organizations.

Support for crop insurance is especially strong in rural America after this historic drought. A new video released today by NCIS focuses on the overall training and role adjusters play in getting crop insurance claims processed efficiently and accurately. Adjusters have already processed more than 137,000 claims so far this year, resulting in more than $2 billion worth of indemnity payments reaching farmers in need.

“Crop insurance is a safety net, just like buying insurance for your house,” said David Finch, a claims adjuster from Tulia, Texas, in the video. “It may burn down some day and it may not,” he explained. “But if you don’t buy crop insurance, you better have a good banker.”

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