United States 

Department A Risk Management Agency Fact Sheet 

of Agriculture
 About the Risk 

Management Agency

 Revised June 2013 

Program Aid 

1667-02 

 

What Is RMA? 

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Risk 

Management Agency (RMA) operates and manages 

the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC). RMA 

was created in 1996; FCIC was founded in 1938. 

RMA, through FCIC, provides crop insurance to 

American farmers and ranchers. Private-sector 

insurance companies sell and service the policies. 

RMA develops and/or approves the premium rate, 

administers premium and expense subsidies, approves 

and supports products, and reinsures the companies. 

RMA also sponsors educational and outreach programs 

and seminars on the general topic of risk management. 

RMA’s fiscal year 2013 

expenses budget was $69.1 

million. Since 2001, the size 

of the program has grown 

tremendously (see chart, p. 

2). In crop year 2012, RMA 

managed nearly $117 billion 

worth of insurance liability 

(see table, p. 1). 

 

RMA’s Mission Statement 

Serving America’s agricultural producers through 

effective, market-based risk management tools and 

solutions to strengthen the economic stability of 

agricultural producers and rural communities. 

RMA’s Vision Statement 

Providing world-class agricultural risk management 

products, tools, education, and outreach. 

RMA’s Strategic Goals 

	 Goal 1 Increase the availability and effectiveness 

of Federal crop insurance as a risk management 

tool while enhancing and protecting the soundness 

of the program. 

	 Goal 2 Ensure a fair and effective risk 

management product delivery system. 

	 Goal 3 Provide education and outreach to 

stakeholders to ensure access to risk management 

tools and products. 

	 Goal 4 Safeguard the integrity of the Federal 

Crop Insurance Program. 

How Is RMA Structured? 

RMA employs approximately 450 people in offices 

around the country. RMA Administrator Brandon 

Willis was appointed in January 2013. He also serves 

as the manager of the FCIC. Located within the Office 

of the Administrator are the Director of External 

Affairs, the Director of Civil Rights and Outreach, the 

Director of Program Support, the Chief Information 

Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, and the Secretary 

to the FCIC Board of Directors. 

The Agency has three divisions: Insurance Services, 

Product Management, and Risk Compliance. Insurance 

Services is responsible for program delivery (for 

example, managing contracts 

with the companies that sell 

and service policies), and 

local program administration 

and support. Product 

Management is responsible 

for overseeing product 

development. Risk 

Compliance monitors 

compliance with program 

provisions by both producers 

and private insurance companies that participate in the 

program. 

Can I Learn More About RMA? 

More information about RMA can be found on our 

main web site at www.rma.usda.gov. You can find 

agency news, summaries of insurance sales, 

information on pilot programs, downloadable crop 

policies, agency-sponsored events, State profiles, and 

other publications. The site also features online tools 

and applications such as the Agent Locator, the 

Premium Calculator, and the Summary of Business. 

RMA’s web site, Farm Risk Plans, is designed for 

farmers and ranchers and is dedicated to providing risk 

management information to the Nation’s farmers and 

ranchers. The site features risk management planning, 

better marketing planning, new enterprise planning, 

and a farm planning library. 

Crop Year 2012 Program Size 

Number of Policies ............... 1.17 million 

Total Premium .................... $11.1 billion 

Crop Value Insured .............. $117 billion 

Acres Insured ...................... 282 million 

Data accurate as of May 2013 

This fact sheet gives only a general overview of the Federal Crop Insurance Program and is not a complete policy. For further 

information and an evaluation of your risk management needs, contact a crop insurance agent. 
 

RMA Insures 

Annual Forage, Apples, Apiculture, Avocados, Barley, 

Citrus, Clams, Corn, Cotton, Flax, Florida Fruit Trees, 

Forage Production, Grain Sorghum, Green Peas, 

Livestock, Macadamia Nuts, Macadamia Trees, Millet, 

Mint, Nursery, Organic Crops, Potatoes, Rangeland, Rice, 

Rye, Safflower, Soybeans, Sugar Beets, Sugarcane, 

Sunflowers, Wheat ... and many more. 

This is a partial listing of crops and/or livestock eligible for coverage. A 

more complete listing can be found on our web site at 

www.rma.usda.gov/policies/2013policy.html. To find out if a crop is 

insured in your county, please contact your insurance agent. Agent 

information can be found at www3.rma.usda.gov/tools/agents/ 

companies/ or your local USDA Service Center. 

       

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Liability ($Billions)

Acres (Thousands) 

Crop Year

Liability andNet AcresInsured

Liability 

Net Acres 

Data accurate as of May 2013 

RMA oversaw nearly $117 billion in 

liability in 2012. Its streamlined processes 

and structure allow it to manage change 

effectively and efficiently. 

Contact Us 

USDA/RMA 

Mail Stop 0801 

1400 Independence Ave., SW 

Washington, DC 20250-0801 

Web sites: www.rma.usda.gov 

 www.farm-risk-plans.usda.gov

 E-mail: RMA.CCO@rma.usda.gov 

Freedom of Information Act Requests 

www.rma.usda.gov/aboutrma/foia/request.html 

Download Copies from the Web

Visit our online publications/fact sheets page at: 

www.rma.usda.gov/pubs/rme/fctsht.html 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs 

and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where 

applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited 

bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means 

for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should 

contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). 

To file a complaint of discrimination, complete, sign and mail a program discrimination 

complaint form, (available at any USDA office location or online at 

www.ascr.usda.gov), to: United States Department of Agriculture; Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights; 1400 Independence Ave., SW; Washington, DC 20250-

9410. Or call toll free at (866) 632-9992 (voice) to obtain additional information, the 

appropriate office or to request documents. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, 

or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay service at 

(800) 877-8339 or (800) 845-6136. 

Risk Management Agency About the Risk Management Agency/PA-1667-02