Farm Director, KC Sheperd, is talking with the head of sales and service at the Rural Community Insurance Services (RCIS), Jeff Bahr. Bahr talks about what producers need to be aware of in 2024 and the RCIS Apprenticeship Program.
RCIS is a crop insurance provider, insuring farms across the country. RCIS works directly with crop insurance agents who travel to farms to deliver policies.
“What we encourage them to do is to start looking at all of these different risk management plans that are available, talk to their RCIS agent in advance, and start putting that together to make sure all of their crops are going to be protected in 2024,” Bahr said.
When it comes to volatile weather patterns, Bahr said crop insurance is the best protection method that a producer can invest in.
“We have the federal crop insurance program that 90 percent of farmers actually take advantage of, so most all of them do that, however, there are also some private products like a revenue protection policy through RCIS that provides coverage beyond what the federal crop insurance program does, and it also can have a claim on that without having a federal crop insurance claim,” Bahr said.
RCIS has a presence in Washington, D.C., Bahr said, and is always trying to help make sure that farmers, crop insurance agents, and insurance programs are protected.
“As we know, the farm bill is being pushed out for a year, but we want to continue to have a presence there,” Bahr said.
Bahr also talked about the RCIS apprenticeship program, a two-year program that will pay for an individual’s associate’s degree while working for RCIS.
“They get full benefits, full pay, and full tuition reimbursement,” Bahr said. “This is a wonderful program for high school graduates, veterans, and anybody who is wanting to do a career change,” Bahr said.
Once individuals graduate and complete the program, Bahr said they have a guaranteed spot on the RCIS team.
“We have had fantastic results through the last few years on this, and we want to continue,” Bahr said.
Bahr said applications are being accepted now, and the team plans to have interviews completed by June 1, 2024. To apply or learn more about the RCIS Apprenticeship Program, CLICK HERE!
