News

Save the Date for the 2027 Extension Risk Management Education National Conference – April 13-15, 2027 in Baltimore, MD at the Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards. The conference will bring together public and private sector educators, crop insurance agents, lenders, and other agricultural professionals to share ongoing and emerging successful risk management education efforts that target farmers, ranchers and their families.

The 2027 ERME Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

The Western Extension Risk Management Education (ERME) Center, in conjunction with the Northeast, North Central, and Southern Centers, announces competitive funding opportunities for educational projects designed to help agricultural producers improve their economic viability through targeted risk management strategies.

• November 12, 2026 by 5pm – Application Deadline
• February 12, 2027 – Award Notification

Eligibility: This announcement seeks applications from qualified public and private groups, organizations, and institutions including land grant colleges and universities, Cooperative Extension, other colleges and universities, and other public and private entities with a demonstrated capacity to develop and deliver results/impact-based risk management education projects for agricultural producers and their families. The Western Center serves Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the U.S. Pacific islands.

1. Risk Management Education Projects

This funding opportunity focuses on educational projects designed to help agricultural producers improve their economic viability through targeted risk management strategies. Proposed programs should address any of the five areas of risk: production, marketing, financial, legal or human. The maximum award will be $75,000 with a grant duration of 18 months to be conducted between April 1, 2027 and September 30, 2028. Each regional Center anticipates funding 15-25 new grants from this announcement, subject to the availability of funds and the quality of applications received.

2. Exploratory Projects

This funding provides a unique opportunity to initiate new ideas and/or explore emerging risk topic areas to better address farmer/rancher risk management education needs. Exploratory projects can be used to organize and host a producer education workshop(s) or conference or be used for development projects that can lead to application for a Risk Management Education or Underutilization of Crop Insurance Project in a future year. The maximum award will be $10,000 with a grant duration of 18 months between April 1, 2027 and September 30, 2028.

3. Underutilization of Crop Insurance Projects

This funding opportunity is specifically designated for the delivery of risk management education to agricultural producers who underutilize the Federal Crop Insurance program. The maximum funding shall not exceed $100,000 for the 18-month period between April 1, 2027 and September 30, 2028. The Western Center anticipates funding various new grants from this announcement, subject to the availability of funds and the quality of applications received.