Southern Risk Management Education Center

09/23/2026

Four Regions. One Shared Mission.

Over the past month, the FARM Champion Podcast explored how agricultural producers are navigating risk in four very different regions of the United States.

Through the Risk Management Across America series, Ahlishia sat down with four leaders of the regional Extension Risk Management Education Centers:

▪️ Dr. Ron Rainey, Southern Risk Management Education Center
▪️ Laurie Wolinski, Northeast Extension Risk Management Education Center
▪️ Dr. Brad Lubben, North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center
▪️ Dr. Shannon Neibergs, Western Extension Risk Management Education Center

A huge thank you to each of our guests for sharing their expertise and helping us showcase the people and programs working alongside farmers and ranchers across the country!

🎧 Catch up on all the latest episodes: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2606657/episodes

09/23/2026

Surviving the Downturn: Exit strategies

The decision to leave farming and move into another sphere is a topic taken up by Jonathan Shepherd and Kenny Burdine in the publication “Surviving the Farm Economy Downturn.”

09/22/2026

🌱 The September Farm Champion Newsletter is here!

This month’s issue includes resources, opportunities, and helpful information to support farmers as they get started and succeed.

Check out the latest Farm Champion newsletter and discover resources that can help you along the way:

Email from Southern Risk Management Education Center Learn more about Farm Answers and CropCost in the latest FARM Champion Newsletter     IN THIS ISSUE Farm Answers: Nearly 6,000 Resources for New Fa

09/18/2026

Authors: Bart L. Fischer, Joe L. Outlaw, Henry L. Bryant, Hank R. Nelson, Natalie G. Stewart, J. Marc Raulston, Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University. The ARC/PLC election & enrollment for 2026 is now live through December 11. You can access AFPC’s decision tool here. Earlier...

09/17/2026

Some of our SRMEC team members had the opportunity to attend the Organic Trade Association's Organic Week in Washington, D.C.

A few highlights from the week! 📸

Learn more about this event: https://ota.com/organic-week

09/17/2026

Cattle prices are strong, but strong prices don’t eliminate risk. Ahlishia sits down with James Mitchell, agricultural economist and Extension specialist with the University of Arkansas, to unpack what’s driving today’s cattle market and what it means for producers.

Dr. Mitchell discusses historically low cattle inventories, drought, rising input costs, and other forces creating both opportunity and uncertainty. He shares practical strategies for understanding cow costs, developing a thoughtful marketing plan, and focusing on the risks producers can control. The conversation also explores the economic implications of New World screwworm and highlights trusted resources and decision tools for cattle producers and the professionals who serve them.

Listen now 🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2606657/episodes/19803341-episode-22-where-s-the-beef-understanding-cattle-markets-and-managing-risk -notes

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, University of Arkansas

09/17/2026

Farming brings its own kind of pressure, and financial stress can show up in ways that are easy to miss or explain away. This piece from Erica Fields, associate director and financial manager for the Southern Risk Management Education Center and a licensed social worker, walks through how to recognize the signs of financial strain in yourself or a neighbor, and what to do next.

🔗 Read more: https://bit.ly/Surviving-the-downturn-stress
📖 Full report, "Surviving the Farm Economy Downturn: 2026 Update": https://afpc.tamu.edu/research/publications/735



Southern Risk Management Education Center

09/15/2026

Extension Risk Management Education Competitive Grants Program 2027

Notice of Funding Opportunity

⏰ Application Deadline: November 12, 2026

View the complete NOFO ➡️ https://files.constantcontact.com/55680989801/23a79f33-b847-4228-977b-7366b8bf8bb8.pdf?rdr=true

https://myemail.constantcontact.com/ERME-Notice-of-Funding-Opportunity--NOFO--.html?soid=1136430974549&aid=ztvwPYqA8Xo

Email from Southern Risk Management Education Center Application Deadline: November 12, 2026   Extension Risk Management Education Competitive Grants Program 2027 Notice of Funding Opportunity Applica

09/14/2026

Authors: Kelli Russell, Jean Ribert Francois, Madison Harris, and Mykel Taylor, Auburn University-Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology Depending on their vantage point, people define “good farming” in a myriad of ways,  from profitability and production yields to conservatio...

09/14/2026

⏰ Early bird registration is almost over!

Join us October 19–21 in Raleigh, North Carolina, for the National Agricultural Marketing Summit!

Early bird registration closes September 13, so now is a great time to get registered and take advantage of the early bird rate.

🌱 Growing Markets, Growing People, Growing Impact

Learn more and register at: https://www.regcytes.extension.iastate.edu/agsummit/