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3. 2026 Extension Risk Management Education National Conference

AgFTAP Cooperators: Supporting Farmers Experiencing Financial Challenges

Alicia Netterville

Summary

In 2013, U.S. net farm income reached an all-time high of $123.8 billion. By 2016, it had declined by nearly half to $61.5 billion, placing significant financial pressure on farmers and ranchers nationwide. Many producers are operating at a loss, restructuring debt, or exiting agriculture altogether. Risk management education plays a critical role in helping producers assess financial health, manage risk, and improve the long-term viability of their operations. The AgFTAP Cooperators Project is a national collaborative aimed at supporting farmers experiencing financial challenges. AgFTAP Cooperators help farmers understand their financial situations, navigate loan servicing options, and access appropriate program support. Through a cooperative agreement with the USDA Farm Service Agency, the 1890 Universities Foundation collaborates with the Southern Risk Management Education Center to implement the AgFTAP Cooperators Project. AgFTAP Cooperators, including universities and community-based organizations, provide one-on-one technical assistance to farmers experiencing financial challenges across 18 states through its dual-level training model. While farmers receive individualized assistance, AgFTAP Cooperators participate in structured trainings focused on balance sheet interpretation, cash flow and liquidity analysis, borrower rights, and navigation of USDA programs. Preliminary results demonstrate measurable gains in AgFTAP Cooperator capacity, including increased confidence in teaching farm financial concepts, improved understanding of key risk indicators, and stronger alignment in service delivery approaches. Early producer outcomes include a documented case in which technical assistance helped a borrower restructure outside debt, resulting in loan approval. This session will highlight the AgFTAP Cooperators Project's design, training framework, early outcomes, and lessons learned.

Details

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