Perennial Crop Insurance Summit

Released on = July 14, 2005, 11:21 am

Press Release Author = Nicholas Pyle

Industry = Agriculture

Press Release Summary = Perennial Crop Insurance Summit - July 27, 2005

Press Release Body = July 14, 2005
Announcement

TO: Perennial Crop Producers & Interested Others

FR: Nicholas Pyle of Pyle & Associates and Tom Davenport - National Grape Cooperative Association and Others

RE: Perennial Crop Insurance Summit - July 27, 2005

Your organization is identified to us as having expressed or should have an interest in participating in a Crop Insurance Summit. We have scheduled one as follows:

Location: National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, 50 F Street – Suite 900

Time: 9 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Registration: $75 (make checks payable to Pyle & Associates) Deadline July 22

An agenda and registration form follow. Our goal is to develop a set of recommendations that will result in an improved crop insurance program for perennial
crop producers. Ross Davidson, Administrator for USDA RMA, challenged us to bring him a plan on how crop insurance could be improved. We will focus our energy and time on this and other big picture issues.

Although crop insurance is used by perennial crop producers, it does not cover the all risks associated with production of high value crops, where even slight crop losses and lessened quality impacts value which can be devastating. In addition, the cyclical nature of perennial crop production, where weather-related impacts can have negative production effects for several years, needs to be better recognized within
the crop insurance program.

We need your help to develop a more effective crop insurance program for perennial crop producers. We envision that some of our recommendations can be
“administratively” adopted into the current program while others may likely require legislative changes before they can be adopted.

Input from those of us with first-hand knowledge is critical to successful reform. We hope that you’ll join us. The program fee covers lunch and Audio Visual expenses. The National Council Of Farmer Cooperatives is graciously allowing their office and
conference rooms for the event and NY Wine and Grape Foundation promised a large grant to cover additional meeting expenses including a professional facilitator. Should registration exceed 40 we will move to the Washington Court Hotel or one of the other hotels close to NCFC on New Jersey Avenue. Please include your email and cell phone numbers so we may alert you if there is a change of venues to accommodate the number of registrants. If you have questions, contact Nick Pyle at 202-333-8578, or Tom Davenport at 716-326-5291.

CROP INSURANCE SUMMIT FOR PERENNIAL CROPS

Tentative Program Agenda – July 27, 2005

9 – 9:45 a.m. Registration and Coffee

9:45 – 10 a.m. Welcome and Introductions – Tom Davenport, National Grape Cooperative

10 – 10:20 a.m. The Value and Importance Of Crop Insurance for Perennial Crops – Nathan Rudgers, New York Commissioner of Agriculture

* Invited

10:20 – 10:40 a.m. Perspectives on Crop Insurance From The USDA – Risk Management Agency Administrator Ross Davidson

10:40 – 11 a.m. Perspectives on Crop Insurance From The House Agriculture Committee – Dave Ebersole Professional Staff – Crop Insurance Specialist

11 – 11:20 a.m. Perspectives on Crop Insurance From The Senate Agriculture Committee – Christy Sieyfert Professional Staff – Crop Insurance Specialist

11:20 – Noon Group Discussion

Noon – 1 p.m. Lunch

1 – 2 p.m. Breakout Discussions on Crop Insurance
Issues and Concerns

2:30 – 3 p.m. Breakout Discussions to Define Solutions

3 – 3:15 p.m. Break

3:15 – 4 p.m. Continuation of Breakout Discussions to
Define Solutions

4 – 4:45 p.m. Bringing It All Together and Next Action
Steps – Meeting Facilitator

4:45 p.m. Adjourn

Crop Insurance for Perennial Crops

Summit Registration Form

July 27, 2007

9 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Location: National Council of Farmer Cooperatives Capper Volstead Conference Rooms 50 F Street, NW - Suite 900

· If Attendance exceeds 40 then we will move to the Washington Court Hotel - 525 New Jersey Avenue, NW

Registration Fee: $75.00 per person (Covers lunch and all materials)

Make Checks Payable: Pyle & Associates

And Mail to: Post Office Box 25001

Georgetown Station

Washington, DC 20027-8001

Registrant Information:

Name:

Company:
Address:

Phone Number:

Cellular Phone:

Fax:

E-Mail Address:

Hotel arrangements are up to individuals.

Web Site = http://

Contact Details = Nicholas A. Pyle, Government Relations Welch’s
1223 Potomac Street, NW
Washington, DC 20007
202-333-8190
Facsimile – 202-337-3809
npyle@attglobal.net