farm data

The Future of Insurance in Agriculture, with Damon Johnson, Global Ag Risk Solutions

The Future of Insurance in Agriculture, with Damon Johnson, Global Ag Risk Solutions

For a traditionally low innovation industry, things are starting to heat up in agricultural insurance.

While it remains something of a black box for many people in agriculture, the forces of climate change and technological innovation are creating the right mix of incentives that could change how the whole industry manages risk.

This second episode of our exploration of ag insurance considers a digitally-native product in the hands of farmers today. While still in their infancy, these digitally-native reimaginings of insurance as it exists will be the difference between farmers spending hours, days, and weeks dealing with brokers and getting payouts, compared to almost instant quotes, claims, and reimbursements.

Bonus Ep: Ag Insurance 101

Bonus Ep: Ag Insurance 101

Climate change will mean more frequent, extreme weather and more risk exposure for farmers around the world. This increased risk should be a driver for the business of agricultural insurers. But, it’s not easy to predict how climate change and digital-disruption might transform one of the world’s oldest industries.

Actually, we’ve come to realize it isn’t easy to understand how agricultural insurance works at all.

So, in the spirit of learning out loud, we’re releasing TWO episodes this week. This first one dives into the mysterious world of ag insurance with a 101-style conversation with Matt Coutts, Chief Investment Officer of Coutts Capital, and Tenacious Ventures General Partner Matthew Pryor.

Making Decisions in the Face of Uncertainty, with Hallie Shoffner

Making Decisions in the Face of Uncertainty, with Hallie Shoffner

It isn’t surprising that most farmers have to be expert planners and investors. But getting an inside view into how a farmer plans for the future of their business is a rare opportunity.

In this episode, you’ll hear firsthand how Hallie Shoffner, a sixth-generation row crop farmer in the Mississippi Delta, makes decisions for her farm and company, SFR Seed. While Hallie is an enthusiastic adopter of new farming innovations, this conversation shows that every decision must be well supported by reliable data and the right incentives.

“Not a cheerleader, not the enemy”, journalist Sarah Mock on making windows in the walls around agriculture

“Not a cheerleader, not the enemy”, journalist Sarah Mock on making windows in the walls around agriculture

Sarah Mock is a US reporter who isn’t afraid of calling out the agriculture industry. While sometimes portrayed as being anti-farming, Sarah describes herself as “not a cheerleader; not the enemy”. She grew up on a farm in Wyoming and has also worked with agtech startups and in farm data analysis. Sarah Mock wants a more truthful agriculture industry and is on a mission to “make windows in the walls around farming”.