Friday, August 18, 2017

The Benefits of the 4-H Program


Based in Isanti, MN, Jerry Westrom is the risk management specialist at Crop Revenue Management, Inc., and also the owner of his own organic farm. When not working outside or enjoying a wide variety of hobbies, such as deer hunting and fishing, Jerry Westrom likes to support many philanthropic organizations around his Isanti, MN, community, including 4-H, which has been inspiring children for over 100 years.

Founded at the beginning of the 20th century, 4-H is committed to practical and hands-on learning for children, to inspire their creativity and to teach leadership and self-confidence. Today, over 500,000 volunteers help the six million children that are part of the program.

4-H covers a wide degree of different programs, including healthy living, science, and citizenship. These programs allow children to do hands-on projects in a positive environment, and lets them focus on the areas most interesting to them, widening their skill set around good role models.

Through 4-H, young people are empowered to be active in their communities, physically and mentally healthy, and well-educated. 

These programs are offered at clubs, camps, after-school programs, and in-school programs nationwide, for children from ages five to 18.

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Crop Revenue Management Insurance Programs




As a self-employed organic farmer in Isanti, MN, Jerry Westrom assesses crops that are grown using organic operations, along with the processing and handling of the products being prepared for sale. Jerry Westrom is a member of Crop Revenue Management, a commodity brokerage that also provides crop insurance to farmers.

Crop Revenue Management operates a crop insurance program with tools like the Crop Revenue Evaluator that helps farmers protect their income in the event of unforeseen circumstances, such as crop-hail. Farmers can choose from two types of programs: Multiple Peril Crop Insurance, and Private Products Insurance.

Since the Federal Crop Insurance Program does not cover private products, farmers can get policies for such products through private insurers that are organized through Crop Revenue Management. Multiple Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI) requires that policies be purchased prior to planting, but the MPCI policy covers a variety of situations, such as disease, freezing, excess moisture, and drought.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Investors Gauge Effect of New U.S. Administration on Ag Commodities


Jerry Westrom is a respected Isanti, MN, commodity broker who engages with CGB Diversified Services in assisting crop insurance agents spanning the United States in growing wealth and managing risk. Jerry Westrom and his Isanti, MN, team have extensive experience in all aspects of commodities forecasting and trading, including wheat, soybeans, and corn. 

A recent Rabobank Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory report examined the implications of the new Trump administration on food and agriculture policy and price dynamics. With policies not yet well defined, a level of uncertainty prevails and a near term area of investor focus is on consumer confidence and volatilities in foreign exchange markets. In general, rallies in US currency prices exert downward pressure on futures for US commodities, as imports become more expensive for consumer countries.

In the longer term, analysts are on the lookout for administration shifts in areas such as labor, agricultural policy, and trade agreements, which effect both the prices at which commodities are produced and those at which they reach foreign consumers.