Crop insurance has a new plan. Margin protection can help farmers mitigate commodity price fluctuations, operating margin challenges and other known risks in agriculture. In the past, there were only a few plans that covered natural disasters (or the crop yield) or revenue and sales — as well as area protection for the farm. MPP, as it’s known in the insurance industry, is not available in every state. PNC Bank spoke with Michael Vallery, a farmer and partner at Vallery and Dorn Insurance, about the plan details and availability (there is an enrollment window). Vallery also shares the select growing states where the plan is available.

Having a complete picture of your farm’s worth is important for retirement and succession planning. At the same time, valuing a farm — with its land, buildings and expensive equipment — can be complex. From securing credit, to planning an estate and paying taxes, to setting rental fees, selling the operation or passing it along to the next generation, there is a variety of legal advice and appraisal guidance needed to help figure it all out. This podcast shares strategies for assessing the total value of a farming business.

Good young hands are crucial to the farming industry, yet they are becoming increasingly difficult to find. Young job seekers often look elsewhere: Due in large part to consolidation and automation, agriculture employment has dropped from 41% of the U.S. workforce at the start of 20th century to less than 2% at the start of the 21st, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report. Yet the USDA estimates that more than 20,000 agriculture jobs go unfilled each year. This podcast offers tactics to help you attract the best and brightest.

One of the joys of running any small business is the sense of serving a tightly knit community. These days, "community" may refer not just to physical proximity but also to digitally connected people scattered across the country or around the world. Even if you’ve always thought of yourself as local, it pays to consider ways to expand your world by generating new leads, wherever they live. Here are some tips.

A 2014 study by consulting firm Float Mobile Learning found that 94% of producers now use mobile devices in their work. And a 2015 study by DTN The Progressive Farmer predicts that by 2017, 88% of producers will be using mobile devices as much as, or more than, their desktop computers, to help manage their operations. The podcast explores how digital advances can help boost farm and agribusinesses.

Perhaps the best example of cross-selling comes from a certain fast-food chain that asks,

"Would you like fries with that?" The logic behind this phrase applies to all businesses: Customers who buy one of your products are likely to be interested in additional items that complement their original purchase. The podcast explores how cross-selling can help you better meet customer needs, build customer loyalty and differentiate business from the competition.

Agriculture has long counted women among its industry professionals, since they contribute significantly to the operation and success of a wide array of farms and agribusinesses. In some ways, issues facing women farmers are not that much different from those facing their male counterparts. However, the Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency says it assists many women who experience barriers that hinder them from becoming successful farmers or ranchers.

Historically, farm and agribusiness commodities have not been known for product differentiation. But that is changing. Branding is a beneficial strategy when your business is introducing a new product or service, protecting its market position, expanding offerings or entering a new product or service category.

From labor matters to environmental concerns to property rights, plenty of political issues face today’s agricultural professionals. Developing relationships with legislative and regulatory officials is a must in order to influence public policies that impact your farm or agribusiness.

Niche marketing connects a product or service to a small, specific market. The niche itself may be an entirely new market or a unique portion of an established market. This podcast explains how strategically entering a niche market can expand your business, income and customer base.