Robert Cerda Email & Phone Number

Processing cucumbers: Farm level insurance productThe processing cucumber insurance product was developed at the request of a farmer. The program is now available in Texas, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Maryland, Delaware and North Carolina.Camelina: Farm level insurance productThis crop insurance product protects the emerging aviation biofuel industry from yield shortfalls.Sweet Potatoes: Farm level insurance productThe sweet potato program began in 2011. It protects the industry from yield shortfalls and problems with product quality.Fresh Market Beans: Farm level insurance productThe insurance program has been well received. Growers elected buy up coverage at a rate of 2:1. The program is offered in three states: NC, VA & NY. CIS is responding to expansion requests.Oysters: Indexed ProductApproximately 50% of the market purchased insurance in the first two years of the program. Most policies were at higher coverage levels. The Deepwater Horizon incident caused a suspension of the program. Sugarcane: IndexAt the request of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation and The American Sugar Cane League, CIS developed an index program to fill perceived weaknesses in the individual insurance program. Sugarcane: Farm level insurance productIn developing the sugarcane index program, CIS discovered anomalies in insurance rates. CIS recommended lower premium rates based upon risk. A reviewer concurred and RMA cut premiums 46%.Certified Wheat Seed: Additional PriceThe certified wheat seed price endorsement is a wheat policy endorsement that will allow growers to insure their crop at a higher price. The product is currently caught in a disagreement regarding the Paperwork Reduction Act between RMA and OMB. Combined Coverage AdvantageAn analysis suggested the proposed insurance program was superior to the current APH program and encouraged development. Regardless, the FCIC Board of Directors did not fund development of this inovative product.

Provided oversight and surveillance of contractor work processes, evaluated contractor performance, accepted or rejected deliverables, audited contractor performance. Acted as technical expert providing technical guidance to contractors designing new programs. Determined products and services required by the RMA, prepared work statements and budgets for contracting activities. Designed, developed and implemented new crop insurance programs. Performed research and evaluation of numerous agricultural industries to design, develop and provide effective forms of insurance. Conducted focus groups to ensure insurance product design closely matched the agricultural producer’s business needs. Conducted midrange and long-range analytical studies ensuring agricultural producers an appropriate balance of costs and benefits for each insurance program. Ensured newly established crop insurance programs were properly supported by statutory and regulatory authority. Coordinated and monitored established insurance programs to ensure proper functioning of the insurance program design. Evaluated crop insurance programs and other risk management programs for market acceptance, costs of administration, underwriting gains and losses, program simplicity, administrative feasibility, customer service and vulnerability control.

Supervised staff developing crop insurance programs and underwriting standards across a diverse range of crop insurance products and processes. Worked to provide consistency and value for farmers and primary insurers in the delivery of federal crop insurance products.

Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, Springfield Field Underwriting Office; Managed crop insurance programs in five states.