Drought and Excess Moisture Crop Insurance Indemnities to Tennessee Corn Producers

The Federal Crop Insurance Program has grown to become the primary agricultural safety net for corn [Zea mays L.] producers. In 2020, insured liabilities totaled $43.98 billion in the United States (U.S.). Crop insurance provides corn producers in the U.S. with in-season protection against declines in revenue or production, below the revenue or production guarantee, due to an insured cause of loss. Crop insurance has evolved over time with significant changes occurring through Farm Bills and Ad Hoc legislation. This thesis is divided into two chapters. Chapter 1 discusses the legislative history of the crop insurance program, basics of crop insurance, and participation rates in the U.S. and Tennessee by corn producers. Chapter 2 provides an analysis of crop insurance indemnity payments to Tennessee corn producers due to drought and excess moisture from 1989 to 2020.