The Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability, the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) have announced a significant new initiative aimed at enhancing finance and insurance solutions for U.S. farmers and ranchers. This collaborative effort, named the Resilient Agriculture Finance and Insurance Research Collaborative, will officially solicit initial research proposals starting on January 15, 2026.
The initiative is designed to address the increasing challenges that U.S. farmers face due to unpredictable weather patterns and economic pressures. Vincent Gauthier, Senior Manager for Climate-Smart Agriculture at EDF, emphasized the urgency of this initiative, stating, “U.S. farmers are facing increasingly challenging weather and economic conditions, making it more difficult to consistently and profitably grow the crops that sustain both their livelihoods and our food system.” The aim is to develop financing and insurance strategies that empower farmers to adopt sustainable practices that enhance their resilience.
December 11, 2025, marks an important date for interested researchers, who are encouraged to participate in an interactive webinar at 14:00 EST. This session will facilitate connections between researchers and industry partners, fostering collaborative relationships crucial to the initiative’s success.
Key Objectives of the Collaborative Initiative
The Resilient Agriculture Finance and Insurance Research Collaborative focuses on several key priorities aimed at supporting innovations in finance and insurance. These include:
1. **Financing the Transition to Resilient Practices**: This objective involves evaluating the returns on investment and associated risks of adopting resilient agricultural practices. This information will help shape agricultural lending solutions tailored for these practices.
2. **Aligning Resilient Practices with Risk and Insurance Outcomes**: The initiative seeks to assess how these practices impact yield stability and production risk, which will guide future insurance solutions.
3. **Valuing Resilience in Farmland and Mortgage Markets**: The collaborative will analyze how resilient practices influence land values, collateral considerations, and loan repayment capabilities. Insights gained will inform appraisal and underwriting models used in agricultural finance.
Alan Martinez, Climate and Nature Finance Strategic Partnerships Lead at Cornell Atkinson, noted the importance of collaboration, stating, “This effort is about doing research differently. We’re bringing researchers and industry leaders together. At Cornell Atkinson, we see this as essential to moving research to impact.”
About the Organizations Involved
The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) plays a pivotal role in this initiative by facilitating public-private partnerships that fund innovative research. Established as part of the 2014 Farm Bill, FFAR aims to enhance agricultural research investments in the United States, filling knowledge gaps and complementing the research agenda of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability serves as a hub for sustainability research at Cornell University. By partnering with government agencies, non-profits, and industry stakeholders, the center accelerates efforts to mitigate climate risks and enhance food security. Its mission focuses on translating research into tangible impacts on public policies and practices related to sustainability.
The Environmental Defense Fund, with over 3 million members, is also a critical partner in this initiative. By integrating science, economics, and innovative partnerships, EDF seeks to address pressing environmental issues effectively.
As the Resilient Agriculture Finance and Insurance Research Collaborative prepares for its launch, the focus remains on driving impactful research that supports U.S. farmers in navigating the complexities of modern agriculture. For more information about funding opportunities and to stay updated on the initiative, interested parties can visit the Cornell Atkinson website.
