Country Times

Spring 2022

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• Update from President Jim Korin
  NAU Country President Jim Korin provides us with insight on 2022 and more.

• Chief of Operations Update from Mick Deal
  NAU Country Chief Operation Officer Mick Deal shares updates on the day-to-day operations of the company and recent leadership changes.

• 2022 AACI Fly-In
  NAU Country attended the American Association of Crop Insurers (AACI) "Fly-In" conference to meet with legislators on topics surrounding the federal crop insurance program.

• Tis' the Season
  NAU Country's Vice President of Farm Services Rich Morrison provides commentary on the current and future commodity markets.

• NAU Country Gains Insight During Onsite Nursery Training
  Several members of NAU Country's Claims, Marketing, Underwriting, Compliance, Training, and IT teams attended a Nursery Field Training in Orlando, FL, in April 2022.

• Regional Branch Updates
  Hear from a few of our branch offices with feedback on recent winter and spring conditions.

• NAU Country Ranks Second in NCIS Standings
  NAU Country is proud to announce that we've climbed to the second position in the National Crop Insurance Services (NCIS) standings!

Additional features within the 2022 spring edition:

• NAU Country Leadership Meeting
• Cheers to 50 Years of Service - Gene Grimsley
• Technological Advances Are a Boon for Farmers, So Long As They Have The Right Insurance Partner
• Top Five Acreage Reporting Time Savers
• On the Road with NAU Country
• Spotlight On Our Employees
• Retirements - Marv Goergen
• Farm to Table Fun
• Recognizing Excellent Customer Service
• Agent Trip 2022
• 2023 Photo Calendar Contest
• NAU Country Signs Deal with Agriculture Intelligence for Agroview

Spring 2020

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• Update from President Jim Korin
  NAU Country President Jim Korin gives an update on operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, and our technology enhancements expected in 2020.
• Update from AACI
  NAU Country Senior Vice President of Compliance and General Counsel and new member of the American Association of Crop Insurers (AACI) Board in Washington, D.C., Doug Jakway provides insight on how AACI is determined to protect our agriculture supply chain during the current environment.
• Commodity Market Commentary with Rich Morrison
  NAU Country Vice President of Farm Services Rich Morrison discusses his role and commentary on the current commodity market.
• How Crop Insurance Helps to Minimize 5 Key Risks Facing American Farmers
  NAU Country President Jim Korin talks about the risks that face farmers today and how the choice of crop insurer matters.
• COVID-19 meets crop insurance
  When customer service and social distancing compete in a world dealing with COVID-19, NAU Country Insurance Company offers service and technology that can help.
• Easy Acreage Reporting with Precision Farming
  With the current situation and environment, our improved functionality will make reporting planted acres for 2020 easier than ever!

Additional features within the 2020 spring edition:

• Agency spotlight - RJ's Crop Service Insurance Agency
• Spotlight on our employees
• Happy Retirement to Larry Heitman and Jerry Schwan
• Got Milk Coverage?
• Keeping you in the know...
• NAU Country Cares
• Stewards of change and sustainability...continued
• QBE North America donates 95,000 3M masks to U.S. hospitals to aid in the battle against COVID-19
• NAU Country Insurance Company expands use of Iteris ClearAg for crop risk management
• Crop insurance by the numbers
• Antigua agent trip
• On the road with NAU Country
  

Fall 2020

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• Update from President Jim Korin
  NAU Country President Jim Korin provides us with the latest industry updates, how our focus remains committed to our agents and farmers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, details on the Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO), and an outlook for 2021.
• Update from AACI
  NAU Country Senior Vice President of Compliance and General Counsel and member of the American Association of Crop Insurers (AACI) Board in Washington, D.C., Doug Jakway provides insight on how AACI delivers a steady voice for the American farmer and the crop insurance industry.
• Agricultural Market Commentary
  NAU Country Vice President of Farm Services Rich Morrison provides commentary on the current and future commodity markets.
• NAU Country leads the development of the Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO)
  ECO can assist the American farmer to further protect their crops with this exciting and new crop insurance product. 
• Regional updates
  The year in review includes information on the Hurricane Insurance Protection program and how several severe weather events impacted our farmers and agents across many of our Branch offices.
• Annual meetings
  Our Claims, Marketing, and IT teams adjusted with the changing social regulations and met a bit differently than usual this year to discuss industry news, new technology, and an outlook for 2021.
• COVID-19 meets crop insurance
  When customer service and social distancing compete in a world dealing with COVID-19, NAU Country Insurance Company offers service and technology that can help.

Additional features within the 2020 fall edition include:

• 2021 Agent Trip Update
• Spotlight on our employees
• In Memoriam
• Harvest Heartbreak met by helping hands
• Happy Retirement to Dale Ward and Mary Sellers
• QBE Foundation Grant Winners
• Service shines bright through the pandemic
• Explore the Agent Portal!
• Put field level data into the palm of your farmer's hands
• Fun on the Farm!
• Social media at work for you!

Spring 2019

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• Update from President Jim Korin
  Jim Korin discusses the implementation of the Farm Bill and company updates for 2019. 
• AACI and Washington, D.C. updates
  Immediate Past Chairman of the AACI Board of Directors and NAU Country Senior Vice President Larry Heitman fills us in with updates from AACI. Including the upcoming leadership development program called "Seeding the Future".
• Do your fields SPEAK to you?
  Have you seen our new national marketing campaign? We focus on our risk management tools including Field Insights™. As you chat with your farmers, let NAU Country know what else they'd like to "hear" from their fields.
• Get your photos published!
  It's time to send us your photos for the 2020 NAU Country Photo Calendar! The theme is 2020: Focused on Farming. YOUR photo could be in the calendar. Read more to learn how to participate! 
• NAU Country and Climate Corporation partnership
  Learn how together we're bridging the gap between field data collection and reporting through NAU Country's Precision Farming Dashboard with the help of the Climate FieldView™ Cloud Connection. 

Additional features within the 2019 spring edition:

• 2019 Agent Trip - Bravo at the Bávaro!
• Competitive Advantage – Tools your Farmers can use!
• Support in the storm
• Agency spotlight – Roland L. Geyer Agency
• Employee announcements
• NAU Country Cares – Volunteering, charity work, and more!
• Growing in success
• Have you checked out our awesome social media channels?
• Rodeo bullfighters save cowboys, NAU Country saves farms!
• On the road with NAU Country

Fall 2019

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• Update from President Jim Korin
  NAU Country President Jim Korin weighs in on prevent plant and harvest claims in 2019.
• AACI and Washington, D.C., update
  NAU Country Senior Vice President Larry Heitman fills us in with updates from Washington, D.C., crop insurance industry news, and the latest from the American Association of Crop Insurers (AACI).
• Rain, rain, go away!
  NAU Country's Senior Vice President of Claims Mark Mossman sheds light on the state of claims across the U.S.
• Sustainable farming decision tools
  Check out NAU Country's tools that assist our farmers to make the best decisions in the field. 
• Get excited for the new Agent Portal - Coming soon!
  Learn about our new Agent Portal that will be ready to fully launch in mid-2020!

Additional features within the 2019 fall edition:

• Strategy from the top - Visits from NAU Country's parent company QBE
• Spotlight on our employees
• Stewards of change and sustainability - QBE Foundation and Earthwatch expeditions
• NAU Country Cares - Volunteering, charity work, and more!
• Alarm on the farm: Suicide awareness
• On the road with NAU Country!
• IT Summit: Strategy matters
• Farmers listen to their fields with Field Insights™ 
• Annual Marketing meeting
• Women in Agribusiness Summit
• Farm photos in focus

Spring 2018

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• Update from President Jim Korin
Jim Korin discusses trends and NAU Country's dedication to serving our agents and farmers in 2018.
• Women in Ag!
  Meet some of the talented women that represent NAU Country in one of our feature stories and social media focus points this year.
• Focus on the farmer: Pulling together
  Meet Craig and Ashley Corzine from Assumption, IL, champion and award-winning power pullers with Corzine Motorsports
• AACI and Farm Bill 2018 updates
  Chairman of the AACI Board of Directors and NAU Country's own, Larry Heitman gives us an update on AACI and the very latest on the 2018 Farm Bill.

• Top 10/10 NAU honors
• Agency advertising opportunities
• Charitable NAU Country!
• Pre-planning safety
• Real technology to grow your book
• St. Lucia Agent Trip 2018
• Flights over the farm: Drones assist NAU Country
• On the road with NAU Country!

Fall 2018

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• Update from President Jim Korin 
NAU Country President Jim Korin discusses 2018 and more.
• Washington D.C. Farm Bill update
  Chairman of the AACI Board of Directors and NAU Country Senior Vice President Larry Heitman gives us an update from AACI and the latest on the 2018 Farm Bill.
• Dairy Revenue Protection is "udderly" exciting!
  Learn about the 'moo'-ving addition to what NAU Country offers the American dairy farmer.
• Innovative technology for our agents and farmers
  Chief Technology and Marketing Officer Michael Deal offers some insight on what's to come with NAU Country's technical advances into 2019!
• Update from Claims
  Our Senior Vice President of Claims Mark Mossman shares a personal story from the field. Also, learn about how NAU Country mobile can assist your claims process on the go. 

• 2018 IT Summit
• The real story behind precision farming
• NAU Country partners with all sides of the agricultural spectrum
• Congratulations, Curt Christofferson!
• Happy retirement, Linda Smetana!
• Women in Agribusiness Summit
• Marketing Meetings - We are ONE TEAM
• Intimate Relationships - From Leader's Edge Magazine
• Spotlight on our employees
• Farm Life in Photos!

Spring 2017

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• President Update
  Jim Korin reflects on the 2016 crop year results and looks back at how much the industry has changed in the past few crop years. He also discusses the upcoming 2018 Farm Bill. Learn how QBE NAU is investing in technology, our people and our customers as we continue to grow in 2017.  
• 2018 Farm Bill update
  Larry Heitman checks the pulse of Washington D.C. as the new chairman of the AACI Board of Directors. Read about his take on the challenges ahead in preparation for the 2018 Farm Bill.
• Employee recognitions
  Get the inside scoop on our employee recognition
  of Mark Mossman (Crop Industry Leadership Award), as well as Roy Jackson and Jimmy Raivala (QBE NAU Global Recognition).
• Whole Farm Revenue Protection testimonials
  Review the latest premium updates for 2016 and look back on how much WFRP has grown over the past three years. 

Also featured in this edition of Country Times:

• Agent Trip 2017
• Kurt Johnson's retirement
• Spotlight on our employees
• Technology to help you gain business
• 2017 spring tradeshows
• QBE NAU is active in community volunteering
• Western branch drought cycle update
• Record spring wildfires
• Social Media and Crop Insurance - join the conversation
• Product improvements

Fall 2017

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• President Update
  Jim Korin reviews the impacts to America's farmers in the aftermath of hurricanes, drought, and wildfires in 2017. He also reaffirms our commitment to serving our agents and farmers in the wake of these diasasters. 
  
• American Association of Crop Insurers (AACI) update
  Chairman of the AACI Board of Directors and NAU Country's own Larry Heitman gives us an update on AACI and National Crop Insurance Service's (NCIS) work to keep the facts straight as we head towards the 2018 Farm Bill.
• Employee recognitions
  Get the inside scoop on our employee recognition of Curt Christofferson and his recent award from the Professional Insurance Agents of North Dakota (PIA of ND). We also thank Ron Hilde for his years of service in Claims.

Also featured in this edition of Country Times:

• Western Branch update
• Farm photo star!
• Information Technology updates
• NAU Country cares
• EASYmobility to EASYmoney contest winners
• The makings of a winning sales team
• Hurricane updates: Harvey and Irma
• Spotlight on our employees
• On the road with NAU Country!

Spring 2016

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• President Update
  Jim Korin looks back at the last few crop years touching on the industry highs and lows. Learn how QBE NAU is planning on re-igniting our people and developing a plan for future growth in 2016.
• FAA Drone Approval
  After two years of research and development, five years of conceptual piloting of our UAV’s and an extensive FAA approval process we have reached our goal. QBE NAU Crop Insurance received notification on March 18 that we had officially been given our exemption to fly drones for mapping and damage assessment purposes.
• Employee Recognition
  Get the inside scoop on our Employee Recognitions ranging from Greg Deal’s Lifetime Achievement Award to Stacey Stidham’s QBE NAU Global Recognition.
• QBE NAU Retirements
  Three of our highly recognized and established Marketing Reps are hanging up their crop insurance hats and retiring this year. Read more on how they will be spending their time in retirement.

 Features also within the 2016 spring edition:

• Agent Trip 2016
• Flexible Training Options
• Supporting Our Troops
• Commodity Classic Update
• A Life Worth Another Day
• Congratulations Ted Cremers
• Spotlight On Our Employees
• Company Store

Fall 2016

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• President Update
  Jim Korin gives insight on the fall harvest across the country, possible market trends, commissions, and our IT Product Releases.
• Effects of Flooding in the South and Southeast
  2016 has brought relentless rain and catastrophic damage to the South and Southeast due to stalled low-pressure systems that resembled inland tropical depressions. These storms have dumped several feet of rain in some instances.
• New Insured Tools will Give You the Competitive Advantage!
  Earlier this year a few agents asked us, "Is there any free technology that QBE NAU could provide to our insured' that would help set us (the agents) apart from competing agents?" We looked through our technology toolbox and found one that seemed the perfect fit, QBE NAU's EASYview Weather.
• The Effects of California Wildfires on QBE NAU Crop Insurance
  It's that time of year again...California (CA) wildfire season. For those that live in California, it is an annual concern, similar to the springtime tornado season in the Midwest.

 Features also within the 2016 fall edition:

• An Opportunity to Market for Success
• Drone Usage and Exploration
• Executive Meetings at the Western Branch
• Fargo Office Volunteers in Area
• Spotlight On Our Employees
• Precision Farming Streamlines the Reporting Process
• IT Summit
• GoToAssist Helps Connect You
• ND Senator Heidi Heitkamp Attends Agent Training
• Eau Claire office Open House
• Thank You from Agent

Spring 2015

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• Presidential Update   
  Jim takes a look back at the year behind us, comments on new prices conditions, Farm Bill changes, and signs off with encouraging words for 2015!
• Agent Trip 2015
  Relive highlights from Aruba 2015 and learn more details on our upcoming 2016 Cancun trip.
• Central Branch Update
  We're sad to say Kim Gibson has announced his retirement. Ken Janicek has been transitioning into the role and is ready for the challenge.
• Thank You From QBE NAU
  We'd like to take a moment to thank you for choosing us! Thank you for trusting our services, backing our decisions, and always providing valuable feedback. We're glad to be in this industry together!

Features also within the 2015 spring edition:

• Women's Leadership Panel
• QBE Executives Visit Ramsey
• Technology Update
• Stay Connected
• Commodity Classic
• Claims Update
• QBE NAU Agent U.S. Tour
• Spotlight On Our Employees
• QBE NAU Open Positions

Fall 2015

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• President Update
  Jim Korin recaps the 2015 crop year touching on crop conditions across the U.S. and how our claims and compliance staff are working hard to get payments out as quickly and efficiently as possible.
• Greg Deal Signing Off
  After 40 years in the crop insurance industry, Greg Deal has made the decision to take some time for himself, his family, and to focus on other interests. As hard as this is to imagine for him, he's groomed and set QBE NAU in good hands with his appointed leadership.
• Department Updates
  Get the inside scoop on our Claims, IT, and Compliance Departments.
• We're Helping California Farmers Through The Drought
  It's been four years running and QBE NAU's playing a major role.

 Features also within the 2015 fall edition:

• Thank You, Greg
• Supply Order System Updates
• 2015 QBE NAU Agent Tour Results
• 61 Years Of Crop Experience
• Congrats Heidi And Jennifer
• Trade Show Updates
• East Coast Update
• Spotlight On Our Employees
• 2016 Calendar Photos Wanted