Faith, Farming, and Protection: How Mutual Aid Supports Those Who Feed America

Farming & Faith: A Tradition of Mutual Aid

From the earliest days of agriculture, farming has been a shared effort. Whether it’s neighbors lending equipment, ranchers assisting each other during calving season, or entire communities rebuilding after a storm, farmers have always understood that success isn’t just about individual work—it’s about collective strength.

This deeply ingrained sense of mutual aid has shaped the farming way of life for generations. It’s also the foundation on which Mutual Aid Agency was built. In 1885, our organization began as a group of farmers and church members who came together to support one another after losses, rebuilding barns and homes when disaster struck. That commitment to helping each other in times of need remains at the core of what we do today. While the landscape of agriculture has evolved, the need for protection and support has not. Just as farmers rely on each other, they also need a trusted partner to help safeguard their work against the unpredictable.

The Importance of Protection in Farming

Farming is filled with unknowns. Weather shifts in an instant. Equipment breaks down at the worst possible time. Markets fluctuate, and each new season brings both hope and risk. For farmers, faith is essential—but so is preparation.

One of the most effective ways to safeguard a farming operation is by ensuring that every aspect—from homes and barns to equipment and livestock—is properly protected. Farm insurance isn’t just about responding to disasters; it’s about creating a safety net that allows farmers to keep moving forward. A well-structured policy provides peace of mind, ensuring that a single unexpected event doesn’t threaten an entire year’s hard work.

Mutual Aid Agency’s farm insurance policies are designed to protect both personal and farm assets in one comprehensive package. Coverage options include:

Principal Farm Residence & Private Structures – Protects your home and any non-farming structures like sheds or detached garages.
Personal Property – Covers household belongings such as clothing, furniture, and electronics.
Additional Living Costs/Loss of Rents – Provides for temporary housing and living expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered loss.
Scheduled Barns, Buildings & Structures – Protects farm structures such as barns, silos, and grain bins when scheduled on your policy.
Scheduled Farm Personal Property – Covers tractors, trailers, combines, irrigation units, tools, implements, and hay when scheduled.
Scheduled Livestock & Poultry – Provides protection for livestock and poultry if they are injured or lost due to covered perils like drowning, freezing, or smothering.
Liability Coverage – Helps protect against medical expenses for guests accidentally injured on the property, as well as personal injury or property damage liability.

Farmers prepare for the seasons ahead by checking equipment, mending fences, and caring for their herds—insurance should be part of that process, too. Ensuring the right coverage for buildings, equipment, and livestock means having the security to focus on what truly matters: the work of farming itself.

A Personal Connection to Agriculture

For us, supporting farmers isn’t just business—it’s personal. Kristy Sare, MAA’s Operations Coordinator and leader of our farm insurance programs, understands firsthand the challenges and joys of farm life because she’s lived it.

Kristy was raised on a farm in Dickinson County, Kansas, where her family raised cattle and grew wheat, corn, and sorghum. Farming has always been in her blood, and today, she and her husband continue that tradition, managing farmland, raising summer cattle, and working in their family garden.

Her love for agriculture started young. As an active member of 4-H and FFA, she learned the values of hard work, stewardship, and service to others—values that continue to shape her approach to farm insurance. Now, as a mother, she watches her young son—who is about to turn one—immerse himself in the same farming traditions she grew up with. To her, agriculture is more than a profession; it’s a legacy.

That personal connection drives Kristy’s passion for helping farmers protect their livelihoods. She understands that a farm policy isn’t just about covering assets—it’s about securing a way of life. Whether she’s working with family farms, ranchers, or agribusiness owners, her goal is always the same: to make sure the people who dedicate their lives to feeding others have the protection they need to thrive.

Celebrating the Farmers Who Feed America

As we recognize National Agriculture Week, it’s important to take a moment to appreciate the hard work, faith, and dedication that farmers bring to their communities. Farming is more than a career—it’s a commitment. It means early mornings, long hours, and an unwavering perseverance through challenges that most people will never experience firsthand.

At MAA, we see that dedication, and we are honored to be a part of the support system that keeps farmers moving forward. We’re not just here for policies and paperwork. We’re here for the people. The families who plant seeds with the hope of a good harvest. The ranchers who care for their livestock through all seasons. The agribusiness owners who work tirelessly to keep food production running.

If you’re a farmer looking to review your coverage or ensure that your operation is protected, we’d love to talk. Give us a call at 800-255-1243 to learn how MAA can help safeguard your farm for generations to come.

This National Agriculture Week let’s celebrate the farmers who make everything possible. Let’s honor the traditions of faith, resilience, and community that define agriculture. And let’s continue to build a world where no farmer, no family, and no community has to face challenges alone.

At Mutual Aid Agency, we’re proud to be part of that mission.