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PRESS RELEASE: For Release September 2017
Brad Bolinger Graduates from Kentucky Agricultural Leadership Program
Brad Bolinger of Christian County, Kentucky graduated from the Kentucky Agriculture Leadership Program (KALP) on September 7, 2017 at formal ceremonies held at Spindletop Hall in Lexington, Kentucky.
Bolinger is among twenty-two members of KALP Class XI. KALP, housed in the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, is an intensive two-year program for young agricultural producers and agribusiness individuals from Kentucky and Tennessee.
Dating back to the mid-1980s, the program was originally named the Philip Morris Agricultural Development Leadership Program, though it was never commodity specific. Philip Morris fully funded the first seven classes. Now financial supporters, including the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund, Kentucky agribusinesses, farm organizations, program alumni and participant tuition, provide funding.
The program is not only about agriculture, but gives participants the tools to polish essential leadership skills, identify common rural and urban concerns, understand current public policy issues and establish a basis for lifelong learning and development.
Class XI had ten domestic seminars devoted to important agricultural issues. Sessions also focused on improving participants’ communication, leadership and management skills. Class members visited a variety of Kentucky agribusinesses, Frankfort, Washington D.C., California, Austria,
Slovakia, Poland and the Czech Republic to explore agriculture in different settings.
Brad Bolinger, Partner at Higgins Insurance, works as the President of Agribusiness, which provides insurance solutions to farmers, co-ops, food processors, milling facilities, as well as countless other industries involved in the agribusiness sector. He graduated with a B.S.and MBA from Western Kentucky University in 2006 & 2007 respectively. He is a member of the Christian Co. Agribusiness Association, Gideons International, and serves on the board of directors for the United Way of the Pennyrile. Brad Bolinger and his wife Fowlen Bolinger have 2 children, Isabel Blane and Soyar Pace , and are expecting their 3rd in January of 2018.
For questions or comments, contact:
Brad Bolinger
240 Remington Road
Hopkinsville, KY 42240
270-839-8646
bbolinger@higginsinsurance.com
Photo by Steve Patton, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food & Environment
Left to right: Dr. Will Snell, KALP Co-Director; Brad Bolinger,
KALP Class XI Graduate; Dr. Gary Palmer, University of Kentucky
Associate Dean for Extension; Dr. Steve Isaacs, KALP Co-Director.
On March 21, Higgins Insurance attended the 2017 Salute to Agriculture Breakfast, where Brad Bolinger presented the 2017 Farmer of the Year award to Todd Harton and introduced speaker, Warren Beeler. Other awards that were presented included: Ag Business of the Year and Friend of Agriculture. This breakfast was held on National Agriculture Day and recognizes the large impact that Agriculture has on our community. To learn more about the 2017 Salute to Agriculture Breakfast you can go to the Christian County Chamber of Commerce Facebook page or follow this link: http://www.christiancountychamber.com/news/details/2017-salute-to-agriculture-breakfast
With so many varied businesses and areas to cover, insuring an Agribusiness can present unique challenges.
Agribusinesses are what keep our great nation running and they need to be protected properly. The hazards and risks of running a commercial agricultural enterprise are unique. This diverse industry in Kentucky and Tennessee requires a special type of care that the professionals at Higgins Insurance are qualified to supply.
Agribusinesses are generally large in size & personnel. Acknowledging that a multitude of things can go wrong is important. It is helpful to know some of the risks in order to ensure proper coverage of your business. Some of the most common agribusiness insurance claims include:
- Workers Compensation/Medical
- Property Damage
- Hail Damage
- Collision
- Lightning Damage
There are some basic areas that can be insured that will cover a majority of the risks you may encounter. Just a few of the areas of coverage that should be included in each business’ policy are:
- Commercial General Liability Insurance –
This will help protect a business from the cost of defending themselves. If a third party claims your business caused them bodily harm and/or damaged their property this insurance can cover any claims they make and any legal bills that may be incurred. - Commercial Property Insurance –
Every piece of property owned by the business will need coverage. This does not cover land alone, but can be customized to include any buildings, fields, farm equipment, processing equipment, and other properties of a business. - Business Auto Insurance –
A Business Auto Policy that covers your Agricultural operations is also customizable for each customer. Heavy duty trucks, business vehicles, and farm vehicles can be covered. Many times this can even be extended to cover private passenger vehicles owned by the farm or business. - Umbrella Insurance for Agribusiness –
Umbrella insurance protects against losses of a catastrophic nature. It is an extra layer of coverage for situations such as natural disaster, among other things.
There are many other types of coverage that can be customized to each specific business and the experts at Higgins Insurance have the knowledge and experience to make sure your business is fully prepared. It is important to keep in mind that insurance should be a proactive part of how you manage and operate your Agribusiness. Any time changes are made to your property like buildings, structures, or agribusiness operations, you should re-evaluate and update your policies.
There is no margin for error when insuring your income-producing assets and operations. Your risk management program is crucial to your long-term success and profitability. With so much at stake, you need a partner with specialized agribusiness insurance knowledge.
Contact us today and we will get you set up with one of our highly trained professionals. Call us at our Clarksville or Hopkinsville office and we can start customizing a policy for you. Remember, farming isn’t just what you do, it’s a way of life!
What is the advantage of choosing a local agent over online insurance services?
The advantages to having access to a local insurance agent are wonderful; however, buying insurance online can have its own unique conveniences as well. We want to share with you some of the advantages of both and let you know why you might want to choose Higgins Insurance for your insurance needs.
Online Insurance:
Who doesn’t like shopping from the convenience of your own home? When you shop online for insurance, you are able to access a wide variety of insurance providers. You are able to browse while you eat dinner or do your laundry.
Shopping online can often help you identify the best rates for the specific types of insurance you are looking for. If you need more than one form of insurance, creating a bundle to cover you and your family may be a hassle. You may end up dealing with a customer service person over the phone. They will generally have less experience than a local agent and have no vested interest in you or knowledge of your community.
Online insurance shopping is best for helping you get an idea of the products and services that are available to you. It is also a great way to quickly get quotes in your area and to help you find the best pricing options.
Insurance Agent:
Using an insurance agent local to your community has many advantages. Our agents at Higgins Insurance are able to tailor an insurance plan specifically to your family or your business. We are able to create a custom bundle that will incorporate all of your insurance needs.
Having a local agent can also be an advantage when you are deciding what specialty insurance and add-ons you might need. For example, we are able to advise on whether your home lies in a flood prone area and when you might need extra protection. We can also advise you about specific laws you will need know in order to keep yourself fully covered. Additionally, we are able to tell you what you don’t need. Using a local agent can save you from buying protection that is unnecessary for your needs.
Having a local agent is also important when you have to file a claim. Being able to meet face to face and talk about your claim, the options you may have, and how to proceed is invaluable. At Higgins, we will go above and beyond to provide you the services you need and help get you on track.
When it comes to big investments like your car, your home, and even your family’s well-being you want an expert on your side, someone to help you make sense of what you’re actually buying and who can be there with you through any claims. We want to provide you and your family with the service you deserve. If you are in the Hopkinsville or Clarksville areas, we would love to meet and discuss your needs. Contact us today for an appointment, give us a call at (888) 457-2307 or visit our Hopkinsville, Ky or Clarksville, TN offices.
Higgins Insurance attended the local Eye Opener Breakfast in Salute to Agriculture on March 18th.
