Farm Bureau Agent Duties

The American Farm Bureau is the United States agency that is responsible for ensuring the well-being and productivity of farmers and agriculture specialists throughout the country. Its goal is to provide unified representation for farmers and ranchers in government and big business dealings. The bureau also provides farmers' insurance through Farm Bureau Financial Services, and agents are responsible for running individual business arms with the support of the parent agency.

Complete Training

• For agents who will be starting up a new Farm Bureau insurance agency, the bureau provides an extensive training course. During the 60-day period, agents are required to learn about the company's policies, procedures and practices, and to gain the knowledge that will help them in business operations. In the following years, agents may be required to attend continuing education training seminars to update their education about the company and the state of the insurance industry.

Licensing Exams

• In order to gain and maintain a farm bureau insurance agent license, you must take the licensing exam. Exam requirements and costs vary by state. During the course of your career as an agent, you may be required to take classes or additional exams to maintain your license and to demonstrate to the state that you have knowledge of current insurance regulations.

Run an Independent Business

• Farm Bureau agents are independent insurance business owners. They are responsible for finding an appropriate office space, setting up operations, managing supplies and handling financial details for the company. Agents are responsible for understanding current building codes, adhering to the Farm Bureau policies and communicating with vendors, staff and other agents.

Hire and Train Sales Staff

• If you are the agent-owner of a Farm Bureau agency, you may be required to hire and train sales staff to build your business. Sales associates perform many of the same insurance sales tasks as agents, but are not responsible for running the business. Agents are responsible for communicating business practices to sales staff, monitoring progress and ensuring that policies and procedures are followed in everyday activities.

Assess Farm Operations

• Before a Farm Bureau agent can recommend insurance plans to a farmer, she must visit the farm to assess value and risk. Often, that will include touring the operations, looking at financial statements and growth projections, and examining potential trouble areas. Because the Farm Bureau also provides life insurance, health insurance and crop insurance, the agent may be required to assess other areas of customers' lives.

Sell Insurance

• Along with her sales staff, the Farm Bureau agent's main goal is to sell insurance policies to farmers and rural citizens. This goal aligns with the parent Farm Bureau organization: to ensure the productivity of farmers in rural areas of the United States. As such, they are responsible for meeting with farmers to discuss different coverage packages.