Navajo Nation Council reassures farmers, ranchers that crop insurance benefits are secure
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The 25th Navajo Nation Council and the Resources and Development Committee are notifying Navajo farmers and ranchers enrolled in the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund Program about false communications from CKP Insurance President Chuck Hemphill. CKP Insurance and Hemphill were not selected for renewal in 2025 to administer AIF benefits for Navajo farmers and ranchers by the Navajo Division of Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture. “Oversight of the procurement process and issuance of crop insurance payments is a responsibility of the Executive Branch,” RDC Chair Brenda Jesus said. “The RDC has emphasized to the Division of Natural Resources and Department of Agriculture the importance of adhering to procurement procedures, NABOA regulations, and applicable laws. These must be followed to ensure transparency.” A new insurance provider has been secured to assist the Nation with the Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage Insurance Program, which helps protect producers from forage loss due to drought or insufficient rainfall. CKP’s actions following its non-selection have been aggressive and harmful, violating the Nation’s procurement process and compromising transparency. The company failed to meet expectations by providing poor customer service and not securing competitive prices. To reverse its non-selection, CKP has spread misinformation, including restricting access to the Navajo Nation’s website (navajoaif.com) from the Navajo Department of Agriculture. CKP has also used the site’s database to circulate false information directly to thousands of farmers and ranchers, complicating the situation. CKP’s refusal to grant the NDOA access to critical AIF information is putting agricultural programs at risk, delaying incentive payments for programs like the Livestock Management and Farm and Garden Incentives. Navajo Nation Speaker Crystalyne Curley stated that CKP’s tactics aim to undermine the Nation’s ability to manage its programs effectively. “The 25th Navajo Nation Council is committed to ensuring these funds remain secure and are used for their intended purpose,” she said. The Department of Agriculture will work with the Navajo Department of Justice to secure access to the AIF website. Meanwhile, all other AIF projects within DNR departments will proceed as scheduled. he Department of Agriculture is also focused on developing AIF incentive applications for 2025, ensuring benefits continue to reach farmers and ranchers. For questions, contact the Department of Agriculture at (928) 871-6605.
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The 25th Navajo Nation Council and the Resources and Development Committee are notifying Navajo farmers and ranchers enrolled in the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund Program about false communications from CKP Insurance President Chuck Hemphill.
CKP Insurance and Hemphill were not selected for renewal in 2025 to administer AIF benefits for Navajo farmers and ranchers by the Navajo Division of Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture.
“Oversight of the procurement process and issuance of crop insurance payments is a responsibility of the Executive Branch,” RDC Chair Brenda Jesus said. “The RDC has emphasized to the Division of Natural Resources and Department of Agriculture the importance of adhering to procurement procedures, NABOA regulations, and applicable laws. These must be followed to ensure transparency.”
A new insurance provider has been secured to assist the Nation with the Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage Insurance Program, which helps protect producers from forage loss due to drought or insufficient rainfall.
CKP’s actions following its non-selection have been aggressive and harmful, violating the Nation’s procurement process and compromising transparency. The company failed to meet expectations by providing poor customer service and not securing competitive prices.
To reverse its non-selection, CKP has spread misinformation, including restricting access to the Navajo Nation’s website (navajoaif.com) from the Navajo Department of Agriculture. CKP has also used the site’s database to circulate false information directly to thousands of farmers and ranchers, complicating the situation.
CKP’s refusal to grant the NDOA access to critical AIF information is putting agricultural programs at risk, delaying incentive payments for programs like the Livestock Management and Farm and Garden Incentives.
Navajo Nation Speaker Crystalyne Curley stated that CKP’s tactics aim to undermine the Nation’s ability to manage its programs effectively.
“The 25th Navajo Nation Council is committed to ensuring these funds remain secure and are used for their intended purpose,” she said.
The Department of Agriculture will work with the Navajo Department of Justice to secure access to the AIF website. Meanwhile, all other AIF projects within DNR departments will proceed as scheduled.
he Department of Agriculture is also focused on developing AIF incentive applications for 2025, ensuring benefits continue to reach farmers and ranchers.
For questions, contact the Department of Agriculture at (928) 871-6605.
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