Bridge Specialty Practice Groups
With more than 50 locations and 2,000+ teammates throughout the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, and Asia, Bridge Specialty Group holds market recognition that enables us to connect our retail partners with tailored insurance solutions through our specific practice groups including Property, Casualty, Environmental, Executive Risk, Personal Lines, Public Entity, Farm & Ranch, Transportation and Workers’ Compensation.
Leveraging our exclusive access to multiple markets, extensive market knowledge, and awareness of wholesale industry trends, Bridge Specialty Group offers valuable insights to help guide and keep retailers aware of the wholesale landscape.
In the following months, we’ll spotlight each of the Bridge Specialty Group practice groups and their significance in the marketplace. This month we’re featuring our Farm & Ranch Practice Group, which is led by Al Nelson, Vice President of Sales Execution.
Let’s meet the Bridge Specialty Farm & Ranch Practice Group
Farm & Ranch insurance serves the unique needs of agricultural businesses, and the Bridge Specialty Farm & Ranch practice group has built a reputation for covering various agricultural risks, including horse hobby farms, field crops, large acreage farms and livestock. And to highlight their expanding strengths and capabilities, Bridge Specialty Group’s recent acquisitions of LocalEdge and Tim Parkman Insurance (TPI) has afforded the practice group additional access to markets offering agribusiness solutions, including poultry operations. Al Nelson, Vice President of Sales Execution and Bridge Specialty Farm & Ranch practice group leader, recently sat down with us to describe this unique practice group, its current successes, market trends, market challenges and the group’s exciting future.
Successes built on a strong foundation
According to Al, the practice group consists of 20 dedicated teammates, 13 of whom are underwriters with deep experience underwriting new and renewal Farm & Ranch business.
Beneath the group’s deep understanding of the business, including their personal experiences, lies their ability to maintain strong relationships and deliver consistent results.
“Many of the team members actually have farms themselves, which adds a unique layer of expertise and authenticity to their work,” Al said. “These teammates not only bring their professional skills to the table but also their personal experiences with farming, whether it’s managing cattle, growing crops or dealing with the day-to-day challenges of farm life.” This first-hand knowledge allows them to better understand the needs and concerns of their clients, making them invaluable assets to the practice group. “The market comes to us because we know the business,” Al added.
Al went on to share that the Farm & Ranch practice group is recognized for its proficiency in underwriting these risks and acts as a Managing General Agent (MGA) for a large national insurance carrier. According to Al, “They appreciate the strong performance and exceptional underwriting diligence that the group has demonstrated by meeting expectations and growing in alignment with market demands.”
He described that the success of the practice group is built on the solid foundation of experienced teammates who understand the business inside and out. In 2024, the group maintained a retention rate of nearly 90% and has proven its ability to continue strong relationships and deliver consistent results.
Women leaders driving Farm & Ranch insights
Two members of this experienced practice group include Brandi Goodyear, Ag Division Coordinator with The Colonial Group and Diana Trachier, Farm & Ranch team leader, with South & Western. The two provided thought-provoking insights on the Farm & Ranch insurance industry and their experience with it.
Located in Greensboro, NC, Brandi’s been in the insurance industry for nearly a decade, with experience across commercial lines and personal lines. Once she transitioned to Farm & Ranch insurance, her focus became farm and agriculture, with a particular focus on row crops, hobby farms, cattle and equine.
“The challenges are definitely worth the rewards,” she said. There’s a deep sense of satisfaction that comes with solving complex problems, placing tough risks and finding solutions that meet both client and carrier needs. Every challenge is an opportunity to deliver value, and I take pride in being someone others can count on when things aren’t straightforward,” she said.
Diana’s experience in the insurance industry started with a small MGA in East Texas where she developed her skills and passion for working with agents. She eventually joined the Bridge Specialty Group family at South & Western (S&W), where she’s been for 36 years and has played a significant role in developing and contributing to the success of the Farm & Ranch practice group.
When we asked Diana about her sweet spot, she quickly replied, “Farming ranches.” She continued, “We do everything from cotton farmers out West to cattle ranchers across the state of Texas. We see a lot of goats and sheep as well, and hay field crops. We have a lot of gentleman farmers in the state. We love farm! We take a thorough approach to ensure our clients fully understand their policies. We carefully review every detail so that anything happening on the property is either properly insured, or our clients are clearly informed if certain buildings or risks aren’t covered. Our goal is to provide complete transparency and peace of mind.”
Collaborative problem solving
Both Brandi and Diana agreed the key benefit of the practice group lies in the collaboration between members. Both women shared that the structure of the practice group facilitates the sharing of ideas and referrals to other groups within Bridge Specialty Group. This ensures that accounts are handled by the most knowledgeable professionals in their respective regions, enhancing overall efficiency in meeting customer needs. Diana remarked, “I think the practice group is something absolutely amazing as it gives us the opportunity to reach out and speak with other groups within Bridge. It really helps us to know each other and learn what everybody’s capabilities are. And Al has done a great job of leading us.”
Brandi added, “Our goal is to bridge the gap between carrier capabilities and client needs, ensuring that every risk is placed accurately, competitively, and with long-term sustainability in mind. We do pride ourselves on being a trusted resource for agents and insureds alike, along with being trusted resources for each other.”
Agritainment: Innovation in Farm & Ranch insurance
In the ever-evolving landscape of Farm & Ranch insurance, staying ahead of the curve requires a blend of tradition and innovation, Al notes.
“As the number of people entering the farming business decreases, farmers are finding innovative ways to generate additional income. A lot of farmers in our space have figured out ways to have additional income, and they call it agritainment,” Al said. These farm-based activities often blend agriculture and entertainment and can provide visitors with educational or entertaining experiences like hayrides, corn mazes, petting zoos and festivals. According to Al, these activities present distinct risks that require tailored insurance solutions as the hazards often exceed the protections offered by conventional insurance. “The Bridge Specialty Farm & Ranch practice group adapts to cover these unique risks, and the practice group has carriers willing to cover them, which showcases our adaptability and forward-thinking approach.”
Trends and risks in the Farm & Ranch space
Several trends can be seen across this niche industry’s landscape. Mechanizing operations in Farm & Ranch significantly affects insurance. Al noted that modern farm machinery replacement and repair can increase premiums, as can liability risks related to equipment use or accidents. The adoption of modern machinery can also encourage the use of agricultural insurance to protect high value investments in technology and machinery.
Brandi and Diana discussed the environmental trends and risks in their respective regions, such as hurricanes on the East Coast and wildfires in Texas and how these events impact insurance practices.
Brandi noted, “In the Southeastern U.S., we’re seeing notable shifts in the agribusiness insurance space. Carrier appetites are retracting across several segments — particularly with confinement operations, equine risks with public exposure, and properties with agritainment elements. There’s also growing caution around weather-prone areas, with some markets adjusting deductibles or limiting coastal exposure. At the same time, we’re seeing an uptick in non-traditional and hobby farms, which bring a unique blend of personal and commercial needs. As carriers adjust to emerging risks and underwriting becomes more data-driven, it’s more important than ever to submit complete, well-documented applications to stay ahead in a changing market.”
Market challenges
Along with the successes of the practice group comes challenges they face in the market. Brandi and Diana highlighted the challenges in the current market, including changes in underwriting guidelines, carrier appetites and market conditions. They both emphasized the importance of staying flexible and communicative to navigate these challenges. According to Brandi, “What may be acceptable one month could be ineligible the next, and it requires a high level of vigilance to stay aligned with each carrier’s expectations. Balancing those moving parts while still delivering timely, accurate solutions to clients is demanding — but it’s also what keeps the work engaging and meaningful. Each challenge presents an opportunity to grow, solve problems, and bring real value to the table.”
Talent acquisition barriers
Another significant challenge in the industry is finding the next generation of brokers to fill roles across niche markets. Many young professionals perceive insurance as old-fashioned or unexciting, preferring tech or startup roles, which limits new entrants into the field. “Finding candidates with both insurance and agricultural experience is rare,” Diana added.
It’s clear from the team that farm & ranch insurance is a specialized solution for an essential industry. Farms require creative and customized coverage that protects everything from crops to livestock to modern machinery. And being involved in insuring these elements means having a hand at protecting the pillar of the food supply chain.
What’s exciting about a career in wholesale farm & ranch insurance is the opportunity to work with agents who are trusted, experienced advisors to the farmers who depend on accurate insurance solutions for diverse operations. And as farms continue to modernize, wholesalers are uniquely positioned to provide access to specialized carriers and products that standard carriers simply won’t provide.
Brandi best described her role when she said, “At the end of the day, I’m proud of the work we do — not just for the policies we place, but for the stability and protection we help provide to families, businesses and the agricultural community.”
A bright future for the Bridge Specialty Farm & Ranch Practice Group
Looking to the future, Al shared that as they continue to grow, the focus remains on expanding geographic reach and attracting larger accounts.
The future of the Farm & Ranch practice group is bright, with plans to integrate new teammates and markets through acquisitions. By leveraging the expertise and knowledge of existing and new members, the group aims to enhance its capabilities and provide high level service to clients.
Overall, the Bridge Specialty Farm & Ranch practice group is positioned for growth, focusing on expanding its market presence, enhancing service delivery and adapting to industry changes. They recognize the importance of building a solid foundation with their current team while also seeking to incorporate new talent and expertise as opportunities arise.
For more information about the Bridge Specialty Farm & Ranch Practice Group, contact Al Nelson at [email protected] or (480) 980-2630.
This material has been prepared for general informational purposes only, is intended to apply generally rather than to any specific company and presumes appropriate discretion will be exercised regarding any particular situation.
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