SUMNER, Iowa — Steve Harms, a celebrated leader in the agricultural insurance industry and a steadfast champion for American farmers, passed away unexpectedly on July 9, 2025, at the age of 71. His death reverberates through the Rain and Hail company, the Iowa ag insurance community, and beyond, as colleagues and growers mourn a man defined by integrity, service, and visionary leadership.
From Farm Fields to Corporate Leadership in Crop Insurance
Born and raised in small-town Sumner, Iowa, Steve began his career in 1973 as a seasonal crop adjuster—a role his father encouraged him to take. Three years later, in 1976, he joined Rain and Hail, L.L.C., launching a 36-year journey that took him from Field Supervisor to President and Chairman of the Board by 2005 . Under his stewardship, Rain and Hail expanded international crop insurance operations into Canada, Mexico, and Brazil, while maintaining its foundational emphasis on trust, service, and farmer-first values.
An Advocate for Federal Crop Insurance and Rural Communities
Steve Harms was more than a corporate executive—he was an advocate. He served as Chairman of the American Association of Crop Insurers (2006–2008) and the National Crop Insurance Services (2009–2011), where he testified before Congress during critical farm bill negotiations. His testimony was instrumental in reinforcing the federal crop insurance safety net that supports American agriculture to this day.
A Leader Honored by Peers, Farmers, and Industry
In 2018, Steve was bestowed with the Crop Insurance Industry Lifetime Achievement Award and was inducted into the Iowa Insurance Hall of Fame—fitting tributes to a career built on influence, mentorship, and steadfast leadership. But those closest to him say his most meaningful awards were the respect of his team, the loyalty of agents and farmers, and the open-door culture he nurtured.
Life Beyond Business: Family, Community Service, and Humility
Behind the boardroom, Steve was a devoted husband, father of five, and grandfather. He served on advisory boards at Bankers Trust Company and Upper Iowa University, and quietly supported educational and philanthropic initiatives in rural Iowa. Known for swapping corporate talk for fishing stories and casual laughter, he balanced global business strategy with small-town warmth.
A Lasting Legacy in Crop Insurance and Across Iowa
Rain and Hail expressed heartfelt sorrow, stating, “He will be missed by many,” a sentiment echoed by colleagues, agents, and farming communities nationwide. Steve Harms’s leadership reshaped the agricultural insurance landscape and reinforced rural America’s resilience in the face of climate and market uncertainty.
Remembering Steve: Guidance, Generosity, and Growth
Steve Harms’s legacy lives on in the strengthened crop insurance protections that buffer farmers, the leaders he mentored into the industry, and the humble integrity with which he lived and worked. His unexpected passing leaves a vacuum—but also a blueprint for principled leadership.
