* Dealing with grief or other feelings of loss? Check out 3 ways to cope with ambiguous losses from the pandemic offered by the University of Maryland.*
* Click here for information on Navigating COVID-19 Relief for Farmers.*
* For up-to-date information on the Coronavirus outbreak in Delaware,
visit the state of Delaware’s Website.*
From the American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: Impact of COVID-19 on agriculture (read more)
“Things are far from business as usual in cities and towns across America this week. Millions of us are being called to serve our neighbors by staying home. There is a lot beyond our control and still unknown as we face this crisis, but we can focus on and be faithful with the tasks at hand. For farmers and ranchers our calling hasn’t changed, though its importance hits closer to home in times like these: we are committed to rising every day to grow and harvest the food we all depend on.”
CFAP 2 details for Delaware Farmers and Ranchers from DEFB Executive Director Joseph Poppiti
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing additional direct assistance to farmers and ranchers impacted by COVID-19. The additional Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, known as CFAP-2 began September 21, 2020 and applications will continue to be accepted through December 11, 2020. The USDA is using funds made available for the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act and CARES ACT to support row crops, livestock, specialty crops, dairy, aquaculture and many additional commodities up to 14 billion dollars.
Farmworker housing
In many parts of the country, peak season for many labor-intensive commodities is quickly approaching. The Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce: Ensuring Community and National Resilience in COVID-19 designates farm work as essential critical infrastructure. Although not required by law for domestic farm and fishery workers, often workers are provided housing by their employers. Moreover, the H-2A visa program requires that an employer provide housing to an H-2A worker and corresponding domestic non-H-2A workers who cannot reasonably return to their residence at the end of the workday. Typically, farmworker housing is communal, which could provide an increased risk for the spread of COVID-19. The federal government is engaging key stakeholders and gathering potential resources that may provide alternative options for farmers and migrant workers to protect worker safety and maintain critical working infrastructure. Employers should ensure that any options considered meet required regulatory housing standards.
For more information, review Potential Resources for Seasonal Agriculture Laborers June 2020.
To view the CDC’s guidance regarding agriculture workers and employees, click here.
H-2A information: https://www.farmers.gov/manage/h2a
The USDA is committed to providing services to America’s farmers and ranchers while taking safety measures in response to the COVID-19, or new coronavirus, outbreak. Resources related to COVID-19 and the H-2A Visa Program can be found on the USDA Website. Stakeholder comments can be sent via email to AgLabor@usda.gov. ARTICLE: Expanded interview waivers for H-2A program is welcome news
Service Centers
Producers can find their Service Center’s phone number at farmers.gov/service-center-locator and more information about Coronavirus and USDA Service Centers at https://www.farmers.gov/coronavirus.
Stay healthy on the farm during the COVID-19 crisis with the help of these links from Cornell University and the Farm Employers Labor Service
Coronavirus Prevention on Farms: https://agworkforce.cals.cornell.edu/2020/03/12/novel-coronavirus-prevention-control-for-farms/
COVID-19 and Your Dairy Webinar:
https://agworkforce.cals.cornell.edu/2020/03/23/covid-19-and-your-dairy-webinar/
Additional information from Farm Employers Labor Service
Loan updates: Paycheck protection loans available to farmers regardless of revenue
