COVID-19

USDA alerts growers to new disaster, pandemic relief

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency is alerting growers to two new federal assistance programs for revenue losses from COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters in 2020 and 2021. Phase 2 of the Emergency... more »

Workers benefit from flu vaccines, COVID-19 boosters

This year has been the worst year for flu in the United States in over a decade, according to recently released federal data. Farmworkers, and especially those who live in shared housing with other workers,... more »

January report shows shoppers buy less while produce prices rise

Consumers are more concerned about inflation than COVID-19 these days, according to the monthly primary shopper survey series by IRI in partnership with Anne-Marie Roerink, president of 210 Analytics. “In January, 38% of the population... more »

NCAE meets with Mexican Embassy on COVID-19 vaccinations

The National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) recently met with officials at the Mexican Embassy in Washington, D.C., to discuss vaccination issues impacting agricultural workers traveling to the United States. The U.S. Department of Homeland... more »

NCAE, Labormex to locate CDC/WHO-approved vaccines in Mexico

The National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) has partnered with longtime member Labormex to locate CDC/WHO approved vaccines in Mexico for H-2A Temporary Workers. Mexico is the largest provider of H-2A Temporary Agricultural Workers to... more »

Vaccine requirement to impact H-2A workers

As of Jan. 22, the Department of Homeland Security is requiring essential and non-essential travelers entering the U.S. to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. H-2A workers arriving on Jan. 22, 2022, or after, will be... more »

Much-needed health care offered to Florida farmworkers

With about 200,000 migrant farmworkers in Florida, UF/IFAS Extension and the UF College of Medicine will screen as many as possible for various health conditions and give them nutrition information to help improve access to... more »

New deadline to apply for Farm and Food Workers Relief Grants

The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced Jan. 13 it is extending the deadline to submit applications for the Farm and Food Worker Relief (FFWR) Grant Program from Feb. 8, 2022, to March 10, 2022. Additionally,... more »

Western Growers’ bid to block California COVID-19 rule nixed

A California state appeals court has rejected a challenge by Western Growers to the state's COVID-19 workplace safety rule, saying the need to protect workers outweighs any burdens the measure places on employers. Reuters reported... more »

Pandemic funds’ deadline extended for certified organic, transitioning operations

The USDA has extended the deadline for agricultural producers who are certified organic, or transitioning to organic, to apply for the Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP). This program provides pandemic assistance to cover certification and education... more »