COVID-19

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 »

Speakers say COVID-19 having long-term effects on agriculture industry

While the global health pandemic had a devastating impact on international trade in 2020, there may be a silver lining. For the first time, policymakers now view the agriculture industry as national security. Speaking at... more »

AgriSafe’s COVID-19 toolkit aims to increase vaccine confidence

Agriculture is known as one of the most dangerous industries in America, and during the COVID- 19 pandemic this industry has been essential in providing food and fiber to the country, despite increased risk of... more »

Applications accepted for Farm and Food Workers Relief grant program

The USDA announced Nov. 11 that it is accepting applications for the new Farm and Food Workers Relief grant program first announced on Sept. 7, 2021. The program will provide $665 million to fund competitive... more »

Application period opens for Pandemic Response and Safety Grant Program

The USDA announced Oct. 14 a Request for Applications (RFA) for the new Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) Grant program and encourages eligible entities to apply now for funds. Applications must be submitted electronically through the grant... more »

USDA sets Oct. 12 deadline for CFAP 2 applications, modifications

USDA is updating the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) for contract producers of eligible livestock and poultry and producers of specialty crops and other sales-based commodities. CFAP 2, which assists producers who faced... more »

Fresh produce reaches highest year-on-year gain since March 2021

The multi-month normalization of grocery shopping patterns came to a halt in August. “Since January 2021, we had been seeing the share of meals prepared at home decrease a little each month,” said Jonna Parker,... more »

United Fresh reacts to accountability office’s USDA Food Box Program report

"USDA Food Box Program: Key Information and Opportunities to Better Assess Performance,” released Sept. 8, sheds additional light on the program which delivered more than 176 million boxes of food from May 2020 to June... more »

USApple: Many apple businesses omitted from COVID-19 assistance program

Many U.S. apple businesses won’t qualify for critical COVID-relief assistance that was announced Sept. 9 by USDA, said the U.S. Apple Association. The $700 million Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) Grant program is intended to... more »

Ag employers’ group offers new chance to vaccinate California farmworkers

The National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) announced Sept. 9 that the council’s ongoing collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has resulted in another new opportunity to protect farmworkers from COVID-19. “Earlier this... more »