COVID-19

Pandemic Cover Crop Program helps producers continue cover crop systems

Agricultural producers who have coverage under most crop insurance policies are eligible for a premium benefit from the USDA if they planted cover crops during this crop year. The Pandemic Cover Crop Program, offered by... more »

Washington Gov. Inslee announces update to agriculture requirements

Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee issued updates May 28 to the agriculture workplace requirements to coincide with changes to the emergency rules for temporary worker housing released by the departments of Health and Labor & Industries.... more »

Grant expands Cornell Farmworker Program efforts

As COVID-19 bore down on New York state, the Cornell Farmworker Program used mobile phone technology to provide rapid guidance and clear health information in multiple languages to the state’s farmworkers. Now, new federal funding will expand... more »

California COVID-19 work rules to be revised after farm groups’ concerns

Revised rules governing COVID-19 precautions in California's workplaces have been sent back for changes that are due this week, after farm groups and others raised objections. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health Standards... more »

$330M in specialty crops grants, incentives to purchase produce set

The USDA announced April 13 the availability of more than $330 million to help agricultural producers and organizations in the food supply chain recover from the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding is... more »

Coronavirus Food Assistance Program reopened by USDA

The USDA Farm Service Agency announced its Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 signup is reopened as of April 5, as part of the Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. Farmers and ranchers will have at least... more »

30 recommendations presented that would help guide a new food box program

United Fresh Produce Association’s Produce Box Working Group on March 31 presented USDA with a set of 30 recommendations that would help guide a new program around produce food boxes. Release of the recommendations is in... more »

USDA establishing new programs, efforts to bring financial assistance to farmers

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced March 24 that USDA is establishing new programs and efforts to bring financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and producers who felt the impact of COVID-19 market disruptions. [caption id="" align="alignright"... more »

Fresh produce sales added $483M versus comparable period in 2020

“In December, we saw consumers moving around much more than any other month during the pandemic,” said Jonna Parker, Team Lead Fresh for IRI. “But come February, trips and basket size trends moved back to... more »

PPP loans also available to self-employed farmers

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was created in the CARES Act in 2020 to provide forgivable loans to small businesses, including farms. Much has been made of the provisions that focus on payroll expenses. However,... more »