COVID-19
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 has provisions for ag, Farm Bureau notes
In early March the Senate passed, on a party-line vote, the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The legislation goes back to the House – likely this week – before... more »
Comments sought for potential successor to food box purchase program
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service seeks comments on the development, coordination and implementation of a food purchase and distribution program intended to provide additional aid to nonprofits serving Americans in need of nutrition assistance. If... more »
Michigan’s food, ag workers encouraged to register to receive COVID-19 vaccine
Michigan’s food processing and agricultural workers are encouraged to register to receive a COVID-19 vaccination appointment as eligibility expands to Michiganders working in the food and agriculture sector. "Throughout the pandemic, Michigan’s food and agriculture... more »
Michigan ag director issues emergency rules to protect agricultural workers
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Gary McDowell issued on March 2 Pandemic Public Health Measures in Migrant Agricultural Worker Housing Emergency Rules. The rules require licensed housing providers to create and implement... more »
Cal/OSHA Emergency Standards action cited by ag, business group
In response to the decision Feb. 26 of the Superior Court to deny motions for preliminary injunctions restraining the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board from enforcing the Emergency Temporary Standards, a coalition of... more »
Colorado food and ag workers eligible for COVID-19 vaccine distribution
On Feb. 26, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, Brigadier General Scott Sherman and Scott Bookman, Incident Commander with the Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment provided a much anticipated announcement that the state will enter... more »
Coronavirus Food Assistance Program application deadline extended
USDA announced it has extended the deadline to apply for the latest round of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. The original deadline was Feb. 26. But according to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, the new deadline... more »
Michigan ag workers gain March 1 access to COVID-19 vaccine
The Michigan Department of Health of Human Services announced Feb. 15 a new program to enhance the state’s equity strategy to reach more Michiganders with the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. As part of the... more »
State departments of agriculture request spending flexibility to protect farm workers
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture sent a letter Feb. 8 to U.S. Acting Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Shea to request additional flexibility for states’ use of Specialty Crop Block Grants included in the... more »
Food, ag workers at top list for those most at-risk of COVID-19 death
A University of California, San Francisco study of the jobs at most risk for death from COVID-19 shows line cooks, machine operators, agricultural workers, bakers, and construction laborers at the top of the list. The... more »