COVID-19
Michigan order extends pesticide applicator credentials until June
A new emergency rule filed on Dec. 30 by Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Gary McDowell extended pesticide applicator credential expiration dates as part of the state’s continued COVID-19 response. Applicators... more »
Coalition challenges Cal/OSHA emergency standards to protect nation’s food supply
A coalition of agricultural and business employers has filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court challenging the COVID-19 related emergency temporary standards recently approved by the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board. According... more »
Small business COVID-19 relief offers support for California farmers, ranchers
California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently announced the creation of a $500 million California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program. The application period for round one began Dec. 30 and lasts until Jan. 8, 2021. The... more »
Colorado farms, processors get $1.6M in CARES Act grant funding
The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA), in partnership with the Colorado Farm & Food Systems Respond & Rebuild Fund, has awarded $1,658,000 in grants to Colorado farmers, ranchers, food hubs and processors. Recognizing the fundamental... more »
CSU scholars discuss COVID-19’s impacts on food system, ag workers
The High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety (HICAHS) at Colorado State University hosted a virtual panel discussion on the impacts of COVID-19 on workers in the agricultural sector on Tuesday, Dec. 8. Moderated by... more »
Grower-shipper group expands farm worker COVID-prevention training to Yuma
Replicating another of its Salinas Valley programs, the Grower Shipper Association of Central California (GSA) has established a COVID-19 training prevention program for food facility and farm employees in the Yuma in cooperation with the Regional... more »
USDA project to explore lessons learned from pandemic’s impact on food systems
The USDA has awarded a multi-region, multi-institution research and outreach project to assess the impact of COVID-19 on food and agricultural systems and to develop strategies for coping with future crises. “Lessons from COVID-19: Positioning... more »
Gebbers Farms fined $2M for violating COVID-19 safety procedures
An investigation into the COVID-19 deaths of two workers at a central Washington farm has found dozens of safety and health violations. As a result, the Washington state Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has cited Gebbers... more »
PMA hails passage of COVID-19 stimulus package
Late at night on Dec. 20, the U.S. House and Senate leadership reached agreement on a $908 billion COVID-19 stimulus package that will bring a desperately needed financial infusion into the U.S. fresh produce and... more »
Survey examines COVID-19 impact on Washington farms and ranches
Washington State University is collaborating with the University of Washington and the Washington State Department of Agriculture to survey the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on farms and ranches in Washington state. The Washington State... more »
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