COVID-19
November produce sales continue to track ahead
November sales are dominated by the all important Thanksgiving holiday – one of the largest retail opportunities in produce and many other retail departments. This makes it a hard-to-beat sales occasion any year. However, throughout... more »
Emergency regulations on COVID-19 govern California employers, workplaces
On Nov. 30, 2020, the California Office of Administrative Law approved an Emergency Temporary Standard requiring new employer protocols for employers to implement to protect employees against workplace spread of COVID-19 which had been approved... more »
Dec. 11 deadline for USDA program for farms impacted by COVID-19
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds farmers and ranchers to apply for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) by Dec. 11. This program provides direct relief to producers... more »
Michigan farmers’ markets adjust to pandemic
Most of the Michigan's 240 farmers' markets survived during the pandemic that upended the way fresh produce, baked goods and other items are sold at the popular venues. According to a story by Judy Putnam... more »
Strong and stable fresh produce retail gains in October
Eight months into the pandemic, the virus remains in firm control of how and where people spend their food dollar. Everyday sales have been on a slow march back to normal and restaurant transactions had... more »
Ontario farm groups agree with COVID-19 prevention measures
Ontario farmers are preparing for next growing season and with that comes a strategy to prevent COVID-19 and protect workers. According to BlackburnNews.com, earlier this year a Sector Leadership Group on COVID-19 was put together... more »
Farmworker assistance gets $3M boost after Ventura County demand rises
The Ventura County, California, Board of Supervisors approved $3.65 million to provide financial assistance to farmworkers during the coronavirus pandemic after seeing high demand for the Farmworker Household Assistance Program. The program, approved Nov. 10,... more »
Penn State plans Virtual Ag Issues Forum on CFAP 2
Penn State Extension is partnering with the Pennsylvania Farm Service Agency to offer a webinar, titled Financial Assistance through the USDA CFAP 2 Program, on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020, 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Learn... more »
More than 20 farms in Washington cited for coronavirus violations since March
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has conducted 384 agricultural workplace safety and health inspections so far this year to help make sure farmworkers are safe on the job. One hundred thirty of those... more »
Apply now for USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2
U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency reminds farmers and ranchers that the deadline to apply for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 is Dec. 11, 2020. This program provides direct relief to producers who... more »