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COVID-19 Resources for Agriculture

In response to the spread of COVID-19 and the measures being taken to address it, MDAR has compiled a list of resources to keep our agricultural community informed and aware of relevant policies and best practices. Following the guidelines of health and government officials in light of the Coronavirus pandemic, MDAR is temporarily limiting face-to-face meetings, visits to farms, educational events, etc. We will work with farmers and our agricultural stakeholders via phone, email, and webinar to ensure that work continues to move forward.

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Massachusetts COVID-19 Vaccine Program

Toolkit of materials

Please visit Stop COVID-19 – Vaccine education and outreach materials | Mass.gov for a toolkit of materials in multiple languages that community-based organizations can use to conduct outreach/education with the people and communities that they serve. Examples of materials include:

  • A guide to hosting a forum on COVID-19 vaccine
  • Vaccine need-to-know fliers and posters
  • Fliers about the distribution timeline 
  • Post-vaccine information for Pfizer and Moderna
  • Social media graphics

Check back often – materials will continue to be added and updated.

Webinar invitation - Thursday, February 11 or Tuesday, February 16 for a webinar that will:

  • Encourage and support community-based organizations to conduct their own community education sessions on the COVID-19 vaccine using DPH-approved educational material.
  • Describe how to use and access educational materials such as:
    • Guide to hosting community forums
    • Answers to frequently asked questions
    • Other materials available on mass.gov including data dashboards
  • Describe how to request a DPH “Vaccine Ambassador” to support community meetings.

Please register here for one of the following days/times (both webinars will cover the same information):

  • Thursday, February 11 from 9:00-10:00am
  • Tuesday, February 16 from 12:00-1:00pm

 

Re-Opening Guidance for Industries

Companies that sell hygienic and protective supplies

Order of the Commissioner of Public Health for Farmers Markets, Farm Stands, and CSAs (9/17/20)

Addressing COVID-19 Impacts, Bulletins and Guidance

Companies that sell hygienic and protective supplies

NEASDA Dairy Letter to Secretary Perdue

Guidance of the Commissioner of Public Health Regarding Operations of Nurseries, Greenhouses, Garden Centers, and Agricultural Supply Stores Under the Essential Services Orders - 3/31/20

Agriculture Day 2020 Letter from Commissioner Lebeaux - 3/25/20

Travel Template for MA Ag Employers - 4/1/20

COVID-19 Essential Services - Emergency Order - 3/23/20 - Food & Agriculture “Essential” - Governor Charlie Baker issued an emergency order requiring all businesses and organizations that do not provide “COVID-19 Essential Services” to close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers and the public as of Tuesday, March 24th at noon until Tuesday, April 7th at noon. *Governor Baker's order has been extended until May 4th.

*Updated list of Essential Services - As of March 31st.

COVID-19 Essential Services FAQs

MDAR Bulletins

Marketing and Distribution

Connecting consumers with local food during COVID-19 

The Massachusetts Grown and Fresher website continues to be the portal for direct sales to consumers looking for farms and farmers markets.The MassGrown Map offers up to date retail locations and users can now search for farms that offer delivery and mail-order.  If you need to to get listed or have edits, contact Richard.LeBlanc@mass.gov.

The COVID-19: How & Where to Buy Local site offers new links to Curbside Pick-up and Delivery Options as well as Buy Local Group listings.

MassGrown Exchange

MDAR now offers a business to business platform that assists farmers, fishers, food buyers, and ag-related businesses to connect, exchange, and find products and services. 

It is a tool for businesses looking to sell, donate or purchase Massachusetts crops, seafood, products and services, which includes:

  1. Farmers, fishers, specialty food producers with wholesale products to sell to restaurants, grocery stores, and other outlets.
  2. Buyers (including supermarkets, institutions, schools, food banks, restaurants, and retail outlets) looking for local food products.
  3. Farmers, fishers, specialty food producers searching for equipment or services, such as storage, distribution.
  4. Service and equipment providers working with businesses in the food system.

No registration required. Learn more here. 

Food Safety

Recommendations and links specific to best practices for food safety.

Farmers' Markets

The following organizations have information relating to farmers' market operations during the COVID-19 outbreak:

Order of the Commissioner of Public Health for Farmers Markets, Farm Stands and CSAs (9/17/20)

Order of the Commissioner of Public Health for Farmers Markets, Farm Stands and CSAs - 4/27/20

Guidance for Farmers Markets, Farm Stands and CSAs- 3/26/20

MA Farmers Market Association - Guidance for Market Managers - 4/7/20

Animal Health

Labor

Farm Labor Management - Considerations for Fruit and Vegetable Growers Related to Coronavirus & COVID-19

Farm Labor Camp COVID-19 Checklist - Attestation

Protecting Workers: Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace (US Dept. of Labor) Guidance posted January 29, 2021

USDA Potential Resources for Seasonal Agriculture Laborers - June 2020

COVID-19 Guidance for Agriculture Workers and Employers (CDC)

COVID-19 guidance for all Meat and Poultry Processing Workers and Employers (CDC)

US Dept of Labor:

Financial Resources and Funding Opportunities

Small Business Grants Are Available (10/22) - The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has made $50.8 million in grants available to support small businesses, microenterprises, and their employees, families and communities. For businesses experiencing economic hardship and a loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program (6/11) - Infrastructure grants in the food system that were created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this program is not to buy food or employ people; it’s to provide support to fund necessary modifications to business practices created by the response to the virus.

Department of Treasury (Treasury) and Small Business Administration (SBA) released an interim final rule on the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Agricultural producers are eligible to participate in the program and should reach out to their bankers and/or agricultural lenders to apply immediately. While SBA still needs to confirm some administrative details, loans will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis and producers can get started on the application now:

Mental Health Resources

Maintaining Emotional Health & Well-Being During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Parenting in a pandemic (The Recorder)

Talking to kids about Covid-19 (Cornell)

Coronavirus: Mental Health Coping Strategies (NAMI)

Disaster Distress Helpline (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services)

In the Spotlight: Farms, Food Banks, and Ag Businesses Supporting the COVID-19 Response

As I See It: Local farmers help state respond to COVID-19 (Telegram) Commissioner Lebeaux

Ag-related articles now posted via MassGrown Twitter.

More Resources

UMass: Resources for the Coronavirus Public Health Emergency

The MA Food System and COVID-19 (MFSC)

Covid-19 Resources for Farmers and Small Businesses (Legal Food Hub)

Legal Resources for Small Businesses

Institutional Food Systems and COVID-19: Resource Guide (FINE)

National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA)

USDA Coronavirus FAQ

FDA

Be Prepared: What Should Employers do About the Coronavirus? (National Law Review)

CDC: Healthy Workplace Posters: English and Spanish

The Food Systems Leadership Network COVID-19 Response Group was created by the Wallace Centerprovides a platform to connect on challenges, opportunities and ideas relating to the national food system. You can sign up for the FSLN COVID-19 Response Group via this short form. 

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