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.
This page, COVID-19 Resources for Agriculture, is
offered by
Guide COVID-19 Resources for Agriculture
Table of Contents
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)
- Agricultural Tourism Guidance:
- Businesses Providing Outdoor Recreational Experiences and Educational Activities (8/31/20)
- Farm Pick-Your-Own (PYO)/Agricultural Tourism Activities - Updated 7/24/20
- Workplace Safety and Reopening Standards for Business Providing Outdoor Recreational Experiences and Educational Activities - Phase II
- Workplace Safety and Reopening Standards for Business Providing Outdoor Recreational Experiences and Educational Activities - Phase III
- Safety Standards and Checklist: Indoor and Outdoor Events
-
Phase 3 guidance allows businesses to operate in conformance with guideline parameters. Please refer to this link for further information as it relates to horse shows and events.
- Businesses providing Outdoor Recreational Experiences and Educational Activities - includes "horse riding schools and stables"
- Pet Grooming Services
Addressing COVID-19 Impacts, Bulletins and Guidance
Companies that sell hygienic and protective supplies
NEASDA Dairy Letter to Secretary Perdue
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
- Christmas Tree Cut-Your-Own Agricultural Tourism Activities (10/29/20)
- Pesticide Exam Update - 7/23/20
- Farm Pick-Your-Own (PYO)/Agricultural Tourism Activities - Updated 7/24/20
- COVID-19 Testing for Food & Agriculture Essential Services Workers - 6/4/20
- Farm Labor Management - 5/21/20
- Order of the Commissioner of Public Health for Farmers Markets, Farmstands and CSAs - 4/27/20
- Personal Protective Equipment Use During Pesticide Applications - 4/23/20
- Hemp Essential Service Designation - 4/17/20
- Commercial Beekeepers - Live Honey Bees and Associated Hive Equipment Transport and Sales - 4/17/20
- Cleaning and Sanitizing Guidance for Fruits and Vegetables Growers - 4/17/20
- Honey Bee Colony Health Inspections - 4/8/20
- Guidance for Livestock Auction Markets - 3/26/20
- Guidance for Farmers Markets, Farm Stands and CSAs- 3/26/20
- Guidance for Owners of Domestic Animals (pets and livestock)- 3/26/20
- Pesticide License Recertification Processes and Related Impacts from COVID-19- 3/24/20
- Guidance for Horseback Riding Schools and Stables / Boarding Stables- 3/26/20
- To Massachusetts Animal Control Officers (ACOs) and Animal Inspectors- 3/19/20
- Guidance To Massachusetts Fruit and Vegetable Growers- 3/17/20
- Bulletin from the Commissioner - 3/13/20
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.
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:
- Farmers, fishers, specialty food producers with wholesale products to sell to restaurants, grocery stores, and other outlets.
- Buyers (including supermarkets, institutions, schools, food banks, restaurants, and retail outlets) looking for local food products.
- Farmers, fishers, specialty food producers searching for equipment or services, such as storage, distribution.
- 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.
- COVID-19 signs for farm businesses and farmers markets available as PDFs (English, Spanish)
- Farm Pick-Your-Own (PYO)/Agricultural Tourism Activities - 5/4/20
- Cleaning and Sanitizing Guidance for Fruits and Vegetables Growers - 4/17/20
- Food Inspections and Staff Best Practices for the Agricultural Sector- 3/26/20
- Fruit and Vegetable Memo - 3/17/20
- Food Safety and the Coronavirus Disease (FDA)
- Institute for Food Safety at Cornell University
- Novel Coronavirus Prevention & Control for Farms (Cornell)
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
- Phase 3 guidance allows businesses to operate in conformance with guideline parameters. Please refer to this link for further information as it relates to horse shows and events.
- What You Need to Know About COVID-19 and Pets (CDC)
- Guidance for Owners of Domestic Animals (pets and livestock)- 3/26/20
- Guidance for Horseback Riding Schools and Stables / Boarding Stables- 3/26/20
- Guidance for Livestock Auction Markets- 3/26/20
- Telemedicine COVID19 State of Emergency - 3/25/20
- Practice Guidance - 3/25/20
- Interim recommendations for intake of companion animals from households where humans with COVID-19 are present
- Considerations for animal owners in relation to COVID-19
- Considerations for food animal veterinarians during the COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and Your Dairy (Cornell)
- American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
- National Milk Producers Federation
- To Massachusetts Animal Control Officers (ACOs) and Animal Inspectors 3/19/20
- Considerations Before Testing Animals for SARS-CoV-2
- Decision Tree for Testing Animals for SARS-CoV-2
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:
- For a top-line overview of the PPP program CLICK HERE
- Information for prospective borrowers can be found HERE
- The application for borrowers can be found HERE
- MDAR Agricultural Grants and Financial Assistance Programs
- Currently Open:
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)
Be Prepared: What Should Employers do About the Coronavirus? (National Law Review)
CDC: Healthy Workplace Posters: English and Spanish
- Don't Spread Germs (English) (Spanish)
- Stop the Spread (English) (Spanish)
- Keeping Your Workplace Safe
- Additional Resources and Posters from the CDC
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.