Reach out to our ag educators or click here to search resources.

Reach out to our ag educators or click here to search resources.

COVID-19 & Beyond: Resources for the Ag & Food System

Sign-up form for farmers in St. Lawrence County for free hand sanitizer and face coverings. Request supplies here.

Resources for all ag businesses to create the required farm business safety plan:

1. Ag and Mkts: https://agriculture.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2020/05/agm-doh_covid19_cleaningfarm.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2ze0LJbnFGz1TRUS2vjx_fY6Pic-ecN39TsFh4K1J5javfeENigkQOygQ

2. Ag Workforce Development Business Safety Plan Support for Farmers: http://agworkforce.cals.cornell.edu/ny-forward-business-safety-plan/

3. Cornell Institute for Food Safety: https://instituteforfoodsafety.cornell.edu/coronavirus-covid-19/food-industry-resources/

Below are additional resources, best practices, funding sources and more for employers and employees engaged in food production.

CORNELL COLLEGE OF AG AND LIFE SCIENCES (CALS)

General Questions & Links

Food Production, Processing & Safety Questions

Employment & Agricultural Workforce Questions

Cornell Small Farms Resiliency Resources

Financial & Mental Health Resources for Farmers

Produce Safety Alliance
Many resources including templates for farm food safety plans

North Country Regional Ag Team
Crops, dairy, business management and more for the 6-county region

LOANS & GRANTS

Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2
USDA is implementing Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 for agricultural producers who continue to face market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19. Farm Service Agency is accepting CFAP2 applications from September 21 to December 11, 2020.

John May Safety Fund
grants up to $5,000 to improve work-related safety on the farm, from NYCAMH (New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health), applications accepted on a rolling basis

American Farmland Trust, Farmer Relief Fund
Grants up to $1,000 per farm for direct marketing farmers impacted by COVID-19

Small Business Administration Resources and Disaster Loans
Low-interest loans for working capital are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small aquaculture businesses and most private non-profit organizations suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Information on the program, how to apply, and a webinar can be found on ESD’s website located here:

FARMS Farmers Emergency Fund
Assistance up to $500. Provides funds to small farmers (no more than 500 acre farm) for payments of utility, medical, farm labour, equipment repair, or the purchase of seed if suffered recent crop loss.

OTHER RESOURCES

Ag and Markets
Includes latest news, interim guidance for animal care handlers,  guidance for food manufacturing facilities, waivers, mass gatherings and more

University of Vermont (UVM), Ag Engineering
Considerations for fruit and vegetable growers amid COVID-19, Chris Callahan

FDA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Coronavirus

•  https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/mcm-issues/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-frequently-asked-questions#food

Food Industry Association
Includes short-term best practices for food industry, including sample letter template for ag/food workers traveling during the pandemic

The Direct Market Farmer's Guide to COVID-19
Guidance from Local Line on repositioning your business with online sales paired with pickup or delivery

Farmer's Legal Action Group Guide to COVID-19
updated as of 4/13/2020,

Farmers Market Federation
Recommendations for markets including best practices, resources and examples

NYS Farmers Market Federation
Guidelines in New York State

Livestock Sales

Dairy Specific Resources

US Dept.of Transportation, Emergency Declaration

National Young Farmers Coalition
Comparison of Direct Sales Platforms

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility

NYS Guidance on Essential Businesses and Executive Order of Workplace Reduction

Penn State Extension, Free Online Classes
PSU is offering dozens of online classes for no cost, topics including food safety, best agricultural practices, horticulture, environmental stewardship, business management and more


Contact

Maria 'Flip' Filippi
Local Foods Program Leader & Harvest Kitchen Manager
mpf65@cornell.edu
315-379-9192 ext 229

Last updated May 3, 2021