COVID-19 Resources for Vegetable Growers – Vegetable Crops Hotline

COVID-19 Resources for Vegetable Growers

New 6-3-2020: Application for Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) open; Jim Mintert and Indiana FSA Director Steve Brown discuss CFAP application;Indiana State Dept. of Health – Food Safety Guidance (English and Spanish); Guidance for Migrant Farm Workers, Labor Camps Operators and their Employers (Spanish); FDA and USDA release recommendations for those short of PPE.

What is new? (6-3-2020)

Coronavirus Food Assistance Program Application Details with Purdue’s Jim Mintert and Indiana FSA Director Steve Brown – video and podcast  (5/27)
https://ag.purdue.edu/commercialag/home/resource/2020/05/coronavirus-food-assistance-program/

Application for Coronavirus Food Assistance Program open on May 26 (5/27)
https://www.farmers.gov/cfap

Indiana State Dept. of Health – Food Safety Guidance – 5/29 update (6/3)
English https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/files/IN_COVID-19_FoodGuidance_5.29.20.pdf
Spanish https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/files/IN_COVID-19_FoodGuidance_03.31.20_version%20nueva.pdf

Indiana State Dept. of Health – Interim Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Guidance for Migrant Farm Workers, Labor Camps Operators and their Employers – Spanish version (5/19)
https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/files/COVID-19%20migrant%20worker%20Spanish%205.19.20.pdf

FDA and USDA release recommendations for those short of PPE (5/22)
https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-and-usda-release-recommendations-those-food-and-agriculture-sector-experiencing-shortages-ppe 

Here are the categorized information resources

Financial

Coronavirus Food Assistance Program Application Details with Purdue’s Jim Mintert and Indiana FSA Director Steve Brown – video and podcast  (5/27)
https://ag.purdue.edu/commercialag/home/resource/2020/05/coronavirus-food-assistance-program/

Application for Coronavirus Food Assistance Program open on May 26 (5/27)
https://www.farmers.gov/cfap

SBA COVID-19 DISASTER LOANS FOR INDIANA SMALL BUSINESSES (link update 5/7)
https://isbdc.org/indianacovid19smallbusiness/
https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options

SBA Help for Small (and Family) Businesses, Purdue Institute for Family Farms (update) (4/28)
https://ag.purdue.edu/agecon/fambiz/Documents/SBA_Help_for_Small_Businesses.pdf

COVID-19 Affected Business and Employee Resource Guide from Sen. Braun (3/27)
https://www.braun.senate.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/Senator%20Mike%20Braun%20COVID-19%20Affected%20Business%20and%20Employee%20Resource%20Guide_0.pdf
Information about the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES Act); the Families First Coronavirus Response Act; and Small Business Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL).

Production

COVID-19 response plan template and FAQ for fruit and vegetable farms from UMN. (5/7)
https://blog-fruit-vegetable-ipm.extension.umn.edu/2020/04/covid-19-response-plan-template-and-faq.html
This template can help you plan and communicate with others about changes in your operation that are needed to deal with the corona virus pandemic.

A Guide for Community Gardens During the COVID-19 Pandemic (3/25)
https://extension.purdue.edu/article/36666 

Purdue Crop Chat Podcast Episode 2, COVID-19 Implications (3/25)
https://www.hoosieragtoday.com/purdue-crop-chat-podcast-episode-2-covid-19-implications/

Labor and Family

Indiana State Dept. of Health – Interim Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Guidance for Migrant Farm Workers, Labor Camps Operators and their Employers – Spanish version (5/19)
https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/files/COVID-19%20migrant%20worker%20Spanish%205.19.20.pdf

FDA and USDA release recommendations for those short of PPE (5/22)
https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-and-usda-release-recommendations-those-food-and-agriculture-sector-experiencing-shortages-ppe 

Be Careful When Employing Youth to Do Farm Work This Spring – Know the Laws (4/23)
https://extension.purdue.edu/INPREPared/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Be-Careful-When-Employing-Youth-to-do-Farm-Work-–-Know-the-Laws1.docx

Protecting Farm Labor during the COVID-19 Pandemic (4/28)
https://extension.purdue.edu/article/36891

Safety for Farm Children During COVID-19 Stay-at-Home Orders (4/23)
https://extension.purdue.edu/INPREPared/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/COVID-and-Farm-children.docx

Indiana State Dept. of Health – Interim Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Guidance for Migrant Farm Workers, Labor Camps Operators and their Employers (3/25)
English: https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/files/IN_COVID-19%20worker%203.25.20.pdf
Spanish: https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/files/COVID-19%20migrant%20worker%20Spanish%205.19.20.pdf

H2A https://www.farmers.gov/manage/h2a
Temporary final rule to change certain H-2A requirements to help U.S. agricultural employers (4/16)
https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2020/04/15/dhs-and-usda-move-protect-american-farmers-and-ensure-continued 
H2A Update: Waiver of in-person interview requirements for certain H-2A and H-2B visa applicants. (3/27)
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/important-announcement-on-h2-visas.html

Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) from CDC (3/24)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html 

OSHA Guidance to Help Prevent Worker Exposure to COVID-19 (3/19)
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/controlprevention.html

U.S. Dept. of Labor – COVID-19 and the American Workplace. (3/27)
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic

Food Safety and Sanitation

Please check Safe Produce Indiana for more updated information related to food safety

Indiana State Dept. of Health – Food Safety Guidance – 5/29 update (6/3)
English https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/files/IN_COVID-19_FoodGuidance_5.29.20.pdf
Spanish https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/files/IN_COVID-19_FoodGuidance_03.31.20_version%20nueva.pdf

FDA Q&A regarding food safety and the coronavirus disease. Updated questions including: How do I maintain social distancing in my food production/processing facility?; What do I need to do if a worker in my farm has tested positive for COVID-19? (4/07)
https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-during-emergencies/food-safety-and-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19

FDA food safety recommendations for producers and restaurant owners (3/19)
https://extension.purdue.edu/article/36599

USDA Temporarily Extends Expiration Dates for Some Good Agricultural Practices, Domestic Origin Verification, Plant Systems Audit Program Certifications (3/31)
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAAMS/bulletins/283fd87 

Indiana State Dept. of Health – Food Safety Guidance (update 5/29)
English: https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/files/IN_COVID-19_FoodGuidance_5.29.20.pdf
Spanish: https://coronavirus.in.gov/files/IN_COVID-19_FoodGuidance_03.31.20_version%20nueva.pdf

Indiana Registered Disinfectants for Use Against COVID-19 (5/15)
https://www.oisc.purdue.edu/pesticide/pdf/covid-19_disinfectants_051520.pdf

EPA List of Disinfectants for COVID-19 (3/19)
https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2

A Guide to Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting for Produce Farms, from Univ. Vermont (3/31)
https://blog.uvm.edu/cwcallah/2020/03/30/clean-sanitize-disinfect/

Build Your Own Handwashing Station, Rutgers (3/31)
https://onfarmfoodsafety.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Build-Your-Own-Hand-Washing-Station.pdf

Food Safety and Sanitation Resources from NCSU (3/25)
https://foodsafety.ces.ncsu.edu/covid-19-resources/
Simple 2-page, large-font materials about food safety and sanitation. Social media images. Spanish and English.

Best Practices for Food Stores and Food Pick-Up /Delivery Services, FDA (5/14)
https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-during-emergencies/best-practices-retail-food-stores-restaurants-and-food-pick-updelivery-services-during-covid-19#employeehygiene

Markets/Marketing

A Guide for U-Pick Producers / Agritourism Sites During the COVID-19 Pandemic (5/14)
https://extension.purdue.edu/article/37222

Guidelines to Exercise Essential Status for a Farmers’ Market (updated 5/12)
https://www.purdue.edu/dffs/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/COVID-DFFS-INDIANA_Farmer-Market-Guidelines_0512REV.pdf

A Guide to Alternative Delivery Systems for Local Producers During the COVID-19 Pandemic (3/24)
https://extension.purdue.edu/article/36645

Ag Economist weighs in on impacts of COVID-19 on food markets (3/24)
https://extension.purdue.edu/article/36559

A guide for local producers to navigate the COVID-19 outbreak (3/19)
https://extension.purdue.edu/article/36549

A guide for farmers’ markets to navigate the COVID-19 outbreak (3/19)
https://extension.purdue.edu/article/36616

A consumer guide to buying from local farmers during the COVID-19 outbreak (3/19)
https://extension.purdue.edu/article/36596 

Recommendations for Produce Auctions During the COVID-19 Pandemic (4/28)
https://extension.purdue.edu/article/36888

Working with Food-Purchasing Assistance Programs (4/28)
https://extension.purdue.edu/article/36927

USDA – if you wish to provide suggestions (3/25)
For solutions to feeding children impacted by COVID-19, email feedingkids@usda.gov.
For solutions impacting America’s food supply chain and other logistical complications, email foodsupplychain@usda.gov.
(from https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2020/03/17/usda-working-private-sector-response-covid-19)

Resources from Trade Associations, etc. 

Farmers Market Coalition Resource Page – includes examples of practices across the country (3/27)
https://farmersmarketcoalition.org/covid-19-crisis-farmers-market-new-guidelines/

Hoosier Young Farmers Coalition Resources Page (3/25)
https://www.hoosieryfc.org/resources.html

United Fresh Produce Association Coronavirus Resource Page (5/14)
https://www.unitedfresh.org/coronavirus-fresh-produce-industry-resource-page

Agency and Organization Updates

Indiana State Chemist and Seed CommissionerCOVID-19 Adjustments Update (5/5)
https://www.oisc.purdue.edu/pesticide/pdf/covid-19_adjustment_update_050520.pdf

Key Sites – General

Coronavirus and USDA Service Centers (3/24)
https://www.farmers.gov/coronavirus 

Indiana Disaster Prep from Purdue Extension (3/19)
https://extension.purdue.edu/INPREPared/coronavirus/

Indiana State Dept. of Agriculture (3/24)
https://www.in.gov/isda/3555.htm

Indiana State Dept. of Health (3/19)
https://www.in.gov/coronavirus/

U.S. Centers for Disease Control (3/19)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

U.S. FDA (3/19)
https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/mcm-issues/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19

World Health Organization (3/19)
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 

Please let us know of other resources we should publicize, or information you need and can’t find.

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