Resources Regarding COVID - 19

Jan 1, 2022

Reminder, due to state and federal orders there have been changes, or they are coming.  For NYS, people must wear masks in indoor locations, masked or not.  See info here.

You will  need to determine vaccinations requirements based on type of business and number of employees.  See this link for more information on the national executive order.

COVID-19 is still here and is spreading again. for updated guidance from the CDC please go here. For farms, storage facilities and packing houses, if you need any face masks or hand sanitizer please let me know as I still have some available. Beth

Vaccinations are become widely available.  Please follow the Wayne County Public Health Facebbook page for pop up clinics and the NYS Vaccination Registration Site for an appointment.  If you are a farm employee or owner, you can schedule self and employee vaccinations through Finger Lakes Community Health. Let me know if you have any questions, Beth

The best up to date site on COVID-19 research, testing, vaccination, rates is the Cornell Food Institute website.  Although the information is geared toward food manufacturing, it provides the best information to protect yourself and your employees.  The website has links to all the resources available at the state and national levels.  You can access that website here.

If you are a twitter follower, stay abreast of events and be aware of new resources is to follow

@CCE_Disaster on Twitter. Retweeting is highly encouraged.

You can find other ag recordings on production practices, etc on the Ag Specialist Teams website.

Templates and Examples of Farm and Business Safety Plans: 

• Details on the requirements, including sample plans for many industries
• Sample plan template and one for farms in adobe PDF, other examples are here
• Farm Information and Plans

Guidance for Ag Related Businesses:

• Guidance on Operations of Farmers' Markets 2021

• Guidance on Operations of Farmers' Markets (2020) 
  • Please see document above and link below for all things "Farmers' Markets"
• Updated Guidance from NYS Farmers Market Federation (May 2021)
• Guidance for operating a U-Pick Operation
• Three Agriculture Production guidance documents (2020) 
  • Operator Check list
  • Tips for Farm
  • Cleaning and Disinfecting
• Agriculture and Workers Guidance, from CDC and DOL
• Best Practices for Tasting Rooms during COVID - 
• Why wearing a mask is important
• Q and A from Ag and Markets for Agritourism

General information on the Agriculture Farmworkforce and COVD - and NON Farm businesses please also go here, there is tons of guidance and links

Novel Coronavirus Prevention and Control for Farms

General Resources to know:

Extension Disaster Education Network: - The Cornell Website with Current Info from Many Different Sources

Local Information for Wayne County- Wayne County DOH

Link to NYS Press Releases and Executive Orders

Essential Animal Care Guidance

Food Safety Institute

Cornell Small Farms Resiliency Resources

Financial and Mental Health Resources for Farmers

Farm Resources Guide on COVID-19

CCE Helps NY Communities get Ready Recover

Consumer Support during COVID:

Consumer Financial Information

Spotting Scams and Misinformation

COVID Resources for Financial Wellness- listing of federal, state and local resources

Guidance for Proper Use of Disinfectants for the Home, Farm, Business - document written in response to increased medical emergencies due to improper use of cleaning materials.

Guidance for Community Gardens during COVID

CDC fact sheet on proper use of Face Masks

Dispelling Consumer Myths - a pdf of a presentation by the Cornell Food Industry experts and a link to a youtube recording.

Past Updates on Specific Rule and Requirement for Farms:

• Respirator Fit Test and Training Update
  • Respirator Fit Test and Training must be done for all required farms in 2021.  CCE Wayne is having a clinic April 26 and April 27 - these dates and times are full, but if you would like to get on a waiting list, please contact Beth.
  • US DOL guidance on Fit Testing, website
• COVID -19 and Your Produce Farm
  
  • Steps that owners and employees should consider to protect their workforce, business and markets.
  • New Video (Posted April 21 )on COVID for Spanish Speaking Employees
• Pesticide Applicator Re-Certification on Pause - Please see the DEC site for updated information whose certification lapsed on or after November 1, 2019, to continue to operate until 60 days after the expiration of Executive Order 202 (set to expire on Sept. 7)
• Dairy Industry Streaming Series by Hoard's Dairyman - focusing on dairy economics, marketing and hauling (This link will bring you to an saved email, which you should be able to open in your normal email.)

Information and Links for PPP and EIDL and Other grants/loan programs:

• Small Business Development Admin -direct link to disaster/emergency funding, small business, farm, sole proprietor can all apply
  • All info on Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and EIDL (Economic Injury Disaster Loan) As of April 16, the funds for this current program have run out, but please still talk with your lenders and get in line for the next funding availability. Single owner businesses can apply, even if you don't have payroll, and can use Schedule C for self-employed. Related fact sheet dated April 17.
  • EIDL money was used up as of April 28, and new guidance for this next round of PPP is included here (dated April 27).
  • New and added info from May 11 is here. And fact sheet
• Coronavirus Food Assistance Program - FARMERS, THE USDA will supply direct aid payments, see if you are eligible. There is a webinar 5/27.

Last updated January 7, 2022