Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP)-
CFAP targets producers who’ve sustained losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic by offering direct payments to farmers. The process starts through FSA and an online application option is available, for more info follow the link: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAAMS/bulletins/292d62d
Sign-ups for CFAP began May 26, 2020 and lasts through August 28, 2020. Farmers can download the CFAP payment calculator and forms that need submitted to FSA at https://www.farmers.gov/cfap
Farm Worker Safety-
Even though produce harvest has been well underway for weeks, the ready-to-use educational links contained in the articles below may still be helpful as positive cases of COVID-19 in our watermelon farm workers stress the system:
UGA agriculture faculty produce COVID-19 video, materials for farm workers – Article
“What you need to know about Coronavirus” Video, in Spanish:
General precautionary actions for farm workers recommended by the National Watermelon Association – Article
COVID-19 Survey for GA Fruits & Vegetable Growers-
5 minute survey which will help the UGA Dept of Ag & Applied Econ understand the impacts this virus has had on production practices: https://ugeorgia.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eEQc2Hz1aUW4px3
UGA Extension COVID-19 Resources-
https://extension.uga.edu/topic-areas/timely-topics/emergencies.html#farms
Interim Guidance from CDC and the U.S. Department of Labor–
Agriculture Workers and Employers guidance – from June 11, 2020
Please reach out to me with any questions, comments and/or concerns.
Be Safe & Best Wishes,
Joshua Grant
(229)-417-7062