COVID-19 Resources
Agricultural Support Organizations
USDA: https://www.usda.gov/
USDA (Farm Service Agency): https://www.fsa.usda.gov/
NYS Ag and Markets: https://agriculture.ny.gov/
Empire State Development: https://esd.ny.gov/
What to know about Income Tax Extension: https://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/taxes/articles/tax-deadline-extension-what-you-need-to-know
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Coronavirus Updates
Events are changing rapidly with the coronavirus. Some of the information presented in this newsletter is subject to change. For up-to-date developments at the federal level, check the CDC website frequently.
Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development Resources
Novel Coronavirus Prevention & Control for Farms
The U.S. is confronting an outbreak of a novel coronavirus that causes serious respiratory disease and may be deadly for older people and those with weakened immune systems. The World Health Organization is now calling the outbreak a global pandemic because it is affecting countries all over the world. People and organizations can still fight coronavirus by taking steps to prevent transmission of the disease, the whole point of widespread cancellation of events is to create "social distancing" to lower the infection rate and prevent health care systems from being overwhelmed. New York State Department of Health has a Coronavirus Website with English and Spanish posters for preventing coronavirus infection.
Interim Guidance for Horticulture and Nursery Operations, from NYS Ag & MarketsThe New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets on March 24, 2020 released the following PDF "Interim Guidance for Horticulture,".
http://agworkforce.cals.cornell.edu/2020/03/12/novel-coronavirus-prevention-control-for-farms/
Cornell Small Farms Resiliency Resources
Ideas on how to take care of yourself, your farm, and your local community. These resources offer support on the various aspects of farming during a crisis, with a focus on the current COVID-19 pandemic. The content was curated in partnership with educators, researchers and others. It is consistently updated as new information and resources are available.
https://smallfarms.cornell.edu/resources/farm-resilience/
Coronavirus resources & warnings about scams
The Attorney General of New York State has detailed information on Coronavirus resources and warnings on current consumer scams.
Emerging Viral Pathogens Guidance for Antimicrobial Products
EPA has activated its Emerging Viral Pathogens Guidance for Antimicrobial Products in order to enable the use of certain EPA-registered disinfectant products against COVID-19.
https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/emerging-viral-pathogen-guidance-antimicrobial-pesticides
Employment and Agricultural Workforce Questions
The Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development team has assembled many resources to help you protect your workforce, your business, and your markets during the COVID-19 pandemic. Find H2A updates and more!
http://agworkforce.cals.cornell.edu/novel-coronavirus-covid-19/
Farm Stress Management
Resources for managing and warning signs of stress during these uncertain times.
Stress Management in Unprecedented Times
Managing Financial Stress on the Farm
https://www.nyfarmnet.org/farm-stress
Farmers' Market Federation of New York
Provides helpful information as NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets as this continues to develop.
https://www.facebook.com/FMFNY/
Food Production, Processing and Safety Questions
Find answers to questions around the risks associated with food production and to your employees to ensure that a safe and robust food supply is maintained for the public. You can find useful links to expert resources to help address your specific questions. Resources are updated frequently as the situation changes and new information becomes available.
https://instituteforfoodsafety.cornell.edu/coronavirus-covid-19/
FDA's Food and Cosmetics Information Center
Get help with Food, Dietary Supplements, and Cosmetics questions.
FDA Food Safety and Coronavirus Questions & Answers.
Contains resources available to industry members and consumers on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and food safety.
General Questions and Updates: NY Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN)
Find the latest updates on coronavirus impacts in New York. This website is a one-stop source for links to resources for ag, workforce, food industry, food safety, dairy industry, horticulture, H-2A, family, animal care, business relief, and social distancing.
Guidance for Industry
Temporary Policy Regarding Preventive Controls and FSVP Food Supplier Verification Onsite Audit Requirements During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.
Labor Concerns
Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development: https://agworkforce.cals.cornell.edu/
NY Farm Bureau: https://www.nyfb.org/
NY Department of Labor: https://www.labor.ny.gov/home/
Managing Your Fruit Farm Through Covid-19
Topics covered are:
• Health and Safety Basics
• Field Operations
• On-Farm Housing
• Handling COVID-19 Cases
• Managing Business Risks
• Managing Personal Stress
https://blogs.cornell.edu/treefruitbusiness/2020/05/01/managing-your-fruit-farm-through-covid-19/
Mental Health & Health Resources
NY FarmNet: https://www.nyfarmnet.org/
NY FarmNet Hotline : 1-800-547-3276 (24 hr service)
New York State Department of Health: https://www.health.ny.gov/
New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH): https://www.nycamh.org/
Farm Partners (part of Bassett Health Care system and NYCAMH): 1-800-343-7527
NYS Agricultural Mediation Program: https://www.nysamp.com/
Prevent Worker Exposure to Coronavirus (OSHA): https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3989.pdf
Center for Disease Control COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
New York State Department of Heath Novel Coronavirus
For the latest news at the New York State level, including Governor Cuomo's most recent executive actions for citizens, employees, and employers, check the New York State Department of Health Coronavirus website frequently.
https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home
Protecting Yourself & Loved Ones Financially from COVID-19
The Consumer Financial Protection Board has information ranging from what to do if you have trouble paying your bills, are facing income loss, or have a problem with a financial service.
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/coronavirus/
Small Business Administration Economic Industry Disaster Loans:
Eligible small businesses may now apply for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) online at: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela Businesses can take advantage of free assistance offered by SBA's network of Resource Partners for help with preparing their loan applications. They may visit the link below assistance to find local help. The NYS Small Business Development Center network recommends submitting a request for assistance online at http://nyssbdc.org/appointment.html
https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance
Webinar on Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting in the COVID-19 Era
The webinar recording and presentation are now available on the PSA website from Monday's call titled "Setting the Record Straight on Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting in the COVID-19 Era and Beyond". A special thanks to our speaker Dr. Ruth Petran, Senior Corporate Scientist - Food Safety and Public Health at Ecolab, for her informative presentation and helpful Q&A session.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=749ryrVGwDI&feature=youtu.be
Upcoming Events
CCE's NY Tree Fruit Conference sponsored by CCE Eastern NY Commercial Hort Program & CCE Lake Ontario Fruit Program
February 2 - February 4, 2021
The Cornell Cooperative Extension Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture Program and the Lake Ontario Fruit Program will be cooperatively hosting the 2021 Cornell NYS Tree Fruit Conference online from Feb 2-4. Due to COVID-19 limitations on live meetings, this program replaces CCE-LOF's Winter Fruit Schools and CCE-ENYCHP's Fruit & Vegetable Conference (tree fruit section).
Register Now!
Cornell Small Farms Program New Season of Online Courses-Enroll Now!
January 11, 2021
February 22, 2021
September 1, 2021
November 1, 2021
CSFP's new season of online courses is almost halfway through, and now's the time to register for their upcoming block three courses which begin in the new year. Upcoming courses include their new offering on social media and online marketing, farm business courses, and production courses covering beekeeping, mushrooms, sheep and more.