Farm Stress Management
Check out these these resources for managing farm stress during these uncertain times.
"How to" Zoom: YouTube Video Link Available
To ensure the health and safety of everyone we are practicing social distancing. Specialists are still available for consult via phone calls, emails, and Zoom meetings. Zoom allows for a face to face meeting via a computer/smartphone and includes the option for screen sharing. For anyone new to this technology Cornell has created a basic YouTube video on
How to use Zoom.
REVISED PROGRAM for SPECIAL PERMIT TRAINING
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has approved a revised Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Special Permit Training (SPT) Program for 2020. This will accommodate current restrictions on public meetings, recommendations for social distancing, and projected delays in H2A guest worker processing. Our previously announced SPT in-person training sessions scheduled in Wayne and Orleans counties for April 7 and 8 have been cancelled. However, a recorded webinar is being developed that will satisfy the requirements. The training is currently being developed and a release date has not been scheduled yet. Stay tuned to our newsletter and website for updates.
If you have any employees who will need Special Permit training and authorization to apply pesticides this year please
register online now.
The deadline to pre-register for 2020 SPT is Friday April 3rd. Note that your spray operators do not have to be in-country in order to pre-register.
To pre-register, or for more information, please contact me (Janet Van Zoeren, at 585-797-8368 or jev67@cornell.edu)
Many thanks to the NYS DEC, CALS and CCE administration, and other CCE staff for their prompt action on this very critical program for NYS agriculture. Special thanks to Dan Donahue of CCE-ENYCHP for being the key liaison to make this work for our stakeholders.
Check Back for Additional Revised Program Details
Fruit Facts - Have You Enrolled?
Look for the first Fruit Facts from LOF this Friday, March 21. Make sure that you're enrolled for the supplemental Fruit Facts.
Enrollment infoH-2A Visa, Embassy Closures, & Travel Restriction
Visas and Travel from Major H-2A Source Countries Jamaica has stopped processing visas until April. One embassy employee tested positive for COVID-19 and is now
Read more…by Richard Stup on March 18, 2020
Fit Testing Options
More information for other fit testing options can be found below and online at:
https://www.osha.gov/memos/2020-03-14/temporary-enforcement-guidance-healthcare-respiratory-protection-annual-fit Alternate ways to get this done have been identified:
FL Occupation Health Services can still do training and testing at their office in Rochester with only 4 at a time. Donna Lawrence is the contact and her phone number is: 585-244-4771 Please call now to schedule, but times for testing may not be immediately available.
A local contact, Bruce Wallace, can also do the training and testing. He can do groups of 10 and asks that you work with your neighbors to put that together. His contact is: 315-573-4654 Please call as he is doing testing and it seems to work as everyone has their mask on the whole time.
When you connect with either of these options, please ask them about fees and additional concerns about health and safety in light of the COVID- 19 situation.
For additional questions please contact Beth Claypoole at 315-331-8415 ext 102 or
eac9@cornell.eduNovel 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 (
https://health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/).
Interim Guidance for Horticulture and Nursery Operations, from NYS Ag & Markets
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets on March 24, 2020 released "Interim Guidance for Horticulture," you can find a PDF available at
Ag Workforce Development.
CCE prioritizes the health, safety and well-being of the communities we serve. Given the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, and due to an abundance of caution certain events will be cancelled. Please check back through out the week for any additional event cancellations.
Updates from the Lake Ontario Fruit Team - March 18, 2020
IMPORTANT NOTE FROM OUR TEAM: Cornell Cooperative Extension's Lake Ontario Fruit Program prioritizes the health, safety, and well-being of our staff, constituents, and community members. Given the uncertainty surrounding the rapidly-changing COVID-19 situation, many of our upcoming
events have been cancelled or postponed for the next 30 days. This includes on-site farm visits and consultations. Our
specialists are working from home and will still be available to help you via phone, zoom or email and we will resume our regular programming as soon as we can. Stay up to date on all of our program offerings by visiting our
website or contacting any of our team's specialists. We look forward to helping you manage your farm business during this time and hope that you and your family stay safe and healthy!
Quick contact guide:Craig Kahlke, Team Leader, Fruit Quality Management
Cell 585-735-5448,
cjk37@cornell.eduMario Miranda Sazo, Cultural Practices
Cell 315-719-1318,
mrm67@cornell.eduJanet van Zoeren, Integrated Pest Management
Cell 585-797-8368,
jev67@cornell.eduMark Wiltberger, Business Management
Cell 315-272-8530,
mw883@cornell.edu
Rapidly Changing Developments with Coronavirus
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:
https://www.cdc.gov/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/Novel Coronavirus Prevention & Control for Farms from Cornell Agricultural Workforce DevelopmentRichard Stup of Cornell Cooperative Extension's Agricultural Workforce Development program shares tips for farm employers in light of the COVID-19 crisis. Originally published
here. Farm Businesses should be prepared to handle any possible health or staffing issues and continue best management practices to ensure farm biosecurity.
Building Farm Resilience in this Crisis from Cornell Small Farms ProgramAnu Rangarajan, Director of the Cornell Small Farms Program, shares an important message for agricultural producers and ideas for caring for yourself, your farm, and your local community. "In times like these — when uncertainty upsets the daily rhythms of our communities — we agriculturists have the opportunity to tap into timeless rhythms of a new season and deliver on a call to action". Originally published
here.
To support you in this trying time, the Cornell Small Farms Program would like to offer you free access for any two of our online courses through the end of April. These learning opportunities can help build local food security during the COVID-19 pandemic, and beyond. They have set up a farm resilience resource page that brings together information and resources from our partners in CCE and other agencies, as well as learning opportunities to help you adapt for this season. They will also be hosting some themed farmer-to-farmer discussions starting next week. Stay tuned by ensuring you subscribe to our emails, or check their website and social channels often! Learn more:
https://smallfarms.cornell.edu/2020/03/offering-you-free-online-course-access/
Protecting Yourself & Loved Ones Financially from COVID-19The 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. The Attorney General of New York State has detailed information on Coronavirus resources and warnings on current consumer scams:
https://ag.ny.gov/FDA Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Briefing for Foods Stakeholders
March 17, 2020The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will host a stakeholder call on
Wednesday, March 18th at 3:45 p.m. ET to discuss food safety and food supply questions related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). FDA will provide an overview of current activities, respond to stakeholders' concerns identified in recent days, and highlight important FDA resources in response to COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr. Frank Yiannas, Deputy Commissioner, Office of Food Policy and Response; Mr. Michael Rogers, Assistant Commissioner for Human and Animal Food Operations, Office of Regulatory Affairs; and Dr. Susan Mayne, Director, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, will provide remarks on this topic.
Registration for the stakeholder call is not necessary.
The call will be recorded and
posted online.
Please find details below:
Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Time: 3:45 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. ET (please call-in by 3:40 p.m.)
Call-in Information: 888-989-8141, passcode: 3001967
If you have questions about the stakeholder call, please reach out to Janesia Robbs at
janesia.robbs@fda.hhs.gov.
Additional Information: Click on the links below:
Interim Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfection of Food Manufacturing Facilities or Food Retail Stores for COVID-19.The following link will take you to a
DRAFT pdf released by the NY Department of Health and NYS Ag & Markets regarding cleaning and disinfecting facilities and stores. Please take a moment to review this information. We will forward additional information as it become available.
Below is information from the NYSDEC on pesticides for COVID-19 in New York State. In addition to the protections the DEC lists, it should also be included that disinfectants must not be used on people; they are to be used only on the objects or items specified on the product label. Always follow the label directions when using any pesticide.
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pesticide InformationPesticide Use. Did You Know:
- Pesticide products used to disinfect surfaces or objects must first be registered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and then by DEC.
- 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.
- DEC has created a list of products registered in New York State that correspond to the list of products identified by EPA. This list is subject to change, so refer back.
Protection. Protect yourself and others by following label directions for product use information including:- Allowing the product to remain in contact on the surface for the prescribed length of time
- Adhering to the requirements by wearing the appropriate personal protection equipment that may be listed on the product label
Prevention. Arm yourself with knowledge. For more information related to COVID-19, please visit the following webpages:
Direct questions about pesticide products used in relation to COVID-19 to DEC's Pesticide Product Registration Section at 518-402-8768 or
ppr@dec.ny.gov. Other valuable websites for coronavirus education and updates:The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provides excellent resources at
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ and the New York State Department of Health is communicating via their dedicated site at
https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/.CCE NY EDEN (New York Extension Disaster Education Network) resources can be found at
https://eden.cce.cornell.edu/home/coronavirus-response/.
Are you a direct marketing farmer? The Farmers' Market Federation of New York (https://www.facebook.com/FMFNY/) has provided helpful information as NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets as this continues to develop. New York State has not imposed any travel restrictions and all industries essential to the food supply chain, including grocery stores, gas stations, retail food stores, food processors and related food businesses, etc., are exempt from the workforce reduction guidance issued today. Please see the guidance and exemptions here:
https://agriculture.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2020/03/essentialservicesexception.pdf. Please note that the mass gathering guidance does not apply to private businesses and retail food stores are also exempt from this guidance.
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:
www.sba.gov/local-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
Mental Health & Health:
This site will be the clearing house for updated information on COVID-19 from CCE and will be linked to our home page.
Winter Pruning Meetings CANCELLED
CCE prioritizes the health, safety and well-being of the communities we serve. Given the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, and due to an abundance of caution, the Pruning Workshops at both locations on March 23rd and 25th have been cancelled. However, the content will be videoed and the recording will be made available to all of our enrollees shortly thereafter. Look for an email with the information later next week or early the week of March 30.
In the next two weeks, we will start a new educational effort specifically designed to manage Honeycrisp in a critical year with a heavier bloom, such as this one. The first meetings, which will be run by Dr. Robinson (
March 23 in Wayne County and March 25 in Orleans County) will show growers and orchard employees how to implement precision pruning. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to learn to differentiate a vegetative bud from a floral bud by dissecting buds with a microscope.
Save the Date!
2020 Events - for details and registration info click on the event title of interest:
CCE prioritizes the health, safety and well-being of the communities we serve. Given the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, and due to an abundance of caution certain events will be cancelled. Please check back through out the week for any additional event cancellations.
18 & 20 Mar -CANCELLED - specific test areas of concern can be discussed via phone click event for more details- DEC Pesticide Applicator Pre-exam Coaching - Orleans County CCE, 12690 Rt 31, Albion - 8:30am-12:30pm - check back for more details
15 Jul - Cornell Fruit Field Day - Cornell AgriTech - more details to follow
Pollinator Resouces
Now available
Pollinator Resource Links Mario Miranda Sazo Recieves Award at IFTA Meeting
Check out the following article & photos that cover highlights of the annual IFTA meeting such as Mario Miranda Sazo receiving the Outstanding Extension Educator award.
SmartMarketing article "How 'bout Them Apples?"
For full article follow this link
https://dyson.cornell.edu/outreach/documents/smart-marketing-2018-09-2.pdfArticle: "Supplemental Coverage Option for Apples"
Supplemental Coverage Option for Apples - Should you add this endorsement to your apple crop insurance policy?
Elizabeth Higgins, Ag Business Management Specialist, ENYCH
For the full article click the link below.
