UF/IFAS, FDACS seek help in spreading the word on COVID-19 testing to Florida agricultural workers

Dan Florida, Industry News Release, Labor and Immigration

agricultural workers
Photo credit: Jeff Wasielewski
Commercial Tropical Fruit Extension Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County

(UF/IFAS) — The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension (UF/IFAS) and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) encourage as many agricultural workers as possible to be tested for COVID-19. 

Farmworkers will have access to numerous no-cost COVID-19 testing events in some of Florida’s top agricultural counties. Below is a list of upcoming sites. Support for these tests is provided in part by FDACS, FDEM and county governments. Testing services will continue as funding, demand and availability allow. 

Click on the following link to hear and download the PSA: Spanish-Language Radio PSA.  Covid19 remains a great threat in our communities and in these times of uncertainty, keeping our families healthy is important.

FDACS Commissioner Nikki Fried announced the testing partnership’s launch on October 1. Earlier this year, Fried recommended to the governor that farmworkers be provided with COVID-19 testing to help reduce the virus’ spread among workers and in the community.

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Here are the times, dates, and addresses of the places to get tested:

Hendry County 

  • Barron Library – 461 N. Main St., LaBelle

Date:  November 9

Times:  9 a.m. to noon

  • Hendry County Health Dept. – 1100 S. Olympia, Clewiston

 Date:  November 9

Times:  1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m

Hillsborough County 

  • San Jose Mission (migrant labor camp), 13524 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, Dover 

Dates:?Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays 
Times:?5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Wednesdays and Thursdays), 10 a.m. to noon (Saturdays) 

Miami-Dade County 

  • Centro Campesino, 35801 SW 186th Ave., Homestead

Dates:  November 14 and 21, and December 5 
Times:?10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

St. Lucie County 

  • St. Lucie County Fairgrounds – 15601 Midway Road, Fort Pierce

Dates:  November 17,18, 19

Times:? 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.    (Note: Agricultural workers will receive a grocery gift.)

Collier County 

  • 3339 East Tamiami Trail, Naples

Dates: Monday – Friday – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Please call  239-252-6220.

  • Winn Dixie Mall, Immokalee.

Monday to Friday – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Please call 239-252-6220.

  • Testing at Sun-N-Fun Lagoon: 15000 Livingston Road, Naples.

Dates: Wednesdays and Fridays

Times: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

UPDATE: Additional County Farmworker COVID-19 Testing Availability

(FDACS) — Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) are announcing additional COVID-19 testing sites in Miami-Dade, Hendry, and St. Lucie County for farmworkers as the fall harvest season begins. The ongoing efforts to provide access to testing for farmworkers is part of a partnership with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), and local county governments.

“As the pandemic continues, we’re continuing our work to provide farmworkers with access to COVID-19 testing,” stated Commissioner Nikki Fried. “FDACS is proud to partner with the Florida Division of Emergency Management, UF/IFAS, and local governments to provide COVID-19 testing and resources to protect farmworkers and our state’s food supply. We’re also appreciative of the important work that county governments, like Collier County, are engaging in to protect agricultural workers in their community.”

Background: Farmworkers will have access to numerous no-cost COVID-19 testing events in some of Florida’s top agricultural counties. Support for these tests is provided in part by FDACS, FDEM, and county governments. Testing services will continue as funding, demand, and availability allow. Commissioner Fried announced the testing partnership’s launch on October 1. Earlier this year, Fried recommended to the Governor that farmworkers be provided with COVID-19 testing to help reduce the virus’ spread among workers and in the community.

The full report “Recommendations to the Re-Open Florida Task Force from Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried” may be downloaded here.

Additional Testing Sites:

St. Lucie County — Fort Pierce

Dates: November 17-19

Times: 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Location: St. Lucie County Fairgrounds, 15601 W. Midway Rd., Fort Pierce, FL 34945

Questions: (772) 462-1660

Flyer: Available for download here

Hendry County — Clewiston

Dates: November 9

Times: 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM

Location: Hendry County Health Department, 1100 South Olympia Ave., Clewiston, FL 33440

Flyer: Available for download here

Hendry County — LaBelle

Dates: November 9

Times: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Location: Barron Library, 461 N. Main St., LaBelle, FL 33935 

Flyer: Available for download here

Hendry County — Moore Haven

Dates: November 10

Times: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Location: 998 US 27, Moore Haven, FL 33471 

Flyer: Available for download here

Miami-Dade County — Homestead

Dates: November 14 and 21, December 5

Times: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Location: Centro Campesino, 35801 SW 186th Ave., Homestead, FL 33034

Questions: (786) 746-7887

Flyer: Available for download here

Collier County Operated Testing Sites: Collier County is operating five testing sites and has been offering testing for farmworkers throughout the pandemic. FDACS has remained in communication with Collier County in the event of increased needs and stands ready to help provide additional resources.

Collier County — Immokalee

Dates: Every Sunday and Monday during November. Closed November 29.

Times: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Location: Winn Dixie Mall, 1500 Lake Trafford Rd., Immokalee, FL 34142 

Flyer: Available for download here

Collier County — Immokalee

Dates: November 10 and 24

Times: 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Location: Misión Peniel, 208 Boston Ave., Immokalee, FL 34142

Flyer: Available for download here

Collier County — Immokalee

Dates: November 14

Times: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Location: Farm Workers Village, 1800 Farm Worker Way, Immokalee, FL 34142 

Flyer: Available for download here

Collier County — Immokalee

Dates: November 17

Times: 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Location: Immokalee South Park, 418 School Dr., Immokalee, FL 34142

Flyer: Available for download here

Collier County — Immokalee

Dates: November 21

Times: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Location: Little League Park, 1213 Little League Rd., Immokalee, FL 34142

Flyer: Available for download here

FOR MORE INFORMATION: To find free test sites in your area, call the department of agriculture and consumer services at 1-800-HELP-FLA, and for Spanish speakers 1-800-FL-AYUDA (1-800-352-9832) .

What to Know: Testing will be free for employers, farmworkers, and their families. Testing sites will be open for walk-up services and appointments, and mobile testing for groups may be available in certain counties. Individuals will be required to wear face masks and provide a name, date of birth, and phone number. Results will generally be available in 36 hours, and will be shared with the individual tested or someone they designate.

Outreach Materials: A printable flyer for the testing program may be downloaded here in Englishhere in Spanish, and here in Creole. Additional county-specific flyers are available below.

Spanish-language radio PSA will air in participating counties.

Spanish-language video is available for viewing below.

Source: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences