vilsack

FDACS Update: Additional County Farmworker COVID-19 Testing Availability

Dan Coronavirus, Florida, Industry News Release

Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) are announcing additional COVID-19 testing sites and dates in Miami-Dade, Hendry, Collier, Hillsborough, and Glades County for farmworkers. The ongoing efforts to provide access to testing for farmworkers is in 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 remains a major health threat, we’re continuing our work to provide …

gfvga

GFVGA Announces COVID-19 Handbook for Georgia Ag Laborers

Dan Coronavirus, Education, Georgia, Industry News Release

(GFVGA) — The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, GFVGA, in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Public Health, Georgia Department of Agriculture and the University of Georgia Extension, has developed a practical and comprehensive COVID-19 handbook for growers and farm labor contractors in the specialty crop industry. Written specifically for Georgia growers, Protecting Yourself Against the Coronavirus, focuses on maintaining a safe and healthy …

fmcsa

FMCSA Extends Hours of Service Waivers into 2021

Dan Coronavirus, Labor and Immigration

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently made another announcement related to Hours-of-Service (HOS). The FMCSA has issued an extended and expanded national emergency declaration in response to the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency. Another round of HOS waivers has been issued to help ensure the timely delivery of necessary items. The previous extension of …

Chicken: The No. 1 COVID-19 Protein

Clint Thompson Coronavirus, Poultry

As Americans cooked more food in their homes than they had before over the past year, chicken became the top choice for a healthy and convenient protein that the entire family can enjoy. Approximately 75% of Americans who eat chicken say they make it at home at least once a week. During the past nine months of COVID-19, retail chicken …

alabama farmers

Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 for Livestock Producers

Dan Cattle, Coronavirus, Economy, Livestock

USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) continues to provide direct relief to producers who are facing market disruptions and associated costs due to Covid-19. And payments through the program are available for a variety of eligible livestock producers. Payments for beef cattle, hogs and pigs, along with lambs and sheep will be based on the maximum owned inventory of …

vilsack

More COVID-19 Tests for Florida Ag Workers

Dan Citrus, Coronavirus, Field Crops, Florida, Fruits, Labor and Immigration, Livestock, Nursery Crops, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services recently announced updates to COVID-19 testing sites in Hendry, Miami-Dade, Collier and St. Lucie counties for farmworkers. The effort to provide access to no-cost testing for farmworkers is part of a partnership with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, the Florida Division of Emergency Management and county governments.  Testing services will continue as …

fmmo

Dairy Industry Annual Meeting Notes Success Despite COVID-19

Dan Coronavirus, Dairy, Industry News Release

During a virtual annual meeting of dairy industry groups, Dairy Management Incorporated reflected on strategically adjusting business plans due to the impacts of COVID-19. They told farmers and industry representatives that this year’s results are due to industry unity, agility, and relentless relationship building. “The systems farmers have put in place work, and in normal times, we celebrate those successes,” …

More Than $7 Billion Already Paid Through CFAP 2

Clint Thompson Coronavirus

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced this week that in the first month of the application period, the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) approved more than $7 billion in payments to agricultural producers in the second round of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. CFAP 2 provides producers with financial assistance to help absorb some of the increased marketing costs …

fried

UPDATE: FDACS Announces Farmworker COVID-19 Testing Efforts

Clint Thompson Coronavirus, Florida

Tallahassee, Fla. – Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) are announcing additional COVID-19 testing sites for farmworkers in St. Lucie and Miami Dade County as the fall harvest season begins. The product 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, today’s announcement follows COVID-19 testing for farmworkers that was made available earlier …

covid coronavirus

Fashion and Textiles Industry Keen to Go Green Despite COVID Pandemic

Clint Thompson Coronavirus, Cotton

New research shows business leaders at top fashion, retail and textile businesses are putting sustainability drive first, despite COVID-19 pandemic Memphis — New research reveals the extent of the global fashion industry’s commitment to sustainability, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, with sustainability ranked as the second most important strategic objective for businesses in the sector[i]. The new research, from the U.S. …