The newly-confirmed Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, is already busy trying to help rural areas of the country get through the Covid-19 pandemic. According to a story from Stephanie Ho, Vilsack said his first priority is working to contain the pandemic. Vilsack announced the $42 million will go towards grants to help rural communities, healthcare centers, and schools through their …
CFAP Application Deadline Extended
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it has extended the deadline to apply for the latest round of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). The original deadline was today, Feb. 26. But according to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, the new deadline will extend 30 days after USDA completes a review of the program. USDA had suspended processing and payments …
AFBF: Farmers Need More Time to Apply for CFAP
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is asking the USDA to extend the deadline to apply for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). Last month, an additional $13 billion in assistance was made available to help farmers and ranchers who are suffering losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the current deadline is Friday, Feb. 26, recent severe weather and …
Fried & FDACS Launch Bilingual Farmworker Vaccine Education Campaign
With the COVID-19 vaccine becoming available for at-risk populations in Florida, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services launched a bilingual vaccine education campaign to encourage COVID-19 vaccination among Florida’s farmworkers and agriculture community. A recent study found that food and agricultural workers are among those most at risk of death from COVID-19, facing a 39 percent increase in excess …
USDA, FDA Offer Update on Transmission of COVID-19 Through Food or Food Packaging
The following statement about COVID-19 and its impact through food or food packaging can be attributed to Acting USDA Secretary Kevin Shea and Acting FDA Commission Janet Woodcock: After more than a year since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak was declared a global health emergency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the U.S. …
Expanding Retail Presence of U.S. Pork and Beef in Colombia
2020 was a difficult year for U.S. red meat exports to Colombia, where COVID-19 took a major toll on meat demand and consumer spending. With demand expected to rebound this year, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is looking to expand the retail presence of U.S. pork and beef in Colombia. Joe Schuele has more details. According to USMEF, last year U.S. …
Ag Workers Among Those Most at Risk to COVID-19 Death
A new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that food-service, agricultural, and construction workers were among the most at-risk for dying from exposure to COVID-19. The study points out high-density workplaces in any industry are possibly high risk. The close proximity of employees in high-density workplaces creates a high risk for transmission of coronavirus disease. The …
Alabama Row Crop Specialists Share Expertise Virtually
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, scientists with Auburn University’s College of Agriculture and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System continue to share their expertise with Southern row crop production. According to an article written by Paul Hollis with Auburn University, these researchers and specialists, along with others from throughout the nation, usually present their findings from the most recent production season during …
Dairy Farmers Guide to the Covid-19 Vaccine Rollout
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented numerous challenges for U.S. dairy farmers, who remain committed to implementing CDC-recommended workforce best practices to prevent and control the spread of coronavirus on farms. Access to safe and highly effective vaccines will give the dairy workforce and their families an added layer of protection against COVID-19. The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) knows vaccinating essential …
COVID-19 Assistance Package Includes Provisions from Stabenow
The COVID-19 Assistance Package includes provisions supported by Senate Agriculture Chair Debbie Stabenow. Stabenow says, “We need to take bold action to get farmers, families and rural communities the help they need to weather this crisis and come out stronger on the other end.” The Michigan Democrat worked with House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott from Georgia and House Education …