(GPC) — The Georgia Peanut Commission hosted a webinar discussion with U.S. Congressmen Sanford Bishop and Austin Scott. The congressmen discussed the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. CARES Act – Key Ag Provisions The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives moved quickly on the third relief legislation, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES …
Coronavirus Safety Fact Sheets for Workers
Author: E. Vanessa Campoverde, UF/IFAS (UF/IFAS) — I have received several questions regarding what to do if you have employees or work with others during this Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in agricultural operations and related businesses. While there is plenty of information about how the virus work, how to protect yourself and others, etc. I compiled some information (with images) that can …
Alabama Agriculture Remains Essential During Stay-Home Order
(ALFA) — Farmers and agricultural businesses will continue to serve Alabama residents under a stay-at-home order issued today by Gov. Kay Ivey. The order aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19 is effective Saturday at 5 p.m. and continues through April 30, unless extended. “My fellow Alabamians, I plead with you to do your part to stop the spread of …
Georgia Ag Commissioner Extends Farm Recovery Program Application Deadline
(GDA) — Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black announced that the Georgia Farm Recovery Block Grant application deadline is extended to April 30, 2020. “We recognize that normal business operations across the state have been disrupted or altered over the past few weeks,” said Commissioner Black. “We want every eligible producer to have an opportunity to complete their application with …
Commissioner Fried Encourages Florida Agriculture Businesses to Apply for Paycheck Protection Program
(FDACS) — Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is advising agriculture producers, farmers, ranchers, and other agriculture-related businesses to apply for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The program is part of the CARES Act, the $2 trillion federal coronavirus response package. “Florida agriculture is the backbone of our economy and a pillar of strength through …
Georgia Governor Kemp Orders State Wide Shelter in Place Order
(GAC) — Governor Brian P. Kemp issued a shelter in place order for the state of Georgia. The order will be effective beginning Friday, April 3rd, at 6:00 PM and expire Monday, April 13th, at 11:59 PM. GAC staff have advocated for several weeks to ensure that all sectors of Georgia’s agribusiness industry, including farms, manufacturing, fertilizer, seed, ag retail, landscape, turf …
Coronavirus Impact Ripples Across Farm Country
(AFBF) — From dairy farmers with nowhere to send their milk and cattle ranchers reeling from plummeting beef prices, the impact of the coronavirus is rippling through farm country. Corn, cotton and soybean futures have tumbled, ethanol plants have been idled, and some fruit and vegetable farmers are finding their best option is leaving produce in the field. Price forecasts …
Dairy Groups Ask USDA for Food Purchases, Dairy Farmer Relief
(NAFB) — A group of dairy organizations wrote a letter this week to Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue and asked the USDA to help the struggling dairy industry. They want the agency to use its extensive purchasing power given to it by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Security Act, to alleviate at least some of the stress on the U.S. dairy …
Agriculture Must Be Included in Disaster Loan Program
(AFBF) — Thirty-one agriculture organizations and businesses are calling on the U.S. Small Business Administration to include agricultural businesses in the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, as intended by Congress in the CARES Act. The notice on the SBA website currently states applicants must certify they are “not an agricultural enterprise (e.g., farm), other than an aquaculture enterprise, agricultural cooperative …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Guidance on Essential Food and Agriculture Workers During Stay-at-Home Order
(FDACS) — In response to the Governor issuing a stay-at-home order due to COVID-19, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried offered the following statement on the essential role of food and agriculture workers who are exempt from this order. This exemption is consistent with the Department of Homeland Security’s identification of essential critical infrastructure workers during COVID-19 response. “Agriculture is Florida’s second-largest industry, and it’s first-largest in …