Jul 15, 2020

‘Protecting Essential Ag Business Operations, Employee Health’ forum topic

The fourth in a series of Penn State Extension grower forums on “Protecting Essential Agricultural Business Operations and Employee Health during COVID-19” will be held on July 30, 2020, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Secretary Russell Redding, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, and Sheri Morris, assistant director in the Bureau of Food Safety and Laboratory Services, will lead this forum on PDA’s guidance and support for workplace protection during COVID-19. They will discuss how, from the early days of COVID 19, the Department of Agriculture has worked in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control, and United States Department of Agriculture to ensure the ag/food industry is designated as life sustaining, continues to operate, and people are fed. The business and worker protection guidance proved to be critical to keeping commerce flowing and ag/food employers and their employees safe.

They will review how the department has incorporated a review of worker protection practices and mitigation measures during routine inspections and has offered recommendations for improvements based on best practices. The discussion will also include worker housing. As part of the Bureau of Food Safety’s permitting and inspection responsibilities of all Pennsylvania housing for agricultural workers, they worked in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry to communicate worker guidance requirements. Brook Duer, a Penn State Agricultural Law staff attorney who led a previous forum, will return as a Q&A panelist.

The webinar is offered at no cost, however registration is required to receive the webinar link. To register, visit here or call 877-345-0691.

There is the option to call into the session by phone to listen for those unable to access the internet.

Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding will take part in a July 30 growers forum. Photo: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture