COVID-19
Deadline extended for certified organic, transitioning operations’ pandemic funds
The USDA has extended the deadline for agricultural producers who are certified organic, or transitioning to organic, to apply for the Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP). This program provides pandemic assistance to cover certification and education... more »
COVID-19 having long-term effects on agriculture industry, speakers say
While the global health pandemic had a devastating impact on international trade in 2020, there may be a silver lining. For the first time, policymakers now view the agriculture industry as national security. Speaking at... more »
Free consulting, GAP audit reimbursement set for Washington small specialty crop farms
The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is now accepting applications for a new bilingual program offered to help small, specialty crop farms forced to adjust in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to a... more »
Farm and Food Workers Relief grant program applications accepted
The USDA announced Nov. 11 that it is accepting applications for the new Farm and Food Workers Relief grant program first announced on Sept. 7, 2021. The program will provide $665 million to fund competitive... more »
Pandemic Response and Safety Grant Program application period opens
The USDA announced Oct. 14 a Request for Applications (RFA) for the new Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) Grant program and encourages eligible entities to apply now for funds. Applications must be submitted electronically through the grant... more »
Deadline for CFAP 2 applications, modifications set for Oct. 12 by USDA
USDA is updating the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) for contract producers of eligible livestock and poultry and producers of specialty crops and other sales-based commodities. CFAP 2, which assists producers who faced... more »
Accountability office’s USDA Food Box Program report gets United Fresh response
USDA Food Box Program: Key Information and Opportunities to Better Assess Performance,” released this week, sheds additional light on the program which delivered more than 176 million boxes of food from May 2020 to June... more »
Farm and food workers impacted by COVID-19 to get $700M in grants
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Sept. 7 that $700 million in competitive grant funding will be available through the new Farm and Food Workers Relief grant program to help farmworkers and meatpacking workers with... more »
Migrant housing emergency rules continued in Michigan
On Aug. 31, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Gary McDowell issued a continuation of the Pandemic Public Health Measures in Migrant Agricultural Worker Housing Emergency rules through the end of the 2021... more »
Pandemic assistance for specialty crop growers, others updated by USDA
The USDA is updating the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) for contract producers of eligible livestock and poultry and producers of specialty crops and other sales-based commodities. CFAP 2, which assists producers who... more »
