COVID-19

COVID-19 disruptions to food supply chains webinar topic

A multi-region, multi-institution research and outreach team investigating the impact of COVID-19 on food and agricultural systems will host a free webinar those engaged in the food supply chain at any level. The webinar will... more »

COVID-19 challenges addressed with Fusionware ‘no-touch’ system

The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic is the kind of “black swan” event that is disrupting countless aspects of business and life around the world, and the produce supply chain is not exempt. According to a news... more »

Produce sales conclude tumultuous 2020 with solid gains

November and December sales were dominated by the holidays along with the consumers’ response to rapidly rising new COVID-19 cases across many states. Some states and cities enacted renewed shelter-in-place mandates which impacted grocery retailing... more »

COVID-19 emergency rules spur response from Washington ag groups

As farmers across Washington state prepare for the first wave of nearly 15,000 guest workers to arrive in the first quarter of 2021, leading agricultural groups are appealing recently renewed state COVID-19 emergency rules to... more »

New COVID-19 travel rules could hurt Canada’s greenhouse industry

New COVID-19 testing requirements for travelers entering Canada could hinder more than would-be pandemic tourists. They could also leave tomato, pepper, and other greenhouse vegetable farmers in British Columbia scrambling for workers. According to YahooNews,... more »

USDA urged to allocate specific funding to protect essential ag workers

Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley), Jim Costa (CA-16), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), and Fred Upton (MI-06) led 70 colleagues in a bipartisan letter sent Jan. 11 to the USDA urging... more »

Employers are no longer obligated to provide FFRCA leave

After much heated negotiation in passing Stimulus 2.0, Congress reached a compromise on employee COVID-19 leave, allowing the leave requirements of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) to expire on Dec.31, 2020, but continuing tax... more »

New round of Farmers to Families Food Box Program announced

The USDA will purchase an additional $1.5 billion worth of food for nationwide distribution through the Farmers to Families Food Box Program, according to a Jan. 4 announcement. In total, USDA has distributed more than... more »

New Vermont grant funds food access for Latinx farmworkers

University of Vermont Extension recently received a $62,469 grant to support food security for the Latinx migrant farmworker community in Vermont. The grant from Shaw's Nourishing Neighbors Community Relief Initiative will be used to facilitate... more »

Pesticide applicator credentials in Michigan extended until June

A new emergency rule filed on Dec. 30 by Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Gary McDowell extended pesticide applicator credential expiration dates as part of the state’s continued COVID-19 response. Applicators... more »

Current Issue

VGN April Cover

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60 years of advocating for agricultural employers

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