ESCONDIDO GRAPEVINE – During a webinar last week aimed at helping farmers find solutions to market instability created by the pandemic, Evan Wiig of the Community Alliance with Family Farmers […]
COMSTOCK — Local farmers work hard to respond and adapt to the coronavirus pandemic. As the coronavirus pandemic has upended the U.S. economy, farmers are trying to figure out how […]
On 4/8/20 CAFF gave a webinar answering dozens of questions on on-farm food safety related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Judith Redmond from Full Belly Farm shared some tips and other […]
Davis, CA – Debido a los desafíos apremiantes que enfrentan los agricultores de California como resultado de Covid-19, Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) está lanzando un nuevo fondo hoy […]
Updated 4/10/20 (we will continue to update this document as new developments unfold and as new information is released) CARES Federal programs In the face of our public health crisis […]
Given the pressing challenges facing California farmers as a result of Covid-19, Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) is launching a new fund today to support those farmers most impacted […]
A direct pipeline to chefs that took decades to build has been cut off by the coronavirus, leaving small farmers and ranchers with food they can’t sell.
Farmers are seeing produce rot in fields and dairy wash down drains as they rush to find areas of demand and prevent closures. Billions of dollars worth of food is […]
(Updated April 8, 2020) USDA Rural Development has taken a number of immediate actions to help rural residents, businesses and communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Rural Development will keep […]
Hola campesinos y compradores, En respuesta a las interrupciones en nuestro suministro y demanda de alimentos locales debido a COVID-19, CAFF está creando una lista de productores y compradores, para […]
CAFF has created a new resource for farmers that have Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) pick up locations. The guide has tips for farmers and a sign that farmers could post […]
CAFF has created a new resource to help farmers prepare for possible labor shortages due to COVID-19. The first page of this resource is a flowchart that helps farmers determine […]
AG ALERT – Loss of business due to mass closures of restaurants, schools and corporate cafeterias in response to COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders has small farms looking to collaborate as they […]
In this episode, we discuss the legal mechanics of online sales platforms and CSA agreements as part of special coverage on COVID-19’s effects on farm businesses with Sarah Vaile, Farm Commons’ Staff […]
Assistance from federal programs can make a world of difference for farmers after a disaster. The next few pages outline current disaster programs, all of which are available to farmers.
By: Kali Feiereisel, MPH Senior Manager, Farmer Services Last updated: April 7th, 2020 We realize this is a time of great uncertainty and anxiety. Hopefully this blog post can […]
Updated April 5: California employers are required to establish and implement an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) to protect employees from all worksite hazards, including infectious diseases. This guidance […]
In this episode, we explore the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and the Emergency Family Medical Leave Act, together known as the Families First Act. We unpack each act’s paid […]
IMPORTANT: Several CA counties have amended their Heath Orders and now require Essential Businesses (farms, farmers markets, etc.) to limit the number of people in the facility at any one […]
Wednesday, April 8 from 10-11 a.m. CDFA partners with CA Association of Food Banks to provide resources and information to farmers, ranchers and food processors.
Letter to Secretary of Agriculture Perdue requesting relief for farmers and ranchers suffering market losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Has your representative signed? If not, tell them to sign […]
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. The […]
Maintain a Healthy Workforce. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Individuals infected with COVID-19 and those exhibiting any of these symptoms should not […]
What if I have to lay off workers due to slowdowns in my business? Under the recently passed coronavirus relief package (aka “CARES Act”), a new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program […]
Essential businesses, including farms, will be required to develop a social distancing protocol before April 3. Currently this applies only to six Bay Area counties, but there’s a good chance […]
Need help resolving farm and business-related disputes? Free service from Dept. of Ag. with an impartial person to assist parties negotiate differences…
The Paycheck Protection Program prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by directing $349 billion towards job retention and business operating expenses.
Mini-grants of up to $500 for crisis-affected livestock and poultry farmers for materials, services or equipment that would help them to transition to an online or alternative sales strategy or […]
In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories are eligible to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up […]
If you have suffered substantial economic injury and are one of the following types of businesses located in a declared disaster area, you may be eligible for an SBA Economic Injury […]
Need help navigating through the chaos COVID-19? This Guide from the U.S. Small Business Development Center is here to help, from loans to labor to answering questions regarding how your […]
Join us for a free webinar series designed to help California family farmers and ranchers adapt, stay informed and keep our local food system going strong. Learn from fellow producers […]
As farmers and communities all across the country continue to deal with the impacts of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Congress has been working around the clock to pass another round […]
If you are experiencing difficulties with your finances, FarmLink is here for you! To help farmers and ranchers withstand a loss of income and other business interruptions, they offer many […]
To minimize the demand on NIOSH-certified N95 filtering respirators (commonly called “N95 respirators”) during the COVID-19 pandemic, this document discusses the option of limited reuse of N95 respirators. This document […]
Best practices and steps for farm managers. Employees should use gloves when handling money, or considering using cards to limit transfer of cash. If money is handled, hands should be […]
Simple one-pager: steps for farm stand operators. Communicate with customers through signs or social media asking them to stay home if displaying symptoms. Provide hand sanitizer at the front of […]
Webinar: Apr 2, 2020 at 9AM. Topics will include: setting up an online store, different web platforms, accepting payments, updating inventory, meat selection, subscriptions versus ala-carte orders, boxes, insulation, dry […]
USDA Service Centers are open for business by phone appointment only. Farm loans; Disaster assistance programs, Safety net programs, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is relaxing the loan-making process and adding […]
Watch this webinar to learn more about direct-to-consumer online sales platforms. Hear from representatives from four online food sales platforms: Barn2Door, Harvie, Local Food Marketplace, Food4All, Open Food Network…
AFT’s Farmer Relief Fund will award farmers with cash grants of up to $1,000 each to help them weather the current storm of market disruptions caused by the coronavirus crisis.
What if you or members of your crew get sick? Use this template, combining standard operations procedures with emergency planning to help keep your farm going when unexpected events happen.
As COVID19 is is rapidly changing, we will also update this guide. Please check back frequently for tips, best practices, communication, signs and alternative market models, such as Drive Thru […]
Washington, DC – Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), a nonprofit organization that serves small- and mid-scale farmers in California, issued the following statement from Policy Director Dave Runsten in […]
This April, sign up to access this free online course exploring design principles that make a wash and pack station not only compliant with regulations but also facilitate an efficient […]
Are you in need of support to help sell, buy, or otherwise distribute local food in California as a result of impacts caused by COVID-19? Fill out this form and […]
They are creating new means of food distribution amid coronavirus closures and farmers’ market shutdowns. San Diego farmers devised inventive ways to get their produce to customers last week, as […]
The global COVID-19 pandemic is touching every part of our lives, including food and agriculture. Necessary measures to contain the spread of the virus have resulted in the immediate loss […]
Please use the below form to list any current or anticipated supply shortfalls that cannot be resolved through your procurement systems. Recognizing that farms are part of the State’s critical […]
On March 19th, Gov. Newsom issued an executive order directing California residents to “Shelter-In-Place.” However, Gov. Newsom’s order allows people employed in critical jobs like food production to move freely […]
With COVID-19 rapidly evolving, we at CAFF are actively compiling CSA-specific tools and information to help farmers adapt, stay safe and continue to provide healthy food for their local communities…
The North Berkeley Farmers’ Market was surprisingly bustling on Thursday afternoon, with farmers hawking petite cone cabbages, oyster mushrooms and golden beets. Hand sanitizer and handwashing stations greeted people upon […]
While the Trump administration prioritizes bailouts for airlines and other big businesses, it’s an imperative to support the family farms that put food on our plates. That’s why groups representing farmers […]
Most cities and counties in California have deemed farmers markets as “essential services. With the COVID-19 outbreak spreading and shelter-in-place orders coming down across the state, we at CAFF are […]
Is your farmers market closed because of COVID-19? Use this template letter to urge your local government to reopen the market, recognizing it as an essential business keeping your community […]
A policy update from CAFF’s advocacy coalition in D.C., the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition: The rapidly developing COVID-19 pandemic is already causing significant impacts across the entirety of our US […]
What Can Consumers Do During the COVID-19 Crisis to Support Family Farms & Our Local Food System? While confusion abounds during this ever-developing COVID-19 crisis, one thing is clear: a […]
This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will update this interim guidance as needed […]
In communities nationwide, farmers and market managers are making the case for continuing to sell local food with precautions in place against COVID-19. At the downtown Berkeley Farmers’ Market last […]
SELLING DIRECT & ONLINE DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS In the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, many farmers are being forced to reconsider their sales outlets. While there may be no […]
Today California officials issued guidance regarding retail food, beverage and other service venues. These venues bring people from multiple communities into close contact with each other and have the potential […]
CORONAVIRUS & CA FARMERS MARKETS As the full affects of Covid-19 continue unfolding, we at CAFF are watching closely to find out how this pandemic will impact California family farmers […]
For Immediate Release: March 15, 2020 Sacramento, CA – Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), a nonprofit organization that serves small- and mid-scale farmers in California, issued the following statement […]