Posts By: Cory Lunde
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Coronavirus Relief Resources for Business Owners
On April 1, UBS Financial Advisors issued a comprehensive summary of the COVID-19 relief programs contained in the recently-enacted CARES Act stimulus package. The programs are broken down into four buckets: Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Loans for Larger Businesses, and Tax Credits and Deferrals. Small businesses in the WG membership, ...
PPP Fix Passes Congress, Heads to President’s Desk
Late Wednesday, the Senate passed the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act, which had previously passed the House. The bill is now set for President Trump’s signature. This legislation amends several provisions of the PPP, the forgivable loan program designed to help small businesses keep their workers on the payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Payroll ...
CMTA Unveils PPE Web Portal
The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) is soft-launching the SafelyMakingCA.org web portal to connect employers across the state to California manufacturers making non-medical grade Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). While the initiative will be officially launching soon, the web portal is live and functioning, and WG members are encouraged to utilize the tool to find…
WG, Industry Letter Outlines Specialty Crop Priorities in COVID-19 Relief Package
Yesterday, Western Growers joined its partner associations in the California specialty crop industry in sending a letter to Congressmen Kevin McCarthy and Devin Nunes outlining industry funding priorities from the CARES Act relief package. The letter highlights three specific USDA program requests: direct payments to growers, a food purchase program and a PACA trust claim ...
USDA Announces CFAP Webinar for Specialty Crop Producers
On June 9, at 12:00 p.m. PT, USDA will host a webinar for specialty crop producers interested in learning more about the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) and how to submit additional commodities for USDA consideration through the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) process. The deadline to sign up for CFAP is August 28, 2020, ...
Ag Employer Crisis Management Briefing for WG Members
WG invites you to participate in an Ag Employer Crisis Management webinar for Western Growers members, presented by the Ag Labor Team at The Saqui Law Group. This webinar will take place on Thursday, April 9, 2020, from 2:00 – 3:00 PM. The topics covered during the webinar will include: Critical Infrastructure Ag Businesses under ...
Industry Releases COVID-19 Guidance for Produce Operations
Western Growers, United Fresh and the American Frozen Food Institute have teamed up to develop COVID-19 guidance for produce operations. This guidance document provides useful advice and recommendations to help farm owners and operators prepare for seasonal operations including onboarding of seasonal workers, field and facility procedures, and shared/communal housing and transportation to…
Congressman Panetta, 108 House Members Call on USDA to Provide Direct Support to Specialty Crop Producers
Today a bipartisan group of 108 members of the U.S. House of Representatives – led by Congressmen Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), Jim Costa (CA-16) and Doug LaMalfa (CA-01) – sent a letter to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue echoing the Produce Market Stabilization Program proposal presented by a coalition of produce organizations from across the country. The ...
Specialty Crops Receive Less Than 2% of USDA COVID-19 Direct Payment Program
Of the $1.4 billion in relief checks already provided to more than 80,000 farmers and ranchers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, less than $25 million (less than 2%) has been allocated to specialty crop producers. As part of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plans to provide $16 billion ...
SBA Releases Paycheck Protection Program Loans FAQs
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued additional guidance to address borrower and lender questions concerning the implementation of the Paycheck Protection Program, which was authorized in the CARES Act. Borrowers and lenders may rely on the guidance provided in this document as SBA’s interpretation of the program. In reviewing the FAQs, note that Question ...
Produce Industry Stakeholder COVID-19 Discussion Recording Now Available
On Tuesday, June 9, Western Growers, United Fresh Produce Association and the American Frozen Food Institute held an industry stakeholder discussion to review COVID-19 guidance for produce operations. Click here to access a recording of the call. The three organizations have teamed up to develop COVID-19 guidance for the produce industry, which is a companion ...
Colo. Department of Agriculture to Host Virtual Public Town Hall on April 9
As part of the ongoing effort to provide accurate and timely information to the Colorado agriculture industry, the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) will be hosting a virtual public town hall gathering this Thursday, April 9, from 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. CDA will update the industry on its latest work surrounding COVID-19 and answer ...
CFAP Direct Payment Program Fact Sheet Now Available
As part of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), USDA is making $16 billion in direct payments available for producers who have suffered a five-percent-or greater price decline due to COVID-19. Western Growers has summarized the key eligibility requirements, payment limitations and procedures for applying in a new CFAP Direct Payment Program Fact Sheet. Producers ...
WG Develops Procedure for Proper Use of Masks for Farm Workers
Based on new recommendations from the CDC and FDA, workers on farms, and in food production, processing and retail settings who do not typically wear masks as part of their jobs, could consider the use of a cloth face covering to slow the spread of COVID-19. Based on new recommendations from the CDC and FDA, ...
Resources for Seasonal Farmworker Housing
With peak season for many labor-intensive commodities quickly approaching, USDA has compiled a list of potential federal, state, and philanthropic alternative housing opportunities for seasonal farmworkers. Because farmworker housing is typically communal, which could increase the risk for spreading COVID-19, the federal government is gathering housing-related resources designed to protect…
Companies Providing Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for COVID-19
In order to connect industry growers, packers, storage facilities, and other agricultural entities with suppliers of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), CDFA is compiling a list of potential vendors. To the extent they can, CDFA is verifying the vendor on a surface level. However, because CDFA cannot fully vet the vendors, the buyer has an obligation ...
Specialty Crops Still Not Taking Advantage of USDA Direct Payments
As of June 15, USDA has allocated nearly $2.9 billion of $16 billion in direct payments as part of its Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). Specialty crops continue to lag other sectors of the agriculture industry, receiving just $53 million (1.8%) of the total funds spent to date. Furthermore, the specialty crop industry has only ...
Cal/OSHA Issues Guidance on COVID-19 Infection Prevention for Agriculture
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. Cal/OSHA has now released guidance for agricultural employers on how to update their IIPPs to include preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. This guidance does not introduce any ...
New CDC COVID-19 Resources Available
In addition to the Interim Guidance for Agriculture Workers and Employers recently released by the CDC and the U.S. Department of Labor, the CDC has made the following resources available for the agriculture industry. Agricultural Employer Checklist for Creating a COVID-19 Assessment and Control Plan To prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19, agricultural employers ...
Calif. Governor Newsom Issues Executive Order Extending Child Care Services for Essential Workers
Over the weekend, Calif. Governor Newsom issued an Executive Order to ensure that essential critical infrastructure workers can obtain necessary child care to continue working to assist the State’s response to COVID-19. The order allows for the reopening of state-subsidized before and after school childcare facilities. Essential workers will now have priority in arranging for ...