Source: NCDA&CS, 4/14/20
 

1. USDA’s Federal Rural Resource Guide (attached)

USDA has created a guide for those looking for funding or partnership opportunities, and you may find this useful.  USDA’s Federal Rural Resource Guide 

2. Please remember that we also have a page of state and federal financial resources for farmers and agribusinesses on our website.  You can find that page here. 

 3. This Friday April 17th at 11:00 am, there is a public webinar hosted by the NC Agromedicine Institute for an update/Q&A for the health and safety of Ag workers-with updates from NC DHHS and NC DOL. An agenda  and the joining information is below.  For questions about this webinar, please contact Robin Tutor Marcon at 919-880-4225 or tutorr@ecu.edu.  

Farm Health & Safety Considerations for COVID-19

Friday, April 17, 2020

11:00 am – 12 pm

Meeting number (access code): 478 206 062

Phone: 1-415-655-0003

Web: https://ecu.webex.com/ecu/j.php?MTID=m958eb56b36b530067d15047f53dac6cc

 AGENDA

We will limit the webinar to an hour allowing time at the end to answer questions. Here are the topics we'll be discussing:

NC Farmworker Health Program-DHHS

1. Emphasize how important the DHHS guidance is, especially having a COVID-19 preparedness plan

2. Encourage social distancing as much possible with sleeping quarters, transporting workers, working in the field, etc.

3. Establish daily monitoring of COVID-19 symptoms among the workers to identify a case quickly to contain an outbreak

4. Discuss the important role of outreach workers and how they can help growers keep their workers safe and healthy.

5. Discuss the importance of getting H2A workers enrolled in affordable health insurance through the marketplace upon arrival and before they get sick. Discuss where they can call to get assistance to enroll.

ASH-DOL

= Emphasize the importance of planning ahead, being prepared, and following DOL and DHHS guidance relative to migrant housing

= Emphasize the importance of communication with workers, local health department (per regulation), and with NCDOL

NC Agromedicine Institute

= Update on respirator medical clearance and fit testing requirements and availability of personal protective equipment for pesticide application & other on-farm uses

= Share information on grower surveys to determine needs for cleaning, sanitation, personal protective equipment and other supplies

= Share healthcare/insurance options for families/individuals that have lost insurance coverage due to lay offs

= Share farm stress resources (will be brief here as we're working on another opportunity with Callie)

This will be a lot to cover in an hour but we will provide contact information so folks can get in touch with us afterwards if they do not have their questions answered or have concerns arise afterwards.

Let me know if you have questions. Thanks again.