A Message from AFBF President Zippy Duvall
Farmers and ranchers are committed to rising every day to grow the food we all depend on. But we can’t do that work alone. It takes all of us safely working across the supply chain from the workers harvesting crops to the grocery store employees stocking shelves.
Times like these remind us all of the importance of ensuring our nation’s food security, and we want to assure Americans that agriculture remains on call 24/7. I am reminded of and grateful for the tireless hours farmers and ranchers put in all year long to supply healthy, affordable food to be processed and packaged so stores can restock shelves, produce bins, and meat and dairy cases.
Like you, I am praying for an end to this pandemic. I also have faith that great stories of service, of neighbors helping neighbors and communities working together to protect one another will shine brightly across this country.
Latest Updates
Lessons from COVID-19
One of the best things our government can do to help kickstart the farm economy is commit to long-range policies. We’ve had enough uncertainty. It will take time to re-establish supply chains and markets. We need a clear, sustained focus on stimulating economic growth.
Americans Support COVID-19 Aid to Farmers; Trust Remains High
Trust in America’s farmers and ranchers remains high amid the devastating blow delivered by the COVID-19 pandemic. A new American Farm Bureau Federation poll shows 84% of Americans trust the nation’s farmers and the same overwhelming majority support financial assistance from the government for farmers struggling to keep from going under because of the pandemic.
Worker Safety is Top Concern for Washington Farmer
From mandatory masks and sanitization of facilities to social distancing and regular self-checks, farmers, like Washington Bulb Company’s Polly Welch, are putting their employees’ wellness front and center during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Challenges and Opportunities of Improving a Critical Link of the Ag Supply Chain
Rural roads’ significant deficiencies have created many challenges -- and opportunities -- to improving the efficiency of the agricultural supply chain. However, America’s ability to address its rural transportation challenges is threatened by a significant decrease in state transportation revenues due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an existing backlog of surface transportation projects and the continued need for regulatory flexibility.
View our full coverage of the impact of COVID-19 on agriculture here.
#StillFarming
Whether they’re readying the soil for spring planting, tending to crops that have already sprouted, feeding and milking their dairy cows or looking after their cattle, chickens and pigs, farmers and ranchers take very seriously their commitment to fill grocery store shelves with safe, affordable food.
Search #StillFarming on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to find hundreds of posts from farmers and ranchers like the ones featured here.
Farm Resources
Below are resources and communications tools to help farmers and their employees continue to work safely and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in rural communities. Please contact your local Farm Bureau for up-to-date guidance and state-specific resources.
- Agriculture Workers and Employers Interim Guidance – CDC and DOL
- Ag Worker and Worksite Safety Resources – University of California, Davis
- Guidance for Farms and On-Farm Deliveries – Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
- Protective Measures for U-Pick Farms – South Carolina Farm Bureau
- Coronavirus Prevention & Control for Farms – Cornell University
- Coping with Stress in the Ag Community – Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
- Coping with a Disaster or Traumatic Event – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Template Email for Farm Employees – Michigan Farm Bureau
- Need for Travel for Critical Infrastructure Worker – Michigan Farm Bureau
- COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide – USDA
- H-2A Resources and Worker Availability – USDA
- Safety Guidance for Meat and Poultry Processing Workers and Employers – CDC
- Guidance for Livestock Markets – Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
- Information on coronavirus and how to slow the spread – CDC
- State-by-state information on trucking restrictions – American Trucking Association
- Questions regarding COVID-19 impact on agriculture labor visas:
AgLabor@usda.gov - Questions regarding feeding children impacted by COVID-19:
FeedingKids@usda.gov - Questions regarding impacts on America’s food supply chain:
FoodSupplyChain@usda.gov
