As COVID-19 continues to affect many U.S. industries, Virginia farmers are taking extra precautions to protect the health and safety of their employees.

In accordance with health and safety measures being outlined by many U.S. agencies, Virginia farmowners are encouraging their employees to increase handwashing and sanitization practices to avoid falling ill. Additionally, farmworkers are being asked to limit their trips to crowded public places to help avoid inadvertently tracking the virus onto farms.

“Farmers are mindful of how quickly COVID-19 could devastate their businesses and communities, and even one case is too many on the farm,” said Ben Rowe, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation national affairs coordinator. “Fortunately, farmers are uniquely prepared to address the health and safety needs presented by this pandemic. Handwashing, sterilization biosecurity and hygiene training for farmworkers is already standard for U.S. farms to meet our nation’s strict food safety standards.”

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From supply chain interruptions to slowed revenue streams, farmers are facing myriad challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Markets that were previously profitable are now pinched as businesses and organizations modify their operations to comply with guidelines to stem the spread of COVID-19.

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Governor Ralph Northam today requested the General Assembly move the May General Election and all special elections scheduled for May 5, 2020 to the November 3, 2020 General Election date to further mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The Governor is also exercising his statutory authority (§ 24.2-603.1 of the Code of Virginia) to move the June primary elections from June 9, 2020 to June 23, 2020.

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Applications for the fifth cohort of the Virginia Agriculture Leaders Obtaining Results (VALOR) Program are due May 1, 2020.

The VALOR Program is designed to develop leaders who can effectively engage all segments of the Virginia agricultural community to create collaborative solutions and promote agriculture inside and outside the industry.  Adult participants will include individuals with a vested interest in the success of Virginia agriculture and leadership for the industry.

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Many livestock markets are temporarily modifying their weekly auction schedule in the wake of COVID-19. Please contact your local auction market regarding their sale schedules and market requirements. Contact information for livestock auction markets can be found at VDACS Livestock Auction Directory. For private seed stock sales, please contact the farm or livestock dealer for directly for details.

As of 4/7/20 the following livestock auctions have cancelled certain sales:

Tri-State Livestock Market in Abingdon will be closed on April 10

Farmers Livestock Exchange in Winchester will be closed until April 20

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has partnered with produce retailers and wholesalers to market Virginia Grown produce in local stores. To satisfy product demand and to assist any possible market disruptions, VDACS is asking for Virginia produce growers, who are Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certified, to register for this opportunity.

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This week brought a number of changes with COVID-19 and trying to stop its spread. We wanted to remind you that we have continued to work on updating the Farmer Resource page on the Virginia Farm Bureau website. You can access it here: https://www.vafb.com/FarmerResources

Here are some of the highlights of what we have updated:

Agriculture Labor Tab:
• Letters for workers or farmers to carry when traveling in North Carolina and Maryland. You still do not need a letter to travel in Virginia. We have also posted the State Police guidance that they issued on April 1st.
• Looking for guidance with providing farm employees information: https://bit.ly/2UDJtFB Continue reading →

The State Fair of Virginia is inviting all crafters, quilters and others who create with textiles to help make face masks for health care professionals.

As Virginia faces a rise in COVID-19 cases, health care workers and facilities across the state are grappling with the respirator and face mask shortage affecting the entire nation.

Responding to local demand and the growing movement to make homemade face masks to support health care providers, fair organizers are asking its community of crafters to start sewing.

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Walker, Umbarger, Isom

Recognizing the agricultural contributions and achievements of its members, the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Leadership Committee announced its annual recognition and district award winners on March 27.

Dr. Martha Walker of Pittsylvania County was named the 2020 Outstanding Woman in Agriculture; Courtney Umbarger of Smyth County was named 2020 Distinguished Farm Bureau Woman; and Shelby Isom of Grayson County was named 2020 Farm Bureau Ambassador.

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Stefanie Kitchen, Assistant Director, Governmental Relations

With COVID-19 restrictions in place, many farmers are turning to direct marketing for new revenue streams. Given the uncertainty of the times, it is a good idea to be extra vigilant about farm security. While there are no reports of such activity in Virginia at this time, California and other states have seen animal activists trespassing on farms as part of a campaign to blame animal agriculture for the coronavirus pandemic. In addition, direct marketing operations in other states have seen increased instances of looting. Here are a few farm security measures to keep in mind:

• Keep an eye out for suspicious activity. If you feel like you may be a target, notify law enforcement immediately.
• Have a security plan or crisis management plan in place ahead of time, and prepare your family and employees to handle a situation.
• Know where all possible points of entry are.
• Maintain basic security: lock doors, gates, and cabinets; have proper lighting, alarms and cameras; post signs for restricted areas and no trespassing.
• Establish check-in procedures for visitors at your farm and ensure all employees and family members know the steps to follow if a visitor shows up. Escort visitors at all times. 

Source: Animal Agriculture Alliance

For additional farm security tips and resources, contact Stefanie Kitchen at stefanie.kitchen@vafb.com.