Archive for March 2020
Small Business Resources
List of potential sources of relief funding from federal, state and local entities, compiled by the CA State Treasurer, updated regularly.
Unemployment Due to COVID-19
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 extends traditional unemployment benefits for an additional 13 weeks with
Six Bay Area counties extend stay-at-home order to May 3 with new guidelines
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 the state will adopt similar measures. We’ll keep you posted
CA Agricultural Mediation Program
Need help resolving farm and business-related disputes? Free service from Dept. of Ag. with an impartial person to assist parties negotiate differences…
Paycheck Protection Program
The Paycheck Protection Program prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by directing $349 billion towards job retention and business operating expenses.
Emergency Mini-grants for Livestock Farmers
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 for other projects that would help their farm business to
Economic Injury Disaster Loans
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 to $10,000.
Guide to COVID-19 Loans & forms
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 Disaster Loan (EIDL): › Small Business or Sole Proprietorship ›
COVID-19 Small Business Survival Guide
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 business can maximize the available help.
Farming During COVID: A Webinar Series on Adapting to Crisis
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 and from experts about the challenges facing our farms as
A Closer Look at Farmer Relief in Senate Pandemic Aid Package
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 of emergency aid – this time targeted at small businesses
CA FarmLink: Emergency Loans, Business Assistance & More
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 types of support…
Guidance for Limited Reuse of N95 Filtering Respirators in Agriculture
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 is intended for use by agricultural professionals to protect workers
COVID-19 FAQ for U-Pick Farms
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 washed or hand sanitizer should be used afterward.
COVID-19 FAQ for Farm Stands
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 the stand and near the cash box. Use signs to
Farm to Freezer: The Logistics of Online Sales & Shipping Meat
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 ice, maintaining cold chain, shipping carriers, costs, regulations. This will
FSA: Loans, Disaster assistance, Safety net programs
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 flexibilities for servicing direct and guaranteed loans to provide credit
Online Sales Platforms for Farmers (video)
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…
Farmer Relief Fund
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.
Farm Operational Continuity Template
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.
Farmers’ Market Response & Best Practices: COVID19
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 Market.
COVID19 Info & Resources for CA Immigrants
Resources and info on COVID19, including fact sheets in multiple languages. Insurance, health, rights, mutual aid and more.
Congress Steps Up to Support Family Farmers
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 response to the $9.5 billion in emergency funding meant to
Washing Station Matters for Small Farms: Free Online Mini-Course
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 workflow to save time and labor.
Sign Up for Buyer/Seller Support: COVID-19
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 someone from CAFF will try to help make connections to
San Diego farmers find new models for marketing food
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 they struggled with confusing information on the status of farmers’
Tell Congress: Support Family Farms & Local Food During COVID-19 Crisis!
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 of key markets for growers, as ongoing uncertainty threatens farmers’
Farm Industry Critical Needs projection
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 infrastructure, we are trying to gather data and prepare to
Employee Transit Letter
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 to go to work, come home, and otherwise travel as
CSA Tools & Resources During COVID19
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…
Farmers’ markets open during coronavirus outbreak. But farmers’ livelihoods remain uncertain
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 arrival. Shoppers stood on chalked blue arrows to ensure a
Coronavirus Aid Must Help Farmers Keep Foothold in Local Food Economies
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 and farmers markets nationwide are telling Congress they need to be included in
RoadWarrior
Navigation software to make deliveries more efficient, taking into account traffic, drop-off priorities, school zones, tolls, one way trips, and more.
Kabbage
Through Kabbage Payments, any business can sign up to sell gift certificates online, and anyone can purchase them to support participating small businesses. Once registered, businesses can send a custom link to their customers
Farmers Markets & Farming During COVID-19: How Can Consumers Help?
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 working hard to keep our local food system running strong,
Is Your Farmers Market Closed? Send this Letter!
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 fed, healthy and resilient during this crisis.
Small Farm FSMA Series – Part 2 of 4
Not Covered ≠ No Paperwork By: Stepheni Norton, San Diego Regional Food Safety Specialist Last Updated: March 19th, 2020 Basic record keeping to prove you’re not covered farm status. FSMA is serious business, so we have a few disclaimers before
Small Farm FSMA Series – Part 1 of 4
The 1 Thing Every Farm Must Do By: Stepheni Norton, San Diego Regional Food Safety Specialist Last Updated March 19th, 2020 Regardless of size, every farm must perform a self-assessment to determine their Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) status. So,
FRESHr
A Marketplace for Farms, Distributors, and their Customers online that aggregates and updates supply and demand for fresh local produce in real-time. Created for farmers, distributors, restaurants, and grocers advancing the farm-to-table movement, FRESHr can be used on any Internet-connected phone,
Credibles
Credibles goes beyond mainstream crowdfunding. It’s ongoing support of local business and a stronger relationship between the business and customers. The upfront payments are paid back in-kind – as edible credits. We call them Credibles. You’re a fan of a
COVID-19 & its Impacts on the Farm and Food System
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 food and agriculture system. Necessary measures to contain the spread
What can consumers do to support farms & local food system during Covid-19?
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 strong, healthy, local food system is absolutely essential during times
Guidance for Businesses & Employers: COVID-19
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 and as additional information becomes available. CDC is working across
The Fight to Keep Farmers’ Markets Open During Coronavirus
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 Saturday, shoppers showed up in droves, despite the cold, rainy
Square
The one-stop run-your-business shop. While not farm-specific, many small businesses use Square for everything from payments to payroll.
Everything you need to know about online farmers markets
Online farmers markets are becoming increasingly popular with the rise in demand for locally sourced produce. With an industry that makes hundreds of millions annually, online farmers markets provide consumers with fresh food at their door for minimal costs. From how
Workplace CSAs Deliver Healthy Eats to the Office Set
Most of the people working at Spacesaver, a shelving company based in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, hadn’t heard of community supported agriculture (CSA). That was until Anna Calloway, the company’s human resources partner, found a CSA subscription service from nearby High Meadow Farm that would allow
Selling Real Farm Products in a Virtual Marketplace
There are myriad options to explore, from a personal online store to a collective online farmers’ market. Four years ago, I was using a common mix of marketing channels for my small diversified farm: a farmers’ market and restaurant accounts,
5 Ways to Start Selling Online
Today’s sellers have a ton of options to sell online. Take a look at the five most popular options. The U.S. ecommerce market brought in more than $504 billion in revenue last year. And it’s expected to grow to more
CSA & Online Sales during Covid-19
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 shortage of food and certainly no shortage of demand (in
Local Line
Streamline your farm’s sales process. Local Line helps food suppliers doing direct marketing sell their products online, access new markets, and keep organized.
Local Food Marketplace
LFM will help you streamline your business from start to finish – including planning production, harvest lists, packing lists, invoices, and payments, supporting producers and food hubs selling to consumers, restaurants, grocery stores, institutions, and CSAs.
Food4All
Free tools, technology and an online marketplace giving you everything you need to market and sell to buyers in your community. Specifically designed for selling CSA’s, value added items and farm/ranch goods
Farmigo
Software designed to grow and manage your CSA or Food Hub. Designed specifically to look great and work well on smartphones since over 30% of eCommerce is taking place on phones. Member signup wizard supports multiple payment plans, payment methods,
Cropolis
An ordering platform built for direct farm food sales. Connect with your customers. Tell your story. Sell your food. An all-in-one order management platform built to be simple enough to get started in 10 minutes and powerful enough to manage
Barn2Door
Customers Easily Order From Your Farm on Any Channel or Device. Convenient self-service purchasing. Web, mobile, social, email, newsletters. Automated pick & pack Lists.
CSA discussion group, facebook
Farmers ONLY! From crop production to marketing to discussions of the CSA model itself: what is going on in your neck of the woods?
GrazeCart
We help small farms sell directly to their customers. Whether you sell grass-fed beef, pasture-raised eggs, or natural produce, we provide the solutions to facilitate delivery, inventory, pickup and more.
Harvie
Harvie helps farms selling through a CSA / farm share model increase retention and meet sales growth targets while increasing overall profitability. Harvie focuses on providing a better member experience that includes customized shares, flexible share sizes and flexible weeks
Reko: DIY Facebook-based pre-ordering system
Reko stands for ‘Fair Consumption’ and is a trade model originally created in Finland. In short, it is a Facebook-based pre-ordering system for local products. Imagine being able to shop a variety of fresh, local and ethical produce from the
Guidance to Prevent the Transmission of COVID-19 in Food and Beverage Venues
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 to increase the transmission of COVID-19.
Coronavirus & CA Farmers Markets
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 as well as farmers markets. However, one thing is clear:
Community Alliance with Family Farmers’ Statement on Governor’s Announcement on COVID-19 Actions
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 from Executive Director Paul Towers in response to the Governor’s
Vídeo: Los Cinco Principios de la Salud del Suelo
Los agricultores en todo el mundo operan en una era de clima incierto. Los suelos sanos y vivos pueden soportar mejor la creciente demanda que les estamos imponiendo para cultivar alimentos saludables y mantener el agua y aire limpios bajo
Technical Assistance for the Healthy Soils Program
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE HEALTHY SOILS PROGRAM Are you interested in implementing cover crops, compost, hedgerows and other Healthy Soils practices on you farm? The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is offering 3 year grants to farmers to
Asistencia técnica para acceder fondos del Programa de Suelos Saludables
Asistencia técnica para acceder fondos del Programa de Suelos Saludables ¿Está interesado en implementar cultivos de cobertura, compost, setos y otras prácticas de suelos saludables en su granja? ¡El Departamento de Alimentos y Agricultura de California (CDFA) está ofreciendo subvenciones