HomeCovid-19 Resources

Covid-19 Resources

COVID Vaccination takes place every Friday at UHS Primary Care Walton. An appointment is necessary and can be arranged by calling 607-865-2400.

You can also check Vaccines.gov for other locations.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Delaware County Reopening Plan CCE COVID Reopening Safety Plan 6^22^20

Assumption of Risk Waiver Assumption of the Risk and Waiver of Liability Relating to Coronavirus 7^7^20

View this Brief Overview of the COVID virus and how vaccines work 

 Spanish version of Brief Overview of the COVIS virus and hoe vaccines work

Paycheck Protection Program Forgiveness Application Workshop. See the video at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vi6_m_BU1f4

Click here to go to the Video

This is a rapidly evolving situation. The NY Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) team is working hard to keep their site updated with the latest information on Coronavirus impacts in New York state across our programmatic areas. Here you can see the latest news and resources we are able to share across the Extension System.

EDEN logo

Extension Disaster Education Network NY: Website, Facebook, Twitter

Another recommended source of up-to-the minute information is the NY State Department of Health.

Need current information? The following Cornell CALS and CCE resource pages updated regularly.
General Questions & Links:
https://eden.cce.cornell.edu/
Food Production, Processing & Safety Questions:
https://instituteforfoodsafety.cornell.edu/coronavirus-covid-19/
Employment & Agricultural Workforce Questions:
http://agworkforce.cals.cornell.edu/
Cornell Small Farms Resiliency Resources:
https://smallfarms.cornell.edu/resources/farm-resilience/
Financial & Mental Health Resources for Farmers:
https://www.nyfarmnet.org/

Consumers looking for Local Foods

607 CSA

The 607 CSA is managed by Star Route Farm with support from the rest of our farming community. We’re organizing neighboring family farms in order to offer our members the abundance and variety of our unspoiled region. Importantly, we’re not middlemen, we’re farmers, so the money you spend on your CSA share will go directly to helping us run our farms.

Ripe.io Community

ripeCommunity is a directory of food businesses serving the local community during the COVID-19 crisis.

WhatsGood Online Farmers’ Market
Buy directly from local farmers, artisans, and other vendors in your community and get it delivered to your home or office.

Meat Suite

Designed to help consumers in NY and NC find locally produced, high quality meats in bulk. No matter your buying preference the Meat Suite aims to help you find your farmer!

Taste NY

Bring New York State to your doorstep. Shop locally grown and regionally sourced food, beverage, and gifts

Farmers Market Federation: List of markets that are operating during the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

Farmers looking into Direct Selling (Be sure to list yourself on the sites listed under the consumer section)

Direct Sales Software Platforms
National Young Farmers Coalition list of online sales platforms

How to Build Market Resilience
Cornell Small Farms Program’s guidance for Farmers’ Markets, Online Marketing Platforms, and Direct-to-Consumer Marketing for farms.

GrazeU
Graze is offering free online class on how to ship perishable goods from your farm

Let your fellow farmers and the public know how seriously you take this threat and how much you are doing to defeat it! The New York Animal Agriculture Coalition (NYAAC) has a web page where they invite all types of farms to share photos and stories about their safety practices, See message from NYAAC about how you can participate. Thanks for your efforts to Farm Strong and Farm Safe!

New York Farm Bureau Creates “Farm Relief Worker Database”

New York Farm Net

New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH) 

Resources By Audience/Topic

Children and Screens: Ask the experts! Over the course of three sessions, learn from pediatricians, child physchologists, neuroscientists, educators, and parenting experts about the evidence around screen engagement from early childhood through adolescence. 

At Home with the Child Experts: The Science of Screen Time During COVID-19
This 30-minute informal conversation gives parents and caregivers a chance to ask leading child development experts pressing questions about screen time during the coronavirus pandemic. What does the research say about adapting screen time rules? How can parents use screen time to help their kids maintain friendships and learn? Should parents have a plan for gradually reducing screen time again once at-home directives are lifted? Participants will have the option to submit questions in advance or post them in real time during the event.

Parenting Classes from CCE Albany: Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ccealbany/ or website https://www.news10.com/news/cornell-cooperative-extension-albany-offering-free-parenting-classes-online/

Family Play and Resource Center (Schylur County): www.facebook.com/FamilyPlayandResourceCenter

Purdue University’s College of Health and Human Sciences (HHS) is pleased to launch Families Tackling Tough Times Together, a program to support families as deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Guided by scientific evidence about family resilience, the “pop-up” program is being developed by HHS along with contributing partners from Purdue and beyond, with the aim of helping families strengthen their resilience while they cope with the crisis. Families are invited to join a public Facebook group (https://bit.ly/HHSFamiliesTogether) where they will find materials and activities tied to a specific aspect of resilience. All materials are carefully vetted and include engaging and fun activities that fit easily into daily life. Families with children, youth, young adults and older adults will find materials tailored for them. Additional features include podcasts with experts, live events and community engagement activities. All are welcome; we especially welcome military families.

Road to Resilience Podcast: Stories and insights to help you thrive in a challenging world. From fighting burnout and trauma, to building resilient families and communities, we explore what’s possible when science meets the human spirit. Powered by the best experts in the world.

Just Plant It, NY!
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the “JUST PLANT IT, NY!” campaign is making free and available to the public resources from the CCE Master Gardener Volunteer program and Cornell Garden-Based Learning program for new vegetable gardeners, with time and access to seeds, soil and a few low-budget tools!

Schuyler Center for Analysis & Advocacy has compiled information to help families connect to resources that may be helpful during this potentially stressful and challenging time. It is a living and changing list of resources and will be updated regularly.

4-H Camps across NY are offering some pretty awesome, fun activities online. Each day, one (or more) of the camps will be offering something unique, fun and exciting for you! You do not need to be a 4-H member, or even a former/current camper to enjoy these activities! Anyone at all can tune in and enjoy some great activities. From shelter building to cooking, to crafts to nature walks, there is something for everyone. Check out the schedule of activities, below:
Sundays – 4-H Camp Overlook
Mondays – 4-H Camp Shankitunk
Tuesdays – 4-H Camp Bristol Hills
Wednesdays – 4-H Camp Wyomoco
Thursdays – Hidden Valley 4-H Camp
Fridays – Dorothy P. Flint 4-H Camp
Saturdays – 4-H Jefferson County, NY and 4-H Camp Wabasso
Check out these amazing opportunities and we hope you enjoy being a part of the bigger 4-H Camp world!

The following is from Child Trends: 

Ways to Promote Children’s Resilience to the COVID-19 Pandemic

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently reports that the risk of exposure to COVID-19 is low for young Americans, research on natural disasters makes it clear that, compared to adults, children are more vulnerable to the emotional impact of traumatic events that disrupt their daily lives. This resource offers information on supporting and protecting children’s emotional well-being as this public health crisis unfolds.

Amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, everyday life has changed and will continue to change for most people in the United States, often with little notice. Children may struggle with significant adjustments to their routines (e.g., schools and child care closures, social distancing, home confinement), which may interfere with their sense of structure, predictability, and security. Young people—even infants and toddlers—are keen observers of people and environments, and they notice and react to stress in their parents and other caregivers, peers, and community members. They may ask direct questions about what is happening now or what will happen in the future and may behave differently in reaction to strong feelings (e.g., fear, worry, sadness, anger) about the pandemic and related conditions. Children also may worry about their own safety and the safety of their loved ones, how they will get their basic needs met (e.g., food, shelter, clothing), and uncertainties for the future.

While most children eventually return to their typical functioning when they receive consistent support from sensitive and responsive caregivers, others are at risk of developing significant mental health problems, including trauma-related stress, anxiety, and depression. Children with prior trauma or pre-existing mental, physical, or developmental problems—and those whose parents struggle with mental health disorders, substance misuse, or economic instability—are at especially high risk for emotional disturbances.

In addition to keeping children physically safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is also important to care for their emotional health. Below, we summarize recommendations for promoting the emotional well-being of children in the face of these types of adversities and provide a list of helpful resources. Because broader environments play an important role in supporting an individual’s resilience to childhood adversity, this list supplements resources specifically for children and their families with those intended for educators, communities, and states, territories, and tribes.

Recommendations to support and protect children’s emotional well-being during the pandemic:

Understand that reactions to the pandemic may vary.

Children’s responses to stressful events are unique and varied. Some children may be irritable or clingy, and some may regress, demand extra attention, or have difficulty with self-care, sleeping, and eating. New and challenging behaviors are natural responses, and adults can help by showing empathy and patience and by calmly setting limits when needed.

Ensure the presence of a sensitive and responsive caregiver.

The primary factor in recovery from a traumatic event is the presence of a supportive, caring adult in a child’s life. Even when a parent is not available, children can benefit greatly from care provided by other adults (e.g., foster parents, relatives, friends) who can offer them consistent, sensitive care that helps protect them from a pandemic’s harmful effects.

Social distancing should not mean social isolation.

Children—especially young children—need quality time with their caregivers and other important people in their lives. Social connectedness improves children’s chances of showing resilience to adversity. Creative approaches to staying connected are important (e.g., writing letters, online video chats).

Provide age-appropriate information.

Children tend to rely on their imaginations when they lack adequate information. Adults’ decisions to withhold information are usually more stressful for children than telling the truth in age-appropriate ways. Adults should instead make themselves available for children to ask questions and talk about their concerns. They might, for example, provide opportunities for kids to access books, websites, and other activities on COVID-19 that present information in child-friendly ways. In addition, adults should limit children’s exposure to media coverage, social media, and adult conversations about the pandemic, as these channels may be less age-appropriate. Ongoing access to news and social media about the pandemic and constant conversation about threats to public safety can cause unnecessary stress for children.

Create a safe physical and emotional environment by practicing the 3 R’s: Reassurance, Routines, and Regulation.

First, adults should reassure children about their safety and the safety of loved ones, and tell them that it is adults’ job to ensure their safety. Second, adults should maintain routines to provide children with a sense of safety and predictability (e.g., regular bedtimes and meals, daily schedules for learning and play). And third, adults should support children’s development of regulation. When children are stressed, their bodies respond by activating their stress response systems. To help them manage these reactions, it is important to both validate their feelings (e.g., “I know that this might feel scary or overwhelming”) and encourage them to engage in activities that help them self-regulate (e.g., exercise, deep breathing, mindfulness or meditation activities, regular routines for sleeping and eating). In addition, it is essential to both children’s emotional and physical well-being to ensure that families can meet their basic needs (e.g., food, shelter, clothing).

Keep children busy.

When children are bored, their levels of worry and disruptive behaviors may increase. Adults can provide options for safe activities (e.g., outside play, blocks, modeling clay, art, music, games) and involve children in brainstorming other creative ideas. Children need ample time to engage in play and other joyful or learning experiences without worrying or talking about the pandemic.

Increase children’s self-efficacy.

Self-efficacy is the sense of having agency or control—an especially important trait during times of fear and uncertainty. Children often feel more in control when they can play an active role in helping themselves, their families, and their communities. For example, children can help by following safety guidelines (e.g., washing their hands), preparing for home confinement (e.g., helping to cook and freeze food), or volunteering in the community (e.g., writing letters or creating art for older adults or sick friends, sharing extra supplies with a neighbor).

Create opportunities for caregivers (which may mean yourself!) to take care of themselves.

Children’s well-being depends on the well-being of their parents and other caregivers. Caregivers must take care of themselves so they have the internal resources to care for others. To this end, adult caregivers can engage in self-care by staying connected to social supports, getting enough rest, and taking time for restorative activities (e.g., exercise, meditation, reading, outdoor activities, prayer). Seeking help from a mental health provider is also important when adults struggle with very high levels of stress and other mental health challenges.

Seek professional help if children show signs of trauma that do not resolve relatively quickly.

Emotional and behavioral changes in children are to be expected during a pandemic, as everyone adjusts to a new sense of normal. If children show an ongoing pattern of emotional or behavioral concerns (e.g., nightmares, excessive focus on anxieties, increased aggression, regressive behaviors, or self-harm) that do not resolve with supports, professional help may be needed. Many mental health providers have the capacity to provide services via “telehealth” (i.e., therapy provided by telephone or an online platform) when in-person social contact must be restricted.

Emphasize strengths, hope, and positivity.

Children need to feel safe, secure, and positive about their present and future. Adults can help by focusing children’s attention on stories about how people come together, find creative solutions to difficult problems, and overcome adversity during the epidemic. Talking about these stories can be healing and reassuring to children and adults alike.

Resources

Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2

USDA’s Farm Service Agency will accept CFAP 2 applications from September 21 through December 11, 2020.

Coronavirus Food Assistance Program

Are you a farmer or rancher whose operation has been directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic? The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program provides direct relief to producers who faced price declines and additional marketing costs due to COVID-19.

Economic Injury Disaster Loan

This loan advance will provide up to $10,000 of economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing temporary difficulties.

PPP and EIDL Fact Sheet # 5 (May 13) – Reopened, only for farms

PPP and EIDL Fact Sheet #4

PPP has $310 billion more + returned funds from large companies. $60 billion more for EIDL, is now available(ish) for farms.

Child Care Funding Available for Children of Essential Workers

NYS announced on April 24, 2020 that child care scholarships will be available for child care expenses  for essential workers; which includes food processing and farm employees.

Protect Yourself Financially From the Impact of COVID-19

Steps to take if you have trouble paying your bills or meeting other financial obligations.

Paycheck Protection Program
The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. What farmers should know (South Central NY Dairy & Field Crops Team) April 8th Update,. Loan Forgiveness Application

SBA Guidance and Loan Resources
Coronavirus funding options, guidance for businesses and employers, access to capital, and more.

Farmer Relief Fund
American Farmland Trust’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.

Tax Deadline Extension

Do’s and Don’ts for Dairy Farmers when Facing Financial Difficulty

Financial Resources, Grants, and Other Resources for Farmers
Cornell Small Farms Program’s compilation of loans, grants, and legal support to help farmers build their own resilience through this pandemic.

Financial Wellness Resources: The below resources have been complied by the FERM Program Work Team to provide you and your family with pertinent financial management resources to assist you during this challenging
time.

The U.S. is confronting an outbreak of a novel coronavirus that causes serious respiratory disease and may be deadly for older people and those with weakened immune systems. The World Health Organization is now calling the outbreak a global pandemic because it is affecting countries all over the world. People and organizations can still fight coronavirus by taking steps to prevent transmission of the disease. The whole point of widespread cancellation of events is to create “social distancing” to lower the infection rate and prevent health care systems from being overwhelmed. New York State Department of Health has a coronavirus website with English and Spanish posters for preventing coronavirus infection (https://health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/).

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and prevention (CDC) provides clear guidance about preventing infection in both English and Spanish. They also provide a number of printable factsheets and posters in English and Spanish suitable for use in the workplace. (Download at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/factsheets.html)

Employer Action Steps

Your farm workforce is not immune to coronavirus. Please begin taking steps to protect yourself and your employees.

  1. Talk with your employees about the coronavirus, how it spreads, and how to prevent getting infected.
  2. Print the CDC factsheets and posters, post in your workplace and employee housing facilities.
  3. Provide guidance to help employees clean and disinfect employer-provided housing. Follow up with employees and manage the process to be sure that this happens. Set up a regular weekly and daily schedule for cleaning.
  4. Clean and disinfect your workplace. The employee breakroom and bathroom are great places for virus to be transmitted. Clean and disinfect any areas where employees congregate or routinely touch items such as doorknobs and computer keyboards. Set up daily and weekly cleaning schedules.
  5. Provide cleaning supplies such as cleaning solutions, buckets, mops, brushes, etc. for cleaning at work and for those living in employer-provided housing. (CDC list of approved antimicrobial cleaning products: https://templatelab.com/epa-registered-disinfectant-products/
  6. Review your sick leave policy. The first advice for people who are sick is to stay home except to get medical care. Do you provide paid sick leave for your employees? If you do not, will employees feel financially obligated to come to work even if they are sick?
  7. Communicate with employees that they should stay home if they are sick. Employees sometimes come to work believing they will face punishment or firing if they miss work. Be sure your employees understand that their health and that of their co-workers’ comes first. Communicate and make a plan to cover for sick employees. CDC provides posters in English and Spanish covering symptoms of novel coronavirus.
  8. Prepare your disaster contingency plan. What will you do if 50 percent of your employees become sick and unable to work? Are there neighboring farms who might be able to share resources in an emergency? Who will manage for a few weeks if you or another key manager are unable to leave your house or are hospitalized?

At minimum, share the guidelines below from New York state with your employees and family.

New York State Department of Health Prevention Tips

While there is currently no vaccine to prevent this virus, these simple steps can help stop the spread of this and other respiratory viruses:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Additional Resources

Dairy Markets & Policy: Information Letter: Provisions of the CFAP Direct Payments for Dairy. We have outlined these changes and calculated a few farm examples so you can see the impact on dairy farms. You can download a copy of the paper here.

Webinars:

Link COVID-19 and Your Dairy webinar recording
Link to COVID-19 and Your Dairy pdf of webinar presentation

Steps that dairy managers should consider to protect their workforce, their business and their markets

Presented by Richard Stup, PhD, Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development, and Rob Lynch, DVM, Cornell CALS PRO-DAIRY

Topics include: why prevention of the coronavirus/COVID-19 is important, steps that employers should take to protect employees, animal health considerations, what to do if service providers are not available, disaster contingency plans, cross-training of employees who can fill other roles, business resources for employers, and pending federal and state legislation related to coronavirus and employees.

Podcasts

Dairy Responding to COVID-19

A Limited Podcast Series​ hosted by Rob Lynch, DVM, Dairy Herd Health and Management Specialist, PRO-DAIRY, and Kathy Barrett, Dairy Education, PRO-DAIRY, with interviews of key dairy industry professionals.

Managing Coronavirus on Your Dairy Farm

Dr. Richard Stup discusses dairy farmers managing coronavirus. In episode 15 of DairyVoice podcast, Joel Hastings, Editor & Publisher of DairyBusiness News talks about important items for dairy farm managers to consider in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. Dr. Richard Stup, PhD, who heads the Agricultural Workforce Development program at Cornell University, is widely known for his personnel management expertise. In this episode, he tells us about a variety of issues to consider and plan for in keeping farm families and farm employees safe, and keeping the farm business running. What should the first steps be for a dairy manager? What about managing isolation, tracking, and communication with health authorities? Dr. Stup says to begin to plan right now. You can listen to this episode of DairyVoice at DairyVoice.com, at www.DairyBusiness.com, or through any of the major podcast providers.

News Releases

Blog Posts/Articles

NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets has issued guidance specifically for horticulture and landscaping operations

Steps that produce farm managers and individuals working with fruit and vegetable farms should consider to protect their workforce, their business, and their markets.

Best Practices for U-Pick Farms During the COVID-19 Pandemic

U-Pick is a critical direct marketing approach for many of our farms and provides customers with a unique connection to fresh produce grown close to home. In light of what we understand about the spread of COVID-19, new management practices will be needed to protect your farm team and your customers. This document provides recommended practices and communication strategies for U-Pick operations for the 2020 season.

This webinar was presented by Richard Stup, PhD, Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development, Elizabeth Bihn, PhD, Director of Produce Safety Alliance at Cornell, and Anu Rangarajan, PhD, Director of the Cornell Small Farms Program.

Link to Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development COVID-19 Resources Page
Link to Webinar Recording
Link to pdf of the Webinar Presentation
Access does require a simple sign in to free Box cloud file sharing

A number of thoughtful questions were submitted during the webinar. A few responses to FAQs and additional resources are provided below.
FAQs

  • Can employers require employees to notify them if they have tested positive for the coronavirus? Yes. I answered this incorrectly in the webinar. According the law firm Fisher Phillips, the EEOC has confirmed that employers may require employees to notify their employer about positive test results. (Richard Stup)

WEBSITES

More COVID-19 Resources

Para más información en español, haga clic aquí

ADDITIONAL RESOURCE FOR EMPLOYEE TRAINING
A collaborator of the Cornell Small Farms Program Labor Ready Project (ESL Works) has launched a free text-based training that consists of five-minute “drills” focused on COVID-19 universal preparedness for essential workers. Content is based on CDC/WHO guidelines and is updated in real-time. Topics include:

  • Preventing the spread of COVID-19
  • How to wash our hands properly
  • Hand sanitizer dos and don’ts
  • How to disinfect your phone
  • When to wash our hands
  • How to sanitize high-touch surfaces

For a demo, text STOPCOVID to 929 335 2215 or visit STOPCOVID.CO(not COM) to learn more. If you choose to use this service, you will receive a unique code for the farm to share with your employees. You will also receive reports daily on training results.

Pesticides (NYS DEC)

Cornell Pesticide Management Education Program – Pesticide Use Guidance During COVID-19

Along with the increased use of disinfectants and sanitizers during the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in adverse health effects from the misuse of these products. There have also been several fraudulent products produced during this time that potential applicators should be made aware of. Please read and share the following statements from Cornell’s Pesticide Management Education Program (psep.cce.cornell.edu).

Beware of fraudulent pesticide claims related to SARS-CoV-2 (the COVID-19 coronavirus):

It has come to our attention that unregistered disinfectants claiming to protect against the virus are being marketed in the US. The efficacy and safety of these products is unsubstantiated and their use is illegal.

Regulators are taking steps to prevent such products from reaching the market, but it is your responsibility to use only those products designated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for use against SARS-CoV-2, listed at https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/materials_minerals_pdf/covid19.pdf. Please check this list frequently, as content is subject to change.

Be safe disinfecting your home:

Disinfectants are pesticides and you can only use them as directed by the label. Therefore:

  • Never mix different disinfectant products together because doing so is dangerous. For example, mixing bleach with acids (such as vinegar) or ammonia releases life-threatening toxic fumes.
  • Never use disinfectants or disinfectant wipes on your skin. Instead, wash with soap and water; you can also use hand sanitizer on your hands.
  • Never wash fruits and vegetables with soap, sanitizers, or disinfectants as this could also result in poisoning. Wash produce only in clean water.

For more information on disinfecting your home and how to handle food during this crisis, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/disinfecting-your-home.pdf and  https://instituteforfoodsafety.cornell.edu/coronavirus-covid-19/food-safety-recommendation-consumer/.

Feb. 2020

To maintain the designation as an exempt operation, it is important that all farmers’ markets meet the following requirements for the duration of the Executive Order. These requirements are meant to maintain outlets for healthy local foods, while safeguarding our farmers, consumers, and communities from the spread of COVID-19.

The requirements are:

  *   No forms of entertainment.
  *   No cooking demonstrations or sampling.
  *   No craft or non-food vendors, except for soap or hand sanitizer.
  *   Space out vendors as much as possible.
  *   Minimize amount of food on display with customer access.
  *   Increase the number of handwashing stations and make hand sanitizer available.
  *   Manage customer traffic within the market to eliminate congregating and to promote social distancing (i.e., maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet between customers)

Farmers/Vendors:

In addition to food safety protocols that are taken by farmers on the farm, farmers’ market operators should implement their own sanitary protocols. While the CDC and FDA have stated that COVID-19 is not known to be transmitted in food or food packaging, farmers/vendors are required to adhere to the following requirements:

  *   Do not permit customers to spend an excessive amount of time near the booth or table.
  *   Frequently clean and sanitize surfaces and other frequently touched points of contact.
  *   Frequently wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, if soap and water are not available. (Gloves are recommended while handling products at the market.)
  *   Pre-package raw agricultural products, such as apple, potatoes, onions, etc. to the extent possible. All other foods, such as breads and baked goods, must be sold prepackaged. Please refer to existing food labeling laws

Consider other approaches to facilitate the direct sale of farm markets. Alternative options may include:
  *   Online ordering, or other creative purchasing solutions, with pick up at the market. This is to help reduce crowds and the handling of cash or other currencies.
  *   A market-wide, community supported agriculture (CSA) or food box for pick up.

Cleaning/Sanitizing and Hand Hygiene:
Clean and disinfect buildings and equipment following the New York State Department of Health’s (DOH) Interim Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfection of Food Manufacturing Facilities or Food Retail Stores for COVID-19. Signage. 

Regular hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds should be done:
  *   Before and after eating
  *   After sneezing, coughing, or nose blowing
  *   After touching face, hair, cellphone and/or clothing
  *   After using the restroom
  *   Before handling food
  *   After touching or cleaning surfaces that may be contaminated
  *   After using shared equipment and supplies.
  *   If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Resources

Know and understand the Food Safety at Farmers’ Markets Guidelines

 Frequently check the Department of Agriculture and Market’s website

USDA Food & Drug Administration FAQ

All New Yorker’s Must Wear a Face Mask in Public

On April 15, Governor Cuomo issued an executive order that states: “Effective at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 17, 2020 any individual who is over age two and able to medically tolerate a face-covering shall be required to cover their nose and mouth with a mask or cloth face-covering when in a public place and unable to maintain, or when not maintaining, social distance.”

CDC on Homemade Cloth Face Coverings:

CDC reccomends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. 

How to Wash Cloth Face Coverings

Cloth face coverings should be washed after each use. It is important to always remove face coverings correctly and wash your hands after handling or touching a used face covering.

Join in the NYS 4-H Mask Task! 

Now that wearing a mask is mandatory in New York to the COVID-19 pandemic, availability of masks is running low so we are inviting NYS 4-H’ers, volunteers, friends & family (anyone is welcome!) to step up and help fill the gap.

Cloth Face Coverings vs. Respirators: What’s the difference and when should we use them?

Respirators and cloth face coverings provide different types of protection and prevent exposures in different ways. Here is the breakdown on different options and when to use them.

Cornell Crisis Advice Project

The Cornell Institute for Translational Research on Aging (CITRA) has launched a NEW website to gather advice from elders who lived through a period of time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger. Those of you who have lived during a time of crisis like the Great Depression, World War II, or the Jim Crow era, for example, have much to offer on how to cope with our current crisis. 

For elders who have lived through a crisis: We would love to capture advice from you about how younger people can live through and remain hopeful in a time of crisis. Please share your wisdom, advice, and lessons by clicking the button below.

For those that know elders who have lived through a crisis: Feel free to share what the elder told you about living through a crisis. Please share that wisdom, advice, and lessons by clicking the button below.

New York State requires businesses to have a specific business safety plan in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes all farms, both food and non-food producing. In addition, a well-written and executed business safety plan will help reduce business liability risk during and after the pandemic. A Cornell Task Force recently developed materials to directly support farms in the plan writing process.

Check out the details in this Welcome Video,

Find the full resources on this page: https://agworkforce.cals.cornell.edu/ny-forward-business-safety-plan/ ,

Use this Step by Step Video on How to Access Documents.

Check out these webinars (which are being recorded) based on farm type to help you draw up your own farm’s safety plan!

Cornell Cooperative Extension Webinar Series on developing safety plans for compliance and to reduce liability risk

NY Forward Safety Plan Webinar Series Flyer

New York State requires businesses to have a specific business safety plan in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes all farms, both food and non-food producing. In addition, a well-written and executed business safety plan will help reduce business liability risk during and after the pandemic. A Cornell Task Force recently developed materials to directly support farms in the plan writing process.

Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development are offering a “NY Forward Business Safety Plan Support” webinar series with specialized webinars for Dairy/Livestock/Crop Farms, Fruit/Vegetable Farms, Retail Farms, Equine Farms and Greenhouse/Landscaping/Ornamental Farms.

The webinars, led by Extension specialists, will:

  • Walk farmers through the need for and process to complete a safety plan as required by all businesses for compliance with NY Forward
  • Demonstrate project tools developed by Extension to write and complete a plan
  • Share curated resources for specific industries

WEBINAR DATES

The webinars are free and pre-registration is required. Recording links will be posted on the Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development NY Forward Business Safety Plans page.

Interim Guidance for Equine Operations

For purposes of this guidance, equine activities include: the breeding, boarding, exercise, and transport of horses, the riding of personal horses at boarding facilities, and the oversight or instruction of riders.

NYCAMH Updates: Availability of Free COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing for Agricultural Workers; Smart Solution Contest