Covid-19 Agricultural Business Resources
Effective February 22,2022 terminated its mandate requiring masks indoors in locations accessable to the public
; However, wearing of masks is still strongly encouraged and still required in many places. Learn more by clicing
here
.
Food and agricultural businesses remain
essential including grocery stores, farms, farmers markets, farm stands, and restaurants
may offer carry out, curbside pickup and delivery service. During phase 2, live performances are permitted at farm breweries and wineries. As you continue operations please follow the
CDC guidelines for social distancing and review the following information to help protect yourself, your employees and your customers:
- Montgomery County COVID19 Vaccine Portal
- Maryland Covid-19 Response AND Maryland Vaccine Information
- CDC Guidance for Businesses
- MDA Guidance for Agritourism Operations
- MDA Guidance for Pick-Your-Own Operations
- UMD Dept. of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture Food/Product Safety guidance
- MDA Guidance for Farmers Markets Operations During the COVID-19 State of Emergency
- MDA Guidance for Livestock Shows & Competitions
- Essential Farm Worker Permit
- American Farmland Trust: Brighter Future Micro Grant Program
- 2021
Farm to Food Bank Capacity Building Grant -
Application Deadline November 30, 2021
- Information Session - Thursday, November 18th 3pm-4pm
- Reopen Montgomery Small Business Grant Program
- Northeast Sustainable Ag Working Group (NESAWG): Northeast BIPOC (Black, Indigenous & People of Color) Farmer Relief Fund (Deadline Aug. 10)
- Future Harvest Mini Grants for Farmers
- Montgomery County COVID-19 resources for businesses
- Microenterprise Stabilization Program (5 or fewer employees)
- Montgomery County Telework Assistance Fund (computers, remote meeting applications, e-Commerce software)
- MARBIDCO Agricultural Relief Grant Programs:
- Maryland Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Fund: $50M expansion announcment October 22, 2020 to clear the backlog of already approved applicants. Not accepting new applications.
- Maryland Farmer Covid-19 Relief Program Announcement made 10-19-20 - Application
- MARBIDCO Pandemic Adjustment Loan Fund program
- MARBIDCO Pandemic Adjustment Equipment Grant Fund Program
- Maryland COVID-19 Emergency Relief Manufacturing Fund - closed April 21.
- MD Department of Commerce Emergency Relief Fund Programs for Businesses - Closed April 6.
- USDA/NRCS Cooperative Agreements for Compost and Food Waste - announced 5/17 deadline 7/16
- USDA New Pandemic Assistance for Producers - Announced 3-24-21
-
Small Business Administration (SBA)
Paycheck Protection Program
- Recording of Glass Jacobson Financial Group Webinar: CARES ACT & Paycheck Protection Program and their response to the CARES ACT FAQ's
- SBA Offers Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) & Advance application specifically for Agricultural Businesses. (only Ag businesses accepted)
- USDA Pandemic Response and Safety Grant - Application period October 6, 2021 - November 22, 2021
- USDA Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) 2 - Round Two closes October 12, 2021
- The Field Consultants put together The Farm and Food Business Owners Guide to the CARES Act to help small farms understand what they might be eligible for right now
- USDA Rural Development Covid Response
- USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Purchase Program
- USDA Urban Agricultural Grants
- National Farm to School Network launched COVID-19 Relief Fund (first round of applications closed 5/10/20 but future rounds anticipated)
- USDA Food & Nutrition Service (FNS) grants states flexibility to manage food supplemental programs
- USDA & Department of Homeland Security (DHS) temporarily amend certain H-2A requirements
- Grants from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture
- Farm Business Managment & Benchmarking Competitive Grants Program - cl oses 6/5/20
- Crop Protection & Pest Managment Competitive Grants Program - closes 6/8/20
- Equipment Grant Program - closes 6/23/20
......
- Farmer's Legal Action Group (FLAG) - Offers free legal services and support. Farmers can call 877-860-4349
- Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) grant opportunity - Deadline Novemer 17, 2020
- National Young Farmers Coalition resource listing of Direct Sales Software Platforms
- Recording of Virginia Tech's Farm to E-Commerce Webinar
- Essential Farm Worker Permit
- Future Harvest COVID Resources for Farmers
- MoCo Food Council Local Food System Resources
- PennState Extension Online Courses
- University of Maryland Agricultural Law Education Initiative (ALEI) COVID Resources
- Montgomery Countryside Alliance LaborLink helping Farmers & Workers connect
-
MD Farm Bureau Resource Page
- MD Farm Bureau partnered with MJM Global Coverage to offer healthcare coverage options to its members.
- Insights from Produce Marketing Association
- Customer Supported Agriculture (CSA) Innovation Network
Are farmers still able to sell from thier farm given the Governor's stay at home order?
ANSWER: Yes. Farms/food production businesses are designated as essential as confirmed in the
MD Legal Council Interpretive Guidance document. While the Governor did issue a stay at home order, he stated that people may go out to pick up items for public health and food. However, you must take precautions and follow the
CDC guidelines for social distancing to protect you and your customer's health.
Will Pick-Your-Own (PYO) be allowed?
ANSWER: Pick-your-own operations are farms/food producers which are designated as essential businesses. Currently, they would be able to operate; However, you must take precautions and follow the
CDC guidelines
for social distancing to protect you and your customer's health. Since PYO isn't expected to begin until Mid May-Mid June, we
will have more information from the Federal/State/Local announcements and will provide further guidance at that time.
Are farms able to provide curbside pick up?
ANSWER: Yes. Food and agricultural businesses including grocery stores, farms, farmres markets, farm stands and restaurants
may offer carry out, curbside pickup and delivery service . Please take precautions and follow the CDC guidelines for social distancing to protect you and your customer's health.
Sources to purchase locally made Masks: