Immense gratitude to our state’s farmers and ranchers who continue to serve our communities! We hope the following resources will be of use in trying to navigate market uncertainty while juggling springtime chores.
Expanded Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
USDA is accepting applications for an additional $14 billion in aid to agricultural producers who continue to face market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19. Signup for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2) extends through December 11, 2020. Payments will be made for Price Trigger Commodities, Flat-rate Crops, and Sales Commodities, including specialty crops, aquaculture, nursery crops, and floriculture. Additional commodities are eligible in CFAP 2 that weren’t in the first iteration of the program. Payment calculations will be based on 2019 sales.
NMDA: Resource Page for COVID-19
The New Mexico Department of Agriculture is continually updating this resources page listing Covid-19 assistant programs for New Mexico farmers and ranchers. Visit http://www.nmda.nmsu.edu/assistance-programs/ to view the programs.
NMFMA: Are You a Grower with Food to Sell?
The New Mexico Farmers’ Marketing Association (NMFMA) is offering assistance, if you are a grower with surplus food to move due to changing circumstances with your regular buyers at farmers’ markets, schools, restaurants, or other venues. Please fill out this very short form to let them know what you have to sell and how they can assist you.
Farmers’ markets are declared essential businesses, but will need to abide by specific rules to remain open (for example, they can only sell food and not craft items). Check the NMFMA website for up to date resources and guidance to farmers, market managers, and customers.
NM Food & Ag Policy Council: COVID-19 Recovery Resources
NM Food & Agriculture Policy’s new website has national, local and tribal recovery resources for New Mexicans.
National Young Farmers Coalition: COVID-19 Resources
Extensive resource library for (not just young) farmers with webinars, fact sheets, FAQs and links to websites related to the pandemic –covering topics from healthcare to food safety to marketing and mental health.
Edible NM: Where To Find Local Provisions
Edible NM put together a comprehensive, searchable statewide database with restaurants, coffee shops, farms, and other businesses offering take-out, family-style meals, curbside pickup, delivery options, and gift cards. Check back often for updates and if you are a local business, you can submit your details here!
UMN Extension: Planning for COVID-19 on your produce farm
Many farmers are wondering how to respond to the COVID-19 virus. The detailed information in this article is intended to help growers navigate communication, logistics and planning.
Council for Healthy Food Systems: COVID-19 Resources for Farmers
Excellent compilation of resources for farmers, market managers, and consumers from the Council for Healthy Food Systems in Texas, many of them relevant to New Mexico:
• Alternative outlets for farmers to sell their food, including online platforms;
• Sample guidelines and “best practices” for farmer’s markets and farmers selling food;
• Guidance for cottage food producers;
• Financial resources for farmers and ranchers.
American Farmland Trust: Farmer Relief Fund
American Farmland Trust has launched a relief fund that will award farmers with cash grants of up to $1,000 each to help weather the current storm of market disruptions. Initial eligibility requirements: producers with annual gross revenues of between $10,000 and $1 million from sales at farmers’ markets and/or direct sales to restaurants, caterers, schools, stores, or artisan producers. Applications now open in English and Spanish. ¿Quiere ver esta página en español? Haga clic aquí.
ATTRA/NCAT: COVID Response
NCAT/ATTRA has gathered some helpful resources to gain understanding about the pandemic and how it affects your farming or ranching operation. This extensive list is being updated as new resources become available.
USDA/NRCS: Information on Coronavirus
USDA/NRCS Service Centers will continue to be open for business by phone appointment only and field work will continue with appropriate social distancing. Service Center buildings are not currently accessible to customers, but services are still available via phone appointment or online. Find your local Service Center’s phone number at farmers.gov/service-center-locator.
American Farmbureau: Impact of COVID-19 on Agriculture
AFB collects relevant news releases, podcasts and resources on this webpage. Also featured are several farmers reacting to the crisis. View AFB’s full coverage of the impact of COVID-19 on agriculture here.
Use #StillFarming or #StillRanching to post on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and join hundreds of posts from farmers and ranchers like the ones featured.
Sew a CDC-compliant face mask
These masks aren’t designed to filter or stop the virus, but rather to protect the face from airborn droplets. While fabric masks are not to be used in the care of COVID-19 patients, according to the CDC, fabric masks are a crisis response option when other supplies have been exhausted. Watch this video by Deaconness on how to sew masks for medical staff, your employees or yourself.
How to build a field handwashing station in 10 easy steps under $20
Great how-to developed by the University of Minnesota Agricultural Health and Safety Program team.
Click here to download the building instructions
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