Large farming operations that opposed the Biden Administration’s vaccine mandate were dealt a victory on Thursday. The Supreme Court temporarily blocked the mandate in a 6-3 decision that would have been issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). “OSHA has never before imposed such a mandate. Nor has Congress. Indeed, although Congress has enacted significant legislation addressing the …
GFVGA Applauds Court’s Stay, Says Vaccine Mandate Brings More Uncertainty
By Clint Thompson Count the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) as one organization pleased with a federal appeals court ruling, granting an emergency stay against the new requirement by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that businesses with 100 or more workers be vaccinated. The Biden Administration attempted to curtail the COVID pandemic’s impact by implementing a …
COVID-19: U.S. Department of Labor Issues Temporary Standard to Protect Workers
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced a new emergency temporary standard to protect more than 84 million workers from the spread of the coronavirus on the job. Under this standard, covered employers must develop, implement and enforce a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy, unless they adopt a policy requiring employees to choose to either …
Vaccine Mandate: AFBF Concerned About Potential Impact on Agriculture
By Clint Thompson President Joe Biden’s wish that businesses require COVID-19 vaccines for their employees has Ag leaders concerned about its potential impact for farmers. Allison Crittenden, Director of Congressional Relations at the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), offers her concerns about the ramifications that implementing such a mandate would have on local producers. “We are always focused on how …
USDA Updates Pandemic Assistance for Specialty Crop Growers
CFAP 2 Deadline is Oct. 12 WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is updating the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) for producers of specialty crops and other sales-based commodities. CFAP 2, which assists producers who faced market disruptions in 2020 due to COVID-19, is part of USDA’s broader Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. Additionally, USDA’s Farm …
When Will it End? Pallet Shortage Continues
By Clint Thompson One of the most challenging aspects of vegetable production this season doesn’t appear to be ending anytime soon. In fact, it may only worsen when South Florida’s fall production comes back online. The idea of a pallet shortage was unfathomable for producers prior to the COVID-19 global pandemic. But it’s a continuing problem with no end in …
CFAP 2 Key Benefit for Vegetable, Specialty Crop Producers
By Clint Thompson Were your agricultural sales impacted by COVID-19? Why not take advantage of a United States Department of Agriculture program designed to provide aid to growers who struggled during the global pandemic. The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, or CFAP 2, provides financial assistance to producers whose markets were disrupted by COVID-19. This is part of a larger initiative …
Auburn Economist Encourages Enrollment in CFAP 2
By Clint Thompson CFAP 2 remains an option for vegetable and specialty crop producers impacted by COVID-19. Growers in Florida, Georgia and Alabama can take advantage of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program which is designed to aid producers who faced market disruptions because of the pandemic. “This is something that is in response to the pandemic that we’re facing and …
Johnson & Johnson: Vaccine Resumption Key for Agricultural Workers
By Clint Thompson The resumption of Johnson & Johnson’s one-shot vaccine is a key development for agricultural workers to stay healthy during COVID-19. During a time of the season when workers’ availability is needed the most, the convenience of being able to take just one shot cannot be understated. “There’s certainly a convenience in getting the one shot. I think …
United Fresh: Organization Critical of USDA’s Food Box Cancellation
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told lawmakers this weekend that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is ending the Farmers to Families Food Box program. However, the United Fresh Produce Association was critical of the decision. Here’s its statement:On behalf of the millions of Americans who gained access to healthy fresh produce throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we are deeply disappointed in USDA’s …