COVID-19 Resources for Farmers

We are thinking of you and are here for you. Our Policy Director is busy monitoring the stimulus bills Congress is negotiating and trying to make sure organic farmers are included in the different relief packages that have been released and future stimulus bills. On Friday, March 27, 2020, the President signed into law the CARES Act, which contains $376 billion in relief for American workers and small businesses.  Stimulus bills continue to be reviewed and released and we will continue to update this page.

As part of the CARES Act, farmers can access financial support from two programs within the Small Business Administration. 

  1. Paycheck Protection Program:  Banks opened the program April 3 then reopened on the 27th with more money.  Participation in this program has been extremely high, so apply ASAP.  Read more here.
  2.  Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program, expanded in the end of April to allow farms to apply.  Read more here.

The Farmer’s Legal Action Guide (FLAG) has created a helpful guide to learn more about accessing these two programs. Read more here.

We’re here to help you overcome the challenges created by this health crisis. We offer multiple funding options for those seeking relief. Read more below.

Because COVID-19 restrictions and recommendations vary by state, it is difficult to put together national recommendations for organic farmers.  So we have put together a list of the COVID-19 recommendations from our state and regional member organizations for organic farmers during this time.  Please reference them for guidance.  Feel free to email us helpful resources and we will add them to our website. We care about you! Stay healthy.

California
CAFF
COVID-19 Response & Resources for California Family Farms

CCOF
CCOF Crisis Resilience Resources
What equipment sanitizers are effective against Coronavirus/COVID-19 and also allowed by organic regulations?

Illinois
Illinois Stewardship Alliance
Important news & resources farmers should know about

Maine
Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association
COVID-19 Information and Support for Maine Farmers 

Michigan
Michigan Organic Food and Farm Alliance
American Farmland Trust – Farmer Relief Fund
Are you Concerned About Lost Income from COVID-19?

Midwest
Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Services
COVID-19 Resources for Farmers

Montana
Montana Organic Association
Rural Areas Remain at Risk of COVID-19

Northeast
Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance
Corona Virus-COVID-19: Helpful Things to Remember

Ohio
Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association
Covid-19 News and Resources

Other Resources:
Farmers Market Coalition
Farmers Market Response to COVID-19

Farmers Legal Action Group (FLAG)
Farmers’ Guide to COVID-19 Relief (April 2020)

Food Recovery Network (FRN), a national nonprofit dedicated to fighting food waste by feeding people in need.
  • Food Donor Form – Farmers can fill out this form to give FRN all the information we need to help support a food recovery.
  • Food Recovery Guide – This is a how-to guide to empower farmers and food business leaders to donate surplus food on their own.