A new competitive grant funding initiative known as the Farm and Food Workers Relief program was recently announced by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The program aims to provide support for …
USDA Announces Proposed Framework for Advancing Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2
The Department of Agriculture is dedicating $300 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to conduct surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging and zoonotic diseases. The effort aimed at susceptible …
Livestock Producers Suffering Pandemic Losses Have New Assistance Program
Livestock producers who suffered losses during the pandemic now have another avenue for assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Pandemic Livestock Indemnity Program (PLIP) will be available …
Pandemic Assistance for Producers Initiative Bringing Additional Aid
Additional support for agricultural producers and businesses will be made available through the Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be implementing the additional assistance …
Cal/OSHA Board Waffles on What to Do with Emergency Temporary Standard
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) is walking back a recent decision regarding the COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). Revisions approved by the Cal/OSHA Standards Board (Standards …
More Money: CFAP 2 is Back Open
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reopened the signup period for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2). Farmers and ranchers will have at least 60 days from …
Meat Sector Sees Significant Improvement in COVID Cases
The North American Meat Institute (NAMI) has provided data showing that the meat sector has proven to be successful in mitigating the impact of COVID-19. Infection rates of meat and …
Pandemic Assistance for Producers Initiative to Provide More COVID-19 Relief
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has unveiled the Pandemic Assistance for Producers program to further support farmers and ranchers. After a review of previous relief programs, USDA identified areas …
New Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Bill Goes into Effect March 29
Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed Senate Bill 95 (SB 95), the COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave bill, after it was passed by the California Legislature last week. The new mandate …
Safe Line Speeds During COVID-19 Act Reintroduced
The Safe Line Speeds During COVID-19 Act has been reintroduced by U.S. Senator Cory Booker and Representatives Rosa DeLauro and Bennie Thompson. Primarily, the legislation will eliminate line speed waivers …
President Biden Ready to Sign Latest COVID Relief Legislation
The latest COVID relief legislation has now been approved by both houses of Congress. After passing through the Senate on Saturday, the U.S. House of Representatives took up the $1.9 …
American Rescue Plan Act Moving Forward with Senate Approval
The U.S. Senate passed the American Rescue Plan Act over the weekend. The $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill will head back to the U.S. House of Representatives for another vote. …
Latest Pandemic Relief Bill Continues to Advance
The latest pandemic relief bill is making its way through the legislative process. As part of the $1.9 trillion package, the House Agriculture Committee approved the Agriculture and Nutrition title …
NASDA Seeks More Flexibility for Specialty Crop Block Grants
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) is asking for additional flexibility when it comes to Specialty Crop Block Grants. NASDA has sent a letter to U.S. Acting …