Farm Labor during COVID-19 Resources
Below are current resources that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have released to support food sector and agricultural workers and employers in response to COVID-19. Visit here for more information on Covid-19.
- Agriculture Workers and Employers – Interim Guidance from CDC and the U.S. Department of Labor. Farm operations vary across regions of the country. This guidance provides a template of action to protect agriculture workers from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Agricultural employers can adapt these recommendations to protect workers at their particular work sites or in specific work operations.
- Agricultural Employer Checklist for Creating a COVID-19 Assessment and Control Plan – To prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19, agricultural employers can use this checklist to create a COVID-19 assessment and control plan for applying specific preparation, prevention, and management measures. This checklist has been developed based on the Agriculture Workers and Employers Interim Guidance from CDC and the U.S. Department of Labor.
- Implementing Safety Practices for Critical Infrastructure Workers Who May Have Had Exposure to a Person with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19
- Testing Strategy for Coronavirus (COVID-19) in High-Density Critical Infrastructure Workplaces after a COVID-19 Case Is Identified – This document presents different testing strategy options for exposed co-workers when public health organizations and employers determine testing is needed to help support existing disease control measures.
- Shared and Congregate Housing
- Administrators of shared or congregate housing – This guidance was created to help owners, administrators, or operators of shared (also called “congregate”) housing facilities – working together with residents, staff, and public health officials – prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- Residents of shared or congregate housing
- Spanish Communication Resources
General Farm Labor Resources
As an employer, farms have legal responsibilities when hiring employees, interns, apprentices and volunteers. The resources below are meant to provide an overview of your responsibilities as a farm business.
- Handbook for Small and Direct Marketing Farms – WSDA Labor on the Farm Fact Sheet
- Agricultural Jobs for Youth – WA State Labor and Industries
- Updated Minimum Wage Standards – WA State Labor and Industries
Farm Internship Resources
- U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division – Fact Sheet #71: Internship Programs Under The Fair Labor Standards
- Unpaid Internships 101 Factsheet – WA State Labor and Industries
- Farm Internship Project – WA State Labor and Industries
- ATTRA Farm Internship Listings
Farm Commons Labor Resources:
- Building a Legally Sound Intern and Volunteer Program (recorded webinar)
- FAQ – When People Work on Your Farm!
Information found on this page is for general educational purposes only and is not intended to take the place of professional advice from lawyers and Certified Public Accountants.