Below is a list of resources available to support farmers during COVID-19. This list will be updated with new info as it becomes available.
Please note that your public health district is your local authority for all things COVID, including information on policies regarding agriculture workers and travel restrictions.
Farming During COVID – WSDA Regional Markets Program
Small and direct marketing farms must follow the Washington State COVID-19 requirements for agricultural employers and guidelines for retail to prevent exposure and spread of the coronavirus. This page provides resources to help small farms understand how to apply these safety practices and preventive measures in their own operations.
Public Health COVID-19 Guidance for Farm and Agricultural Workers in Washington State – Washington State Department of Health issued document to provide public health guidance to employers and businesses in the farm and agricultural sectors in Washington State.
Pacific Northwest Agricultural & Safety Health Center
Download helpful COVID checklists, safety flyers, training guides and videos specific to agricultural workers.
Agriculture relief funding and programming – Relief efforts announced for agricultural workers immigrants
In response to COVID-19, Governor Inslee has directed the procurement and distribution of PPE, cloth face coverings and sanitation supplies to reach agricultural workers. Additionally, the Food Production Paid Leave Program will offer leave to food production workers that remain home when ill.
Safe Food Handling Practices
Please review the US Food and Drug Administration’s FAQ’s regarding COVID-19, scroll down to “Food Products”. Please also review the FDA’s Safe Handling Protocols for your farm.
Olympic Peninsula Farmers Fund
Over $120,000 has been raised and distributed to farmers in Clallam and Jefferson Counties as forward contracts to then “pay back” the fund with product going directly to local food banks and hunger relief organizations.
Small Business Administration – Paycheck Protection Program (PPP): authorizes up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses to pay their employees during the COVID-19 crisis. You can apply through any existing SBA lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. Other regulated lenders will be available to make these loans once they are approved and enrolled in the program. You should consult with your local lender as to whether it is participating. Visit www.sba.gov for a list of SBA lenders.
Financial Support for Small Farm & Food Businesses Impacted by COVID-19: King County DNRP Agriculture Program has collected local, state and federal resources for Washington State food and farm businesses impacted by the spread of COVID-19 in a single document. Most federal support for farms comes through USDA crop insurance and FSA disaster programs.
Financial Resources for Washington Residents Impacted by COVID-19: The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions has developed a list of financial resources for Washington consumers impacted by the Coronavirus. We will add to this list as more resources become available.
- Assessing your financial institution
- Unemployment help
- Trouble paying credit cards, mortgage, or rent
- Student loans deferment
- Short term and emergency loans
- Paying utilities, insurance issues, avoiding scams
Washington Law Help
Get legal help and info.
USDA Farm Service Agency Disaster Assistance Programs
USDA Launches A Resource Hub on Local Food System Response to COVID-19 – The Local Food System Response to COVID Resource Hub was created through USDA’s cooperative agreement with the University of Kentucky, Colorado State University and Pennsylvania State University. Local and regional farms and facilities tend to be more vulnerable to market disruptions as they are operated by smaller, new/beginning, historically underserved or low resourced producers and business owners.
This searchable database contains insights and educational material from 16 partner organizations to help local and regional food producers and businesses adapt their market strategies in the current environment.
USDA offers a variety of programs and services to help communities, farmers, ranchers, and businesses.
USDA Rural Development – USDA is granting lenders a temporary exception to offer payment deferrals for Agency guaranteed loan programs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 Resources – Washington State Department of Agriculture
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Business Resources in Washington State – Center for Inclusive Entrepreneurship
Business resources which includes information on financial assistance and SBDC resiliency webinars.
Keep up to date about COVID-19:
Washington State Department of Health
Clallam County
Jefferson County Public Health
Kitsap Public Health District
Additional Resources:
Washington Young Farmers Coalition: COVID-19 resource list
Farm Direct Sales Software list and comparison
Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI): Comprehensive list of COVID-19 Resources and shared practices
Clallam County Specific:
Clallam County Economic Development Council Business Support
Check our their website with the latest information for Clallam County.
Jefferson County Specific:
LION Announces COVID-19 Emergency Loan Program
LION, the Local Investing Opportunities Network, has established a new loan program for Jefferson County businesses and non-profits needing funding to deal with the COVID-19 emergency. The loan application and instructions are downloadable from the the LION website at http://L2020.org/lion/. A fast track process has been established to handle the applications. Further information about the LION COVID-19 Emergency Loan Program can be obtained from Brian Kuh, lion@edcteamjefferson.org, (360) 379-4693.
The COVID-19 Emergency Fund
Jefferson Community Foundation – along with partners United Good Neighbors and the Housing Solutions Network – launched the COVID-19 Emergency Fund. This emergency funding campaign will support local nonprofits and community-serving government agencies that help meet basic human needs and are facing an increased demand for services or are dealing with their own organization’s financial hardship. Anyone can make a donation by clicking here. People can give to a general fund or directly to one of the local organizations who has registered with the campaign. The list of organizations will grow in the upcoming days and weeks to come as more response efforts are rolled out. Organizations that want to have needs posted – ones that help meet basic human needs and are facing an increased demand for services or are dealing with their own organization’s financial hardship – can email Jen Kingfisher or call her 360.385.1729.
Kitsap County Specific:
Kitsap Community Foundation hosts Kitsap COVID-19 Response which outlines efforts, community resources, and fundraising around COVID in Kitsap County.
County COVID & Vaccine information:
Keep up to date on when you are eligible to receive the COVID Vaccine
WSDA Videos Farming During COVID-19
Washington Workplace Safety Requirements
Governor Jay Inslee’s Proclamation 20-57 requires all farm employers to implement preventative measures to reduce COVID-19 transmission. This video quickly walks farmers through those requirements. Click to see this video in Spanish or Hmong!
Safe Selling and Customer Interactions
Direct marketing farms have questions about how to keep customers and workers safe. This video offers quick and relevant guidance with specific tips for adapting safety procedures for u-pick farms, farm stands and farm-direct deliveries. Click to see this video in Spanish or Hmong!
Additional Resources