Over 300 farmers were surveyed. Just under half the farmers (42%) reported a loss of revenue, while over half (58%) reported either no change or an increase in revenue in 2020. Findings from the study were published in the Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development.

Download the article for a breakdown of the numbers and an analysis of the data. 

The post Impact of COVID-19 on Pennsylvania farm revenue appeared first on Pasa Sustainable Agriculture.

The second version of the USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP2) rolled out in 2020 and expanded eligibility to more types and scales of farms. Recent changes in 2021 have streamlined the application process.

Watch this 10-minute video for a quick rundown from FSA’s Julie Hurst and Pasa’s Christina Kostelecky, and learn more at farmers.gov/cfap.

The post Updates on the USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program appeared first on Pasa Sustainable Agriculture.

Our region continued to address other pressing issues, too: advancing the fight against climate change, promoting new business models to find their economic footing as refugees, and honing systems to make local foods accessible for all.

We offer the following report to demonstrate the value that farmers and local food organizations provide to the Northeast, and, in turn, the value that state and federal policies provide to them in helping them do their work. We also share some ideas from practitioners about how some of these policies can be
improved to support a Northeast food system that is fair, resilient, and sustainable.

This document is a collaborative effort of the following organizations: American Farmland Trust, Community Food Funders, Hartford Food System/CT Food System Alliance, The John Merck Fund, Land For Good, Maine Farmland Trust, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group, Pasa Sustainable Agriculture, and Public Health Solutions.

The post How State & Federal Programs Supported Farmers in the Northeast Through the Pandemic appeared first on Pasa Sustainable Agriculture.

During this forum for cities, municipalities, and market managers, you’ll learn how others have opened and navigated the logistics of safely opening farmers markets within their own locales.

Hosts:

• Kali Boehle-Silva, Market Manager at Farmers on the Square
• Megan C. McBride, Easton Market District Director
• Christina Howell, Executive Director, Bloomfield Development Corporation

Slides:

Download a copy of the webinar slides here.

Resources:

• Bloomfield market modified market operation plan
• Bloomfield Saturday market map
• Spatial guidelines for Bloomfield Market (ARUP)
• Market volunteer procedures
• Market volunteer orientation
• Market volunteer positions & script

The post COVID-19 Forum: Safe Farmers Markets for Cities appeared first on Pasa Sustainable Agriculture.

During this forum recorded on May 21, 2020, Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Pennsylvania Agriculture Deputy Secretary Cheryl Cook provide an update on how agriculture is faring in the state during the pandemic and respond to farmers’ questions.

The post COVID-19 Farmer Forum: Discussion With Pa. Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding appeared first on Pasa Sustainable Agriculture.

These lunchtime, one-hour forums will focus on a different theme each week while still leaving time for general updates and questions.

April 30, 2020

Topic

• Aggregation, Distribution & Delivery

Hosts

• Hannah Smith-Brubaker, Pasa Executive Director
• Jacqueline Smith, Central Grazing Company
• Neil Stauffer, Harvie Farms Pittsburgh
• Sabine Carey, Centre Markets

Slides: Download a copy of the webinar slides here.

The post Aggregation, Distribution & Delivery appeared first on Pasa Sustainable Agriculture.

New funding is now available to farmers through the COVID-19 relief package (CARES Act) passed by Congress.

We’ll review these funding opportunities during this webinar. You’ll also learn how you can advocate for important federal funding that will directly assist farmers.

Topics

• New funds for Payroll Protection Program Loans. The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) provides forgivable loans to small businesses to help cover up to eight weeks of payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. Its initial funding pool was quickly drained, however additional funding is now available. Farms and small businesses can apply starting Monday, April 27, at 10:30 a.m. We anticipate a short window of opportunity to apply. We’ll discuss specific circumstances common among farmers and small businesses, like sole proprietors, and their eligibility. Click here to see our previous webinar on applying for a PPP loan. We’ve also developed a PPP loan calculation sheet you can use.
• Economic Injury Disaster Loans now available to farmers. Initially, farmers were excluded from receiving Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). However, beginning Monday, April 27, farmers will be eligible to apply to receive these funds of up to $10,000. Apply directly through the Small Business Administration (SBA).
• Advocating for farmers at the national level. Help advocate for important federal funding that will directly assist farms.

Hosts

• Hannah Smith-Brubaker, Pasa Executive Director
• Christina Kostelecky, Pasa
• Bill Kitsch, Ephrata National Bank
• Alyssa Charney, US Senator Bob Casey
• Sarah Hackney, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)

Worksheet: U.S. Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program loan calculation spreadsheet (developed by PASA)

Slides: Download a copy of the webinar slides here.

The post New COVID-19 Financial Support Available to Farmers appeared first on Pasa Sustainable Agriculture.

During this webinar, we review online sales strategies and platforms farmers and markets can use.

Hosts:

• Andrew Mefferd, editor of Growing for Market, discusses the advantages and disadvantages of three basic models growers are using to take their business online during COVID-19.
• Halston Maierle, owner of H6 Design, has worked to implement several online marketplaces and farm stores. Halston shares considerations for using various online platforms.
• Aeros Lillstrom of Who Cooks For You Farm shares the farm’s experience transitioning from selling to restaurants to selling to the public online due to COVID-19

Download webinar slides.

The post Transitioning to Online Sales appeared first on Pasa Sustainable Agriculture.

The post COVID-19 Checklist for Farmers Markets appeared first on Pasa Sustainable Agriculture.

What financial assistance is available to farms and small businesses impacted by COVID-19?

During this webinar, we review financial relief available to farmers and small businesses through the CARE Act recently passed by Congress, including emergency, incentive, and investment support. We also discuss other considerations for managing financial challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic.

Hosts

• Hannah Smith-Brubaker, PASA
• Darin Miller, Mid-Atlantic Farm Credit
• Bill Kitsch, Ephrata National Bank
• Juli Obudzinski, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

Worksheet: U.S. Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program loan calculation spreadsheet (developed by PASA)

Audience Q&A: You can review a list of audience questions and responses in written format here.

Slides: Download a copy of the webinar slides here.

The post COVID-19 Financial Assistance for Farms & Small Businesses appeared first on Pasa Sustainable Agriculture.

During this farmer listening session, Alyssa Charney from Pa. Senator Bob Casey’s office and John Hollay from United Fresh Produce respond to questions and listen to concerns about the impact of COVID-19 on H-2A farm workers.

The post Listening Session: H-2A Farm Workers & COVID-19 appeared first on Pasa Sustainable Agriculture.

We encourage farmers in Pennsylvania to review our blog post and webinar on COVID-19 Guidelines for Farms & Markets issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture before completing this assessment. If you are located outside of Pennsylvania your state’s official guidelines may vary, however the health and safety information contained in these resources is broadly applicable.

The post COVID-19 Readiness Assessment for Continuity of Farm Business appeared first on Pasa Sustainable Agriculture.

You can access the webinar slides, which include links to more information, here.

The post COVID-19 Guidelines for Farmers & Markets appeared first on Pasa Sustainable Agriculture.