COVID-19 Resources for Farmers and Consumers
April 21, 2020
Hello Michael Fields Community,
We’re hoping that you and your family are doing well during this increasingly tough time.
The COVID-19 pandemic is touching nearly every part of our lives – including food and agriculture. We are compiling a list of resources for farmers and for consumers, below. Thank you to the organizations, government agencies, and community groups that have worked to assemble resources so quickly. This resource page is being updated as we learn of new resources available to help our farmers fulfill their crucial role in society, and for consumers; there are several new resources from the last weeks.
Michael Fields Agriculture Institute’s main office is closed to the public during this time. We at MFAI are available by email, phone, text and video conference. Find contact info here.
To stay informed of emerging resources sign-up to receive The Fields Report, our monthly e-newsletter, at the box to the right.
Please be safe and responsible as we work together to support each other and the agriculture community during this time.
MFAI Staff and Board
RESOURCES FOR FARMERS
Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA) Grant – a new program that provides grants and technical support to help Midwestern dairy farmers and processors diversify or develop value-added products
‘We’re All In’ Small Business Grant – $2,500 grants, pandemic relief for small businesses in Wisconsin – Apply by 11:59 p.m., Tuesday, June 23.
USDA Coronavirus Food Assistance Program – (CFAP) direct farmer aid program
WI Dept of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
NSAC How the relief aid package impacts farmers
NSAC Response to and Resources for COVID-19
NCAT ATTRA COVID Response Assistance, funding and general resources
FARM AID Resources for Farmers
UW Extension Preparing for Coronavirus on Farms
UW Extension Covid-19 Strategies for Farmers Markets
U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Assistance Loans
American Farmland Trust Farmer Relief Fund – Apps due April 23 – Grants up to $1000
Purdue University A guide for local producers to navigate the COVID-19 outbreak
Farm Commons PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) for Farms, and other Farm legal resources – All FREE
Small Business, Non-profit, Farmer Relief Funding
Direct Market Farmer’s Guide to COVID-19
Great Lakes Response – COVID-19 Farmer Resilience Initiative National program. Wisconsin application is now closed, google “Farmer Resilience Initiative in Response to COVID-19 apply” to find your state’s application through a Farm Aid partner organization.
RESOURCES FOR ALL
The Risks – Know Them – Avoid Them an impressively clear explanation of how the virus often spreads inside confined spaces, like restaurants, churches, workplaces and schools, by biologist Erin Bromage
Face Masks Really Do Matter. The Scientific Evidence is Growing. The Wall Street Journal
Free COVID Testing at Reliant Energy Center
Ethnic Minority Grants for Small Businesses
Reopen Guidelines for Small Businesses
Hmong Chamber of Commerce Emergency Loan Program
USDA Federal Rural Resource Guide
UW Extension Financial Resources to Help Get Through COVID-19
Evolving List of Policy Wins in the Face of COVID
REAP’s partner project with Roots4Change, and Rooted Donate to buy food from farms and get it to those in need in the Madison area
What Can Consumers Do During the COVID-19 Crisis to Support Family Farms & Our Local Food System?
How to Support Sustainable Food Systems During the COVID-19 Crisis
CDFA Collection of Financing Programs and Resources
Navigating COVID-19 in the Food Industry
Resources for Restaurant Workers
COVID-19 Resources for Rural People and Communities
Farm Fresh Atlas for local WI food
QuintaMKE CSA Subscription
State Department of Health Services Youtube Channel
State Department of Health Services COVID-19 Updates
FEMA COVID-19 Rumor Control (facts on COVID-19)
Disaster Distress Hotline for those who need to speak with trained counselors
Facebook Small Business Grants Program
Information on Unemployment Benefits
Hmong Chamber of Commerce list of business resources (including grant and loan programs)
That Discomfort Your Feeling is Grief
How to Respond to Coronavirus Racism “Speak Up” strategies
How to Make a Face Mask no-sew