The Ohio Department of Agriculture has been blown away by the thousands of farmers who signed up for H2Ohio funds in the 14 counties of the Maumee Watershed prior to the revised March 31 deadline. Ohio farmers stepped up to…
COVID-19
Outreach to USDA points out where CARES Act funding is needed
COVID-19 has impacted almost every sector of Ohio’s food production system and the range of that impact is far reaching. Ohio Farm Bureau members have shared both immediate issues as well as their concerns about the long-term burdens their livelihoods…
There is no shortage of milk in Ohio
As the COVID-19 pandemic began to unfold and Gov. Mike DeWine issued stay-at-home orders, many essential items typically easy to find at the grocery store were quickly in limited supply. It didn’t take long for retailers to place limits on…
Employer information for COVID positive employees
Ohio Farm Bureau Public Policy staff put together a document that helps employers with an employee who contracts COVID-19. The document is a compilation of the best available information on how an employer can provide a safe work environment and…
Tips for staying open for small producers
During the COVID-19 crisis, more and more people are turning to local farmers and smaller “mom and pop” producers for their basic needs. Trying to take care of the new influx of customers can be daunting, especially with limited staff…
Mental health care vital as farmers’ concerns grow
As the COVID-19 crisis continues to greatly impact daily life, there is an even greater need to take care of not only physical but mental health. Agriculture is an essential business, but the extra stress of the pandemic and the…
SBA Paycheck Protection Program
The Small Business Administration has released its rules for the small business Paycheck Protection Program. Agricultural enterprises that meet the size requirements are eligible to apply for this program. The Paycheck Protection Program is a new guaranteed loan program which…
COVID-19 implications for EPA enforcement
March 26, the United States Environmental Protection Agency released a temporary policy regarding the agency’s enforcement of environmental legal obligations during the COVID-19 pandemic. EPA is cognizant of potential worker shortages due to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the…
H-2A visa disruptions
There have been many developments over the last several weeks regarding the H-2A program which threaten to cause disruption to agriculture, including the closure of consulates in Mexico, border closures throughout South America and a national lockdown in South Africa…
CARES Act provides COVID-19 crisis relief
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act legislation, that passed the Senate earlier this week was also passed by the House of Representatives and signed by President Trump on Friday. The $2.2 trillion aid package includes…