COVID-19 Information for Agriculture and Food Businesses

DACF continues to ensure functions critical to the agency and industry needs are met and carried out in the interest of public safety and public health. To keep our agricultural producers, businesses, and service providers as up-to-date as possible on health and safety issues with the ongoing COVID-19 situation, DACF will maintain the most recent information and guidance from the Maine Centers for Disease Control and our federal and state partners. We are in contact with producers and agricultural organizations across Maine to try and find effective ways to minimize the negative impact on growers and address your concerns and issues. Please continue to reach out, and we will do our best to respond and share as much information as we can during this time.

On this page:

• Essential Services Interim Guidance
• Physical Distancing Guidance
• Essential Public Health Information
• Financial Resources for Farmers, Producers, Loggers, Truckers, and Wood Processing Facilities
• Resources for Planning & Responding to COVID-19 for Farm and Forestry Producers
• Cleaning and Sanitizing
• Food Safety
• Farmers’ Markets & Pick Your Own Operations
• Horticulture
• Livestock
• Farm Labor
• Resources for Veterinarians, Animal Shelters, Kennels & Pet Owners
• Find Local Food and Food Assistance
• Other Resources

Essential Services Interim Guidance

• Agriculture and Food Interim Guidance (PDF) - Updated July 16, 2020
• Horticulture Interim Guidance (PDF) - Updated May 6, 2020
• Pesticide Applicators and Pesticide Dealers/Distributors Interim Guidance (PDF) - Updated May 6, 2020
• Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers, Employers and Housing Providers Interim Guidance (PDF) / Fact Sheet (PDF) - Added June 22, 2020

Agriculture was broadly deemed an essential service by the Governor’s Emergency Proclamation of March 24, 2020. The Department created its essential services interim guidance documents to assist agricultural entities in safely operating and conducting business during the pandemic. The recent staged reopening plan announced by the Governor on April 28, 2020 does not change how agricultural businesses operate other than to require that cloth face masks be worn where physical distancing measures are difficult to maintain. The Department’s guidance regarding implementing sanitation and physical distancing measures available on this website remain appropriate for farms, food producers and other ag businesses to utilize in their daily operations.

Physical Distancing Guidance

• Physical Distancing at Agricultural Essential Services (PDF)
• 8.5 x 11 Distancing Signage for Farm-ready Sales (PDF)

Essential Public Health Information

• Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 Information
• COVID-19 Prevention, Symptoms, FAQs
• FDA Information Comparing Respirators, Facemasks and Cloth Face Coverings and Appropriate Uses
• FDA Statement Regarding Respiratory Protection Shortages and Reduced Availability of Respirators
• Maine CDC COVID-19 Information
• Maine 2-1-1 COVID-19 Resources

Financial Resources for Farmers, Producers, Loggers, Truckers, & Wood Processing Facilities

The federal government recently passed the Phase Three Coronavirus Package which included the Coronavirus Relief Fund ($150B), the Agriculture Secretary’s Relief Fund ($9B), and USDA Commodity Credit Corporation funding ($14B). The Department will update this page as more details emerge regarding how these funds will be made available to food producers and farmers.

• NEW 5/20/20: USDA Direct Assistance to Farmers through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). Applications begin 5/26/20. The new CFAP program provides financial assistance to certain producers of agricultural commodities who have suffered a five-percent-or-greater price decline due to COVID-19 and face additional significant marketing costs as a result of lower demand, surplus production, and disruptions to shipping patterns and the orderly marketing of commodities. Please visit the link for more information.
• Non-Federal Agricultural Assistance Programs (DOCX): A listing of financial assistance programs for farms and producers. Updated 7/15/20
• Federal Programs
  • The Farm Service Agency (FSA) has several loan and servicing programs aimed at farmers and producers. Please reach out directly to FSA in Maine to learn more.
    • Update from FSA regarding program changes to help customers
    • Farm Loans Overview (PDF)
    • Emergency Loan Program (PDF)
    • Microloan Fact Sheet (PDF)
    • Loan Servicing Fact Sheet (PDF)
    • Additional fact sheets can be found at USDA.gov.
    • FSA Maine County Contacts (DOCX)
  • Small Business Administration (SBA)
    • 6/18/20 Update: SBA has created a revised PPP loan forgiveness application and a new EZ application. The EZ application applies to borrowers who are self-employed and have no employees, or to borrowers who did not reduce salaries or wages of their employees by more than 25%, among other criteria. Visit SBA for more information.
  • The Paycheck Protection Program fund was replenished in late April. DACF encourages businesses to apply now, as the funds will run out quickly. The SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. This program is for any small business with less than 500 employees (including sole proprietorships, independent contractors and self-employed persons), private non-profit organization or 501(c)(19) veterans organizations affected by coronavirus/COVID-19.
  • 4/24/2020 UPDATE: The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Program (EIDL) now applies to farm businesses. DACF encourages businesses to apply now, as the funds will run out quickly. These are working capital loans, capped at $2M, intended to assist during the disaster recovery period.
  • Details of the SBA’s EID program (PDF)
  • SDA overview of the Economic Injury Disaster program parameters and eligibility (PDF)
  • SCORE Maine is a resource partner of the SBA and provides business mentorship to small businesses.
  • USDA Rural Development
    • NEW 6/17/20: USDA RD’s Business and Industry (B&I) Cares Act Loan Program is available for agricultural producers. $450,000,000 is dedicated to ag businesses. The loan program is for working capital (e.g. supplies, P&I, payroll, rent, feed, seed, fertilizer, marketing, shipping, livestock (excluding breeding), etc.), and loan terms can be up to ten (10) years with deferral of principal payments for up to three years.
      • More information on the scope of the B&I Cares Act Loan Program and how to apply (PDF).
• State Programs
  • 5/1/20 UPDATE: Beginning May 1, 2020, the Maine Department of Labor will begin accepting application for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program (PUA). The PUA is a federal program that expands eligibility for unemployment benefits to categories typically not able to receive benefits, including self-employed workers and farmers and independent contractors. More information is available at Department of Labor, and an FAQ is available (PDF).
  • COVID-19 Relief Consumer Loan Program: This program provides no- to low-interest consumer loans through a loan guarantee program involving Maine’s banks, credit unions, and FAME. Interested borrowers should contact their local bank or credit union (not FAME) to see if the lender is offering this program and to apply.
• IRS Guidance on paid leave tax credits for small/med businesses
• Maine’s Annual Current Use Tax Application Deadline Extension to July 1

Resources for Planning & Responding to COVID-19 for Farm and Forestry Producers

• UMaine Cooperative Extension Weekly Farmer Zoom Meetings
• CDC Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers
• Maine Forest Products Council
• Professional Logging Contractors of Maine
• Forest Resources Association

Cleaning and Sanitizing

• Maine-manufactured PPE Resources (Manufacturers Assoc. of Maine)
• Resource for Sourcing PPE and Sanitizer Related Products (MOFGA)
• Maine Registered Disinfectants for Use Against COVID-19 (PDF): Products on this list include Maine registered disinfectants that meet EPA’s criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes the disease COVID-19. The list will be updated often. If you have any questions about products please contact Board of Pestcides Control at pesticides@maine.gov.
• EPA accepted pesticides for Coronavirus COVID-19 mitigation: This site provides information on EPA’s criteria for determining which pesticides are listed for use against SARS-CoV-2.
• Information on using disinfectants to control the COVID-19 Virus (Source: NPIC): Find general guidance on using disinfectants effectively. Also find steps to consider to reduce your risk when using disinfectants.
• Considerations for Fruit and Vegetable Growers, etc.
• DACF Interim Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfection of Food Manufacturing Facilities and/or Retail Food Stores for COVID-19 (PDF)
• Respiratory Protection: Keeping Yourself Safe and Meeting Legal Requirements (Source: NPSEC) - This infographic contains a helpful decision matrix for determining the need for a respirator during pesticide application. It also provides suggestions on which types of respirators will provide equivalent or better protection when a label listed respirator is unavailable.

Food Safety

• DACF Statement to Consumers Regarding the Safety of Maine Food (PDF)
• USDA Food Safety and COVID-19
• USDA Press Release re Food Safety Inspections
• FDA Food Safety and COVID-19
• FDA FSMA and COVID-19
• USDA FSIS - Food Safety Related to Meat and Poultry

Farmers’ Markets & Pick Your Own Operations

• DACF Statement on Farmers’ Markets (PDF) - Updated 6/30/2020
• Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets COVID-19 resources
• DACF & UMCE Pick Your Own Guidance (PDF)
• 8.5 x 11 Distancing Signage for Farm-ready Sales (PDF)

Horticulture

• For Producers:
• UMaine Cooperative Extension Seedling Sales Resources
• DACF MELeaf Newsletters
• For Consumers:
• UMaine Cooperative Extension Gardening Resources
• UMaine Cooperative Extension Garden “Chats”
• DACF Searchable List of Licensed Nursery Operations
• MOFGA Certified Seedlings
• Plant Something Maine—industry nonprofit with plant material sources
• Community Gardens
• Purdue University Guidance on Community Gardens

Livestock

• UMaine Cooperative Extension Livestock and COVID-19
• UMaine Cooperative Extension Livestock Bulletin/Handling Farm Disruptions
• COVID-19 Fact Sheet for Dairy Workers (English)
• COVID-19 Fact Sheet for Dairy Workers (Spanish)
• COVID 19 Considerations for Animal Activities at Fairs, Shows and Other Events (CDC)
• Coronavirus Disease Resources and Updates for Equestrian Events

Farm Labor

• The Department continues to monitor announcements from USDA and the Department of State regarding the status of processing critical H-2A Visas for temporary agricultural workers with partner countries.
• NEW 6/2/20: Agricultural Workers and Employers: Interim Guidance from CDC and the U.S. Department of Labor
• Agricultural Employers Guide to Families First Cornavirus Response Act (PDF)
• Maine Dept. of Labor Guidance for Agricultural Employers with Housing (PDF)
• H-2A Visa Program
• Legal Food Hub COVID-19 Unemployment Overview (PDF)
• Maine Dept. of Labor Unemployment Website
• Legal Food Hub COVID-19 Employee Sick Time and Leave (PDF)
• Maine Farm Labor Link

Information for Veterinarians, Shelters, Kennels & Pet Owners

• Maine Veterinarian Guidance Letter (PDF)
• Animal Testing Guidance for Maine Veterinarians (v. 4/22/20) (PDF)
• American Veterinary Medical Association and COVID 19
• CDC: Animals and Coronavirus Disease
• Animal Health & Safety and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• CDC FAQ for Pets and Animals

Find Local Food and Food Assistance

• Online Farm & Food Directories
  • Farm to Institution New England COVID-19 Institutional Matchmaking: food, distribution, storage, labor
  • Farm Product and Pickup Directory
  • MOFGA Certified Operations
  • Maine Schools Providing Meals to Students During Closures
  • Good Shepherd Food Bank’s list of Maine Hunger Relief Agencies
• Technical Assistance
  • On-Ramp to Online Sales
  • Maine Technology Advisors for Online Sales and Marketing (PDF) (Updated May 5, 2020)
  • UMaine Cooperative Extension E-Commerce and Alternative Marketing Resources
• DACF Programs
  • TEFAP: DACF is currently receiving and distributing food from USDA’s Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) on a regular basis. This food is distributed through a network of pantries statewide. Check with your local pantry for operating hours.
  • The Maine Senior FarmShare Program (MSFP) 2020 season is continuing without interruption. MSFP has made a temporary amendment to the senior sign up policy following Governor Mills’ “Stay Healthy at Home” mandate. Seniors may sign up with a verbal agreement over the phone with an authorized farm beginning April 1, 2020. This is a temporary amendment and will expire on September 30, 2020. For more information and to find an authorized farm near you.

Other Resources

• Retail Association of Maine
• MGFPA COVID-19 Resources for Retailers & Food Producers
• Beginning Farmer Resource Network

Maine CDC

• Updates and Information
  • Maine 2-1-1 COVID-19 Resources

Governor’s Office

• News from the Governor's Office

Maine DECD

• News and information

CDC

• Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 Information
• COVID-19 Prevention, Symptoms, FAQs

Notice of Temporary Building Closure

• DACF’s Deering Building, which houses the Bureau of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, and Harlow Building, which houses the Maine Forest Service, are temporarily closed to the public. Should you require assistance, please call (207) 287-3200. Thank you.