Cornell Cooperative Extension

Chemung County
NY FarmNet is a great resource for risk management and farm stress during these difficult times.

NY FarmNet is a great resource for risk management and farm stress during COVID-19.

Free hand sanitizer and masks for agricultural businesses.

Keep your farm and customers safe! Contact Liz at ema228@cornell.edu to pick up your PPE.

Coronavirus Food Assistance Program deadline is extended to September 11th.

USDA’s Farm Service Agency is accepting CFAP applications now through September 11, 2020.

All farms are required to have a NY Forward Business Safety Plan.

All farms are required to complete a NY Forward Business Safety Plan... and we can help!

COVID-19 Resources

Updated 1/22/21

COVID-19 Update on Vaccine and Distribution

Throughout the pandemic, the Institute for Food Safety at Cornell University (IFS) has answered questions around the risks associated with food production with useful links to expert resources to ensure that a safe and robust food supply is maintained. Recent installments of their Virtual Office Hours have focused on the COVID-19 vaccine. New York State is still in the initial Phase 1b of its phased distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more.

Keep Building Farm Resilience During COVID-19

We are still in the midst of a pandemic, and it is important to keep working toward your farm’s resiliency. We’ve curated different resource collections on how we can take care of ourselves, our farms, and our local communities. These resources offer support on the various aspects of farming during a crisis, with a focus on the current COVID-19 pandemic. Our latest addition are recommendations for best management practices and communication strategies for agritourism operations. Learn more.


With the knowledge and understanding of the novel Coronavirus ever-changing, it can be difficult to keep up with regulations and guidance. We're here to help. 

Below we've consolidated and organized the resources available to make it easier for you to find what you need. 

In response to COVID-19, here is a list of websites or phone numbers to keep handy:

General resources on COVID-19 for farms:

For information regarding business safety plans:

For information regarding protection of consumers and direct marketing:

For information regarding protection of farmworkers:

For information on Coronavirus statistics and public health guidance:

For information regarding financial assistance, loans and grants:

** Please note, not all small businesses fall under SBA, please call the Syracuse office to determine***

** Although our counties have not been declared emergency status, SBA Syracuse confirmed they were waiting on the directive from government you can create an account and update when available*

Last updated January 22, 2021

Agriculture

​New York Farm Bureau Creates “Farm Relief Worker Database”

New York Farm Bureau is launching a new system to connect farms in need of labor during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time of uncertainty, farms may temporarily be down some employees who may have to quarantine due to the virus or to take care of a sick family member. This could potentially create issues on the farm, especially when livestock need to be cared for or during a critical time of the growing season.

In turn, there is now an online database for farmers to turn to and for people who may be looking for additional, temporary agricultural work, perhaps someone who is in need of employment, may be retired from farm labor, or would like to add additional hours. Anyone who is interested and willing to work on a farm is encouraged to submit their information to the new database to potentially be matched up with a farm in need in their area. Click here to view the database.

New York Farm Bureau hopes this will serve as a resource for its members to have needed staff on hand throughout this pandemic while also providing an opportunity for job seekers. It will be up to the individual farm to appropriately screen and hire any potential employees.

In addition, New York Farm Bureau is still making its COVID-19 resource page on its website, www.nyfb,org, open to all farms, regardless of membership to provide the latest information and guidance to all of agriculture in these difficult times.

New York Farm Bureau is encouraging all farms to continue to take this pandemic seriously, follow all of the recommended safety guidance and protocols, and have a plan in place to mitigate the spread, both in the workplace and in farmworker housing should it be provided. Protecting farmworkers and fellow family members is a priority for the agricultural community.

USDA Announces Details of Direct Assistance to Farmers through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced details of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which will provide up to $16 billion in direct payments to deliver relief to America’s farmers and ranchers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to this direct support to farmers and ranchers, USDA’s Farmers to Families Food Box program is partnering with regional and local distributors, whose workforces have been significantly impacted by the closure of many restaurants, hotels, and other food service entities, to purchase $3 billion in fresh produce, dairy, and meat and deliver boxes to Americans in need.

Beginning Tuesday, May 26, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), through the Farm Service Agency (FSA), will be accepting applications from agricultural producers who have suffered losses.

If you have never worked with Farm Service Agency before, please contact your local office to start the eligibility process.

NY FarmNet

"We guide NY State farms through periods of transition, opportunity or challenge by providing free, confidential, on farm consulting services. We facilitate farm families in achieving their business and personal goals. We help NY State agriculture thrive." Free and confidential https://www.nyfarmnet.org/

Cornell Small Farms on Building Resilience

We are still in the midst of a pandemic, and as our farming season progresses it is important to keep working toward your farm’s resiliency. We’ve curated different resource collections on how we can take care of ourselves, our farms, and our local communities. These resources offer support on the various aspects of farming during a crisis, with a focus on the current COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more.

COVID-19 Testing Initiative for Seasonal Workers on Farms

NYS Department of Health and Department of Agriculture & Markets will dispatch mobile testing teams to farms in rural counties across the state, as well as assist with access to isolation housing where needed for workers who test positive. This free, rapid COVID-19 testing is available to agricultural workers in Orleans, Ulster, Clinton, Wayne and Genesee Counties, which see the highest number of out-of-state workers during harvest season. Farms who hire seasonal workers will be offered an opportunity to have workers tested at locations in the attached list of communities. Learn more.