Resources for Farmers & Food Businesses #COVID19

 

Local

  1. Resources for Farmers from our Food Council neighbors, the Merrymeeting Food Council.
  2. Small business support: AVCOG COVID-19 Resources
  3. The LA Metro Chamber offers commercial loans up to $350,000 for business acquisition, site purchase & development, construction & rehabilitation, machinery & equipment, and working capital. The Chamber has also recently prioritized food and agriculture businesses and infrastructure within existing loan pools. 
  4. To create a free business listing to let the public know your updated hours and services: LA Metro Chamber #LAadapts

Statewide

  1. Support for Farmers re: shifting to curbside pickup, including free technical assistance: https://www.emergencycurbside.com/
  2. For Restaurants & Food Producers: Maine Cooperative Extension COVID-19 webpage
  3. Farmers can create a free listing on the Maine farm and seafood products directory showing hours and alternative pick-up options: UMaine Cooperative Extension  Farm Product and Pickup Directory
  4. COVID-19 Information for Agriculture and Food Businesses (Essential Services Interim Guidance, Physical Distancing Guidance, Financial Resources, Cleaning and Sanitizing, Food Safety, Farmers’ Markets, Livestock, Farm Labor) Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry webpage
  5. For farmer-specific resources: Maine Farmland Trust Farmer Resources
  6. For farmers re: how to participate in the Maine Senior FarmShare Program: Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry webpage
  7. Beginning Farmer Resource Network of Maine  – Agricultural organizations agencies are continuing to collect information to assess the impact this virus is having on Maine farms to better inform direct assistance and policy in this changing time. COVID-19 Maine Farmer Survey

 

Maine Bureau of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources “tech teachers and tech seekers” connection:

  • If you are a Maine farmer seeking technical assistance with a technology mentor, please submit your farm name and email address so we can quickly share information with you about upcoming topics. https://bit.ly/FindTechHelpForFarm
  • If you are you a business or service provider with a breadth of professional expertise to offer instruction or mentoring regarding online sales, websites, internet security and technology, please join the technology mentor list. https://bit.ly/JoinFarmTechTeam

 

-Federal-

  1. For business resources for worker cooperatives, small businesses, and individuals: US Federation of Worker Cooperatives COVID-19 webpage
  2. For programs and services for farmers: USDA webpage

 

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