A listing of resources for value-added agriculture entrepreneurs, direct farm marketers and agritourism operators that may be helpful during the COVID-19 outbreak is provided below. These resources have been gathered from many sources including UT Extension, other universities/Extension programs, government agencies and industry organizations. The list will continue to be updated as additional resources are created or discovered. If you are aware of a resource that should be considered for listing, please email Megan Bruch Leffew.
General COVID-19 and Crisis Resources for Individuals and Businesses
- Common Sense Steps to Prevent Coronavirus Disease
- What You Need to Know About Social Distancing, Self-quarantine and Self-Isolation
- Food: A Consumer Guide to Buying from Local Farmers During the COVID-19 Outbreak
- State of Tennessee Government Response/Resources
- Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development COVID-19 Updates and Information (Added 03/30/2020)
- Launch Tennessee (Resources for small businesses and start-ups including multiple webinars and online learning opportunities) (Added 03/30/2020)
- Tennessee Talent Exchange (Connects jobs seekers to hiring companies in the grocery, retail and logistics industry) (Added 03/30/2020)
- CDC Best Practices for Employers (Added 03/30/2020)
- Navigating Coronavirus for Small Businesses
- Guide to Conquering a Business Crisis
- Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN)
- USDA COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide (Added 04/14/2020)
Financial Assistance Programs for Small Businesses
Special note on financial assistance programs: All businesses (including farms/farm businesses) are eligible for the Paycheck Protection Program Loans if they meet program eligibility requirements (see resources below for additional information). Interested producers who meet program eligibility requirements should contact their bankers to apply immediately. Loans will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
- USDA FSA Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) (Added 06/10/2020)
- Coronavirus Food Assistance Program for Specialty Crops (Added 06/10/2020)
- Coronavirus Food Assistance Program for Specialty Crop Producers (Webinar Recording) (Slides) (Added 06/19/2020)
- Coronavirus Food Assistance Program Consideration of Additional Commodities (Added 06/19/2020)
- American Farmland Trust Farmer Relief Fund Grant (Added 04/06/2020)
Cash grants up to $1,000 each for small to mid-sized direct farm marketers. Initial application extending until April 23, 2020. - CARES Act Assistance for Small Businesses – Paycheck Protection Program Information from the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Added 04/03/2020)
- The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act (Added 04/02/2020)
- UT Extension’s Paycheck Protection Program Fact Sheet (Added 04/02/2020 and Updated 04/03/2020)
- Farmers’ Use of the Paycheck Protection Program Depends on ‘Small Business’ Definition (Added 04/02/2020)
- UT Extension’s Fact Sheet of Title II of the CARES Act: Assistance for American Workers, Families and Businesses (Added 04/02/2020)
- Are there financial programs to help farmers during the COVID-19 pandemic? (Added April 1, 2020)
- Financial Assistance Programs for Farmers (Added April 1, 2020)
- Coronavirus Emergency Loans: Small Business Guide and Checklist (Added March 31, 2020)
- Coronavirus-related Paid Leave and Tax Credits for Small and Mid Sized Businesses (Added 03/30/2020)
- Small Business Administration COVID-19 Small Business Guidance and Loan Resources (Added 03/30/2020)
- Paycheck Protection Program: Round II D 65-B (Added 12/10/2020)
- Paycheck Protection Program D 65-A (Added 12/10/2020)
- Paycheck Protection Program: Round III D 103 (Added 1/11/2021)
Webinars
- SBA Relief Loan Webinar for the Tennessee Grape and Wine Industry (Added 04/06/2020)
Thursday, April 9, 1pmCDT (View Recording) - National Federation of Independent Businesses Webinar Recordings (Added 04/06/2020)
- NFIB Coronavirus Part I: How Small Business, Workers and Workplaces Should Respond to COVID-19 – March 13
- NFIB Coronavirus Part II: Congressional and Legal Update for Small Business – March 20
- NFIB Coronavirus Part III: Financial Resources and Updates for Small Business – March 30
- NFIB Coronavirus Part IV: How to Apply for a Coronavirus Small Business Loan – April 3
Mental Health Resources
Tennessee Statewide Crisis Line
Telephone: 1-855-274-7471
Website
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Toll-free English: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
Toll-free Spanish: 1-888-628-9454
TTY: 1-800-799-4TTY (1-800-799-4889)
English Website
Spanish Website
For medical or life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1.
- Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network (Added 04/08/2020)
- AgriSafe Learning Lab – Mental Health Resources (Added 04/08/2020)
- Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks (Added 04/08/2020)
- Suicide Prevention Facts and Resources (Added 04/08/2020)
- Working Remotely During COVID-19: Your Mental Health and Well-being (Added April 9, 2020)
- Rural Resilience: Farm Stress Training (Added 07/28/2020)
COVID-19 Resources for Farmers Markets
- Farmers Market Twilight Q&A: Operating During the COVID-19 Pandemic (View Recording) (Slides) (Updated 05/15/2020)
- Social Distancing at Farmers Markets: Practical Tips for Managers and Vendors (Added 05/05/2020)
- COVID-19 and Farmers Markets Webinar (Added 05/01/2020)
- COVID-19 FAQ for Farmers Markets
- Continue Driving Sales During COVID-19: Is a Drive-Thru Market Right for You? Webinar Recording (Added 03/30/2020)
- Farmers Market Coalition Resource Listing for Farmers Markets
- Tennessee Association of Farmers Markets Resource List
- Drive-thru Farmers Markets Webinar (View Recording) (Additional Resources/Links) (Added 04/14/2020)
Resources for Farms and Specific Types of Value-Added, Direct Marketing and Agritourism Enterprises
- Keeping Agritourism Employees Healthy this Season (Added 09/04/2020)
- First Aid at Agritourism Venues during COVID-19 Pandemic (Added 09/04/2020)
- Agritourism Twilight Q&A: Operating During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Added 08/07/2020)
(View Recording) (Slides) (List of Additional Resources) (Questions and Answers from the Agritourism Twilight Q&A) - NAFDMA Agritourism Preparations for Fall (View Recording) (Additional Resources)
- A Guide for Community Gardens During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Added 07/07/2020)
- Considerations for Marketing Meat Twilight Q&A: Operating During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Added 05/14/2020)
(View Recording) (View Slides) (Updated 05/28/2020)
Resources for Farmers Interested in Marketing Meat (Added 06/03/2020) - Key Thoughts for Distribution (Added 05/05/2020)
- Tennessee Department of Agriculture Letter Connecting Producers with Food Banks (Added 04/24/2020)
- Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Twilight Q&A: Operating During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Added 04/23/2020)
Thursday, April 30, 2020 at pm CDT/9pm EDT (View Recording) (View Slides) - Garden Center Twilight Q&A: Operating During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Added 04/16/2020)
Thursday, April 23, 2020 at 8pm CDT/9pm EDT (View Recording) - Operating a Garden Center during the COVID-19 Pandemic (Added 05/14/2020)
- Cleaning, Sanitizing and Understanding Disinfection for Fresh Produce Growers (View Recording) (Session Notes) (Added 04/16/2020)
- Pick-Your-Own Twilight Q&A: Operating During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Hosted by UT Extension and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (Added 04/16/2020)
Thursday, April 16, 2020 at 8pm CDT/9pm EDT (View Recording)
Considerations for Operating a Pick-Your-Own Operation During the COVID-19 Pandemic – CPA Info #373 (Added 04/24/2020) - Managing a U-Pick Operation During the COVID-19 Crisis
Hosted by Ohio State University Extension
Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at 8pm EDT (View Recording) - COVID-19 Preventative Measures: Cloth Face Coverings for Food Employees (Added 04/21/2020)
- COVID-19 Resources for Ag Communities (Added 04/08/2020)
- Considerations on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) for Farm Operations
- Novel Coronavirus Prevention and Control for Farms (Added 03/30/2020)
- A Guide for Local Producers to Navigate the COVID-19 Outbreak
- Updates on the H-2A Program in the Midst of COVID-19
- Expansion of the Categories of H-2 Visa Applicants Whose Applications Can Be Decided Without an In-person Interview – Update as of March 27, 2020 (Added March 30, 2020) (English Version) (Spanish Version)
- Information to Protect Farmworkers and Their Employers in the Midst of COVID-19 (Added 04/14/2020)
- UT Vegetable Production COVID-19 Resources (Added 03/30/2020)
- You Are Going To Need A Different Marketing Plan
- COVID-19 FAQ for U-Pick Farms
- Letter from Tennessee’s Commissioner of Agriculture to Pick-Your-Own Farms (Added 04/06/2020)
- COVID-19 FAQ for Community Gardens (Added 03/30/2020
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) for Food Handlers (English version) (Spanish version)
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions for Take Out and Food Safety (Added 03/26/2020)
- Food Industry Executive: Coronavirus Resources for the Food Industry
- National Restaurant Association Coronavirus Information and Resources (Added 03/26/2020)
- COVID-19 Business Continuity and Planning Basics (Added 03/30/2020)
- EPA Disinfectants for Use Against COVID-19 (Added 03/30/2020)
- COVID-19 Considerations for Fruit and Vegetable Growers by University of Vermont Extension (Added 03/26/2020)
- Farm Commons (Farm Law Resources) Podcasts (Added 04/14/2020)
Resources for Farmers Considering New Market Channels
In the midst of the COVID-19 situation, producers may be thinking about marketing channel options. Online sales and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) may be among those options. Be mindful of the many factors that need to be considered before starting online sales or a CSA in any circumstance and, particularly, the special precautions that should be considered and followed related to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
- Choosing Direct Marketing Channels for Agricultural Products (PB1796)
- Collaborative Farming/Multifarm Direct to Consumer Marketing
- North Carolina Cooperative Extension Webinar
- Monday, April 27, 2020 at 7pm EDT (Join – Meeting ID 399 040 922)
Resources for Farmers Considering Farm to School Sales
The Tennessee Department of Education is seeking farmers that can sell their products to schools this spring and summer and will house farmers’ information in a database. Click here to submit your information to the database. To learn more about Farm to School and the specific needs of the schools during the current emergency, contact Rachel Draper, Farm to School Specialist with the TN Department of Education at Rachel.E.Draper@tn.gov with questions.
Resources for Farmers Considering Online Sales
- E-commerce for Direct Farm Marketers Twilight Q&A (View Recording) (Download Slides) (Updated 05/07/2020)
- Resources for Farmers Interested in Setting Up an Online Store (Added 05/08/2020)
- Considerations for Shipping Meat Products Sold Directly from the Farm (Added 05/06/2020)
- Farmer’s Guide to Direct Sales Software Platforms (Added 04/28/2020)
- Questions for Considering Online Sales Platforms for Farms Direct Marketing (Added 04/28/2020)
- Legal Risks of Online Platforms and CSA During COVID-19 Podcast (Added 04/28/2020)
- Online Sales Platforms for Aggregated Sales/Collaborative Marketing (Note this is from March 2018 so some information such as pricing may be out of date) (Added 04/28/2020)
- Create an Online Farm Store Webinar and Additional Resources (Added 04/28/2020)
- UPS Webinar: E-commerce Solutions to Help Your Business Adapt Today (Added 04/27/2020)
Thursday, April 30, 2020 at 1pm EDT (Learn More) - Promoting Your Products for Online Sales Webinar (View Recording and Download Slides) (Updated 05/05/2020)
- Touchless Transactions: E-Commerce Guidance for Rural Business Managers Considering Online Sales (Added 04/23/2020)
- Online Order Platforms for Farmers (Added 04/27/2020)
- Getting Started with Online Sales (View Recording) (Added 04/23/2020)
- E-Commerce During COVID-19: Opportunities for Food Producers to Make Direct Market Sales Online
Friday, April 24, 2020 at 12pm Eastern (View Recording) (Added 04/20/2020) - Using Online Platforms to Sell Locally Produced Foods to Consumers Webinar Recording (Added 03/30/2020)
- Ramp Up Your Online Ordering for Expanded Delivery or Curb-side Pickup Webinar Recording
- Online Sales Platforms for Farmers Webinar Recording
- Farm to Freezer: The Logistics of Online Sales and Shipping Meat Webinar
Thursday, April 2, 2020 at 11amCDT/12pmEDT (View Archived Recording) - E-Commerce for Direct Farm Marketers: An Overview of CSA E-Commerce Software and Case Studies of CSA Operations in Tennessee (PB1858)
- E-Commerce for Direct Farm Marketers: An Overview of Locallygrown.net and Case Studies of Online Markets in Tennessee (PB1857)
- E-Commerce for Direct Farm Marketers: An Overview of Local Harvest’s Store Catalog (D49)
- E-Commerce for Direct Farm Marketers: An Overview of Small Farm Central’s Site Builder (D48)
Resources for Farmers Considering a CSA
- Guide for CSA Farmers Amid COVID-19 (Added 04/28/2020)
- Legal Risks of Online Platforms and CSA During COVID-19 Podcast (Added 04/28/2020)
- A Farmer’s Guide to Marketing through Community Supported Agriculture (Added 04/21/2020)
- Are You Ready to Start a CSA?
- Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
- Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Resource Guide for Farmers
- Guide to Starting a Multi-farm CSA
- Community Supported Agriculture: New Models for Changing Markets
Contributions to this list have been made by UT Extension Specialists:
- Jared Bruhin, Center for Profitable Agriculture
- David Bilderback, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics – MANAGE
- Troy Dugger, Center for Profitable Agriculture
- Kevin Ferguson, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics – MANAGE
- Rob Holland, Center for Profitable Agriculture
- David Hughes, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics
- Megan Bruch Leffew, Center for Profitable Agriculture
- David Lockwood, Department of Plant Sciences
- Charley Martinez, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics
- Mark Morgan, Department of Food Science
- Danny Morris, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics – MANAGE
- Aaron Smith, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics
- Sreedhar Upendram, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics
- Margarita Velandia, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics
- Annette, Wszelaki, Department of Plant Sciences
Contributors from industry partners:
- Adam Acampora, Tennessee Farm Winegrowers Alliance
- Lee Manning, Mountain Harvest Kitchen
- Wendy Sneed, Tennessee Department of Agriculture
- Kacey Troup, Tennessee Department of Agriculture