COVID-19 Daily Farmers Update

3/21/2020:

As of 3/21/2020, 10:30 am: 5,276 SARS-CoV-2 tests were performed in NC, and 184 people were tested positive for the virus. No COVID-19 related death case has been reported. NCDHHS Coronavirus Information Page

N.C. Cooperative Extension has developed two response pages for N.C. Farming Community:

• NC State COVID-19 Food Safety Resources
• COVID-19 Farmers Market Guidelines
• COVID-19 U-Pick Guidelines
• COVID-19 Community Garden Guidelines

Please take our survey:

TAKE OUR COVID-19 SURVEY

NC County Extension Center Updates:

N.C. Cooperative Extension County centers are available to assist your community. In most counties, offices are still open, but with limitations. People can reach out through email, phone call (voicemail if the call is not answered), and other technical methods. An appointment is needed in some counties.

• Alexander Co. Cooperative Extension Center has moved all programming online
• Alleghany Co. Cooperative Extension Center encourages the public to make appointments before coming in.
• Ashe Co. Cooperative Extension Center has cancelled all events and meetings
• Avery Co. Cooperative Extension Center has cancelled all events and meetings
• Beaufort Co. Cooperative Extension Center encourages people to reach out for technical assistance via email or phone
• Buncombe Co. Cooperative Extension Center is closed to the public
• Burke Co. Cooperative Extension Center is limiting access to the public. Appointments only
• Cabarrus Co. Cooperative Extension Center will be closed on Monday (3/23/2020). Staff are still available by phone and email. Classes and Programs are canceled.
• Caldwell Co. Cooperative Extension Center is closed to the public. Contact via phone or email.
• Carteret Co. Cooperative Extension Center has locked the building, please call for assistance.
• Catawba Co. Cooperative Extension Center encourages people to reach out for technical assistance via email or phone.
• Chatham Co. Cooperative Extension Center encourages people to reach out for technical assistance via email or phone.
• Chowan Co. Cooperative Extension Center is open, call for any assistance.
• Clay Co. Cooperative Extension Center doesn’t allow visitors in the office but staff can be contacted by calling or email through April 1st.
• Cumberland Co. Cooperative Extension Center is currently closed to the public, Staff are available for assistance by phone.
• Currituck Co. Cooperative Extension Center offers access by appointment only. Please call to schedule an appointment.
• Dare Co. Cooperative Extension Center is closed to the public until further notice. Staff are still available via phone or email.
• Davie Co. Cooperative Extension Center was closed to the public, but agents are still available. Please call for assistance.
• Durham Co. Cooperative Extension Center is open with limited service. Email and phone services are available.
• Forsyth Co. Cooperative Extension Center encourages all members of the public to conduct business without coming into the Extension Office.
• Halifix Co. Cooperative Extension Center has limited access. Please call for any assistance.
• Harnett Co Cooperative Extension Center will be closed for public access.
• Haywood Co. Cooperative Extension Center is closed to the public.
• Hertford Co. Cooperative Extension encourages the public to conduct business via phone/email.
• Hoke Co. Cooperative Extension Center will be closed by coming Monday, 3/23/20 due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Please visit the link to get COVID-19 updates
• Lee Co. Cooperative Extension Center will be close to the public.
• Lenoir Co. Cooperative Extension Center will be closed to the public. Appointment only!
• Madison Co. Cooperative Extension Center is closed to the public.
• Mecklenburg Co. Cooperative Extension Center will be closed by coming Monday, 3/23/20 due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Please visit the link to get COVID-19 updates
• Mitchell Co. Cooperative Extension Center has cancelled all meetings and events
• Montgomery Co. Cooperative Extension Center will be closed by coming Monday, 3/23/20 due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Please visit the link to get COVID-19 updates
• Moore Co. Cooperative Extension Center staff will be available online or via phone/email.
• Onslow Co. Cooperative Extension has reduced face-to-face interactions. Appointment only.
• Pasquotank Co. Cooperative Extension Center is open by appointment only.
• Pitt Co. Cooperative Extension Center is open by appointment only.
• Polk Co. Cooperative Extension Center is currently closed.
• Randolph Co. Cooperative Extension Center has postponed all classes and workshops.
• Rockingham Co. Cooperative Extension Center encourages people to call in before coming in person.
• Rutherford Co. Cooperative Extension Center is closed to visitors.
• Sampson Co. Cooperative Extension Center will be closed by coming Monday, 3/23/20 due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Please visit the link to get COVID-19 updates
• Scotland Co. Cooperative Extension Center is closed and accepts clients only by appointment
• Stanly Co. Cooperative Extension Center will be closed by coming Monday, 3/23/20 due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Please visit the link to get COVID-19 updates
• Stokes Co. Cooperative Extension Center asks to call and make an appointment before coming into their office.
• Surry Co. Cooperative Extension Center has cancelled all events until further notice.
• Swain Co. Cooperative Extension Center will be closed until 3/27/20
• Wake Co. Cooperative Extension Center will be closed by coming Monday, 3/23/20 due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Please visit the link to get COVID-19 updates.

• Methods of engaging and supporting your local food system: Farmers markets, Purchasing from farmers and small business, Food Banks and Food Pantries, Food Policy Councils.  Update from Bertie County.
• Find your local farmers. Consumers can stay in touch with farmers by looking through farm websites and following local food communities on social media, such as Facebook, Instagram. e.g., “Eat Drink and Be Local Facebook page and Instagram” established by Catawba County. Update from Catawba County
  • COVID-19 Family Resources
  • COVID-19 resources for parents
  • Locating and Registering Health Care Powers of Attorney
  • NC Court Trial Days extended 30 days
  Plant Disease and Insect Clinic will now be closing for the next two weeks. Extension Plant Pathology

COVID-19: Financial Assistance (by Whit Winslow, NCDA&CS) :

• NCDOR issues a limited-waiver of certain penalties on failure to file or pay a tax due between March 14, 2020, and March 31, 2020
• Important Notice: NC Department of Revenue Provides Penalty Relief to Persons Affected by COVID-19 
• N.C. 2-1-1 helps families and individuals find information and resources in their community.  (COVID-19 Health Tips) 
• Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog FAQ’s for Employers
• RAFI Grants: COVID-19 Response and Resources

Covid-19 related Webinars:

• ECOLAB Hospitality Resource Library for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Agri Safe will hold a webinar on Coronavirus and it’s impact on farmers on Monday, Mar 23, at noon CST.