Adapting to a Covid-19 World
Beginning farmers all around Indiana are adapting to the realities of selling local food amidst these wild times. We are impressed with all of your creative and safe solutions, from drive-thru farm stands to pop-up markets, brand-new online stores to crystal-clear communication with your supporters about how they can support local farms and eat good food during this uncertain time. Good work, team!
We'll be adding the resources you need to navigate and adjust. As of 3/24/2020, here are some key resources for farmers selling directly to customers:
We'll be adding the resources you need to navigate and adjust. As of 3/24/2020, here are some key resources for farmers selling directly to customers:
Covid-19 Response from Our Friends at the National Young Farmers Coalition
NYFC has put together a response fitting of a farmer-focused organization (that is: practical). Click here for their resource page. As of 3/24/2020, they are also asking for your input: how can NYFC help farmers? The survey is available here.
Boilerplate Letter for Showing Your Essential Role in the Food System
Indiana's Stay-At-Home Order goes into effect as of 3/25/2020. Agriculture is considered critical infrastructure, and so farm-related travel is permitted.
Although the State's FAQ says that law enforcement will not be stopping vehicles out during the Stay-At-Home order, the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) has issued some guidance on the issue. The ISDA has provided a template letter that you can adapt, to show that your trips off-farm (to sell your food, to buy supplies, to go to the butcher, etc., etc.). We will add more info here as we learn about this!
Template Letter: essential_food_and_agricultural_employee.docx
Although the State's FAQ says that law enforcement will not be stopping vehicles out during the Stay-At-Home order, the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) has issued some guidance on the issue. The ISDA has provided a template letter that you can adapt, to show that your trips off-farm (to sell your food, to buy supplies, to go to the butcher, etc., etc.). We will add more info here as we learn about this!
Template Letter: essential_food_and_agricultural_employee.docx
Webinar on Covid-19 from PASA Sustainable Farming
Covid-19 Guidance from Purdue Extension
The good folks who bring you the Small Farm Conference and serve as resources year round via the Diversified Food and Farm Systems team have put together excellent guidance:
- Two guides for local food producers: one that covers adapting everything from production to crop scheduling, and one that focuses on alternative delivery options.
- A guide helping farmer's markets operate and adapt (and keep serving their communities!)
- A consumer guide for buying local amid Covid-19
(FREE!) Resources for Learning - - Did we mention that they are Free?
These folks have a heart of gold: they know you might be trying some new production methods, crops, marketing, etc. to adapt, so they are taking down their paywalls to help farmers learn:
- Cornell Small Farms Program: Their classes (normally $300!) are FREE. Note: be sure to enter the coupon code "COVID19" during checkout. They have indepth classes on everything from sheep flock management to using Quickbooks.
- ATTRA: All technical materials are available for free download.
Know of other resources that we should share? Email us at info@hoosieryfc.org, and we'll get the word out to other young farmers!
Check back for additional resources - and follow us on Instagram and Facebook as we share ideas about adapting to a Covid-19 world.
Resources for Beginning Farmers
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Starting a farm is, well, kind of a big deal. We’ve compiled a few of the resources that have been especially useful to members of the Hoosier Young Farmers Coalition.
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