Farmers get billions in virus aid, and Democrats are wary [New York Times]
… The administration is starting to send farmers tens of billions more to offset losses from the coronavirus pandemic, raising questions about how the money will be allocated and whether there is sufficient oversight to guard against partisan abuse of the program. Months before an election in which some farm states are major battlegrounds, Democrats and other critics of the administration’s agriculture policies are expressing concern that the new subsidies, provided by Congress with bipartisan backing, could be doled out to ensure President Trump continues to win the backing of one of his key voting blocs.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/07/us/politics/virus-trump-aid-farmers.html
Napa County OKs wineries to reopen to public [Napa Valley Register]
Napa County has given the county’s wineries the green light to reopen their tasting rooms to the public, a county spokesperson confirmed late Friday afternoon. … Wineries are now permitted to reopen at their discretion, Napa County spokesperson Elizabeth Scott said. … Napa County Public Health Officer Karen Relucio, after considering “local conditions and disease epidemiology,” found that it would be “prudent to now allow wineries to reopen,” Scott said.
Farmers markets in Sonoma County adjust to coronavirus rules [Santa Rosa Press Democrat]
… Equipped with masks and a willingness to adjust to new protocols, such as keeping proper distance and no longer personally gripping the perfect peach, the markets have sustained themselves with smaller crowds as they prep for the fast-approaching peak harvest season. … Shoppers’ concerns about contracting COVID-19 at high-traffic grocery stores led to an initial spike of patrons at the region’s farmers markets, according to Kayla Hayden, senior market manager for the Walnut Creek-based California Farmers’ Markets Association, which oversees markets across the Bay Area.
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/10988188-181/farmers-markets-in-sonoma-county
Justice Department issues subpoenas to beef-processing giants [Wall Street Journal]
The Justice Department is deepening federal antitrust scrutiny of the $213 billion U.S. meat industry, following complaints from farmers and meat buyers about industry pricing practices. The department recently issued civil subpoenas to the four biggest beef processors, JBS USA Holdings Inc., Tyson Foods Inc., Cargill Inc. and National Beef Packing Co., according to people familiar with the matter. … Cattle ranchers for months have called on federal authorities to probe the companies that control the U.S. beef industry.
Fact check: Cattle farmers are paid less, consumers pay more amid beef shortage [USA Today]
… It is true that there is a difference in the prices consumers pay for meat at grocery stores and the prices for cattle being paid to farmers. The federal government is investigating potential market manipulation by meat processing companies. It is false to declare there is no meat shortage. Processing plant shutdowns during the coronavirus outbreak have significantly cut the amount of beef and pork processed this year.
Opinion: Close to Home: Getting local food from farm to table [Santa Rosa Press Democrat]
… Work to provide processing options for our local farmers has been ongoing for many months prior to this pandemic. However, with escalated concerns brought on by the crisis, in the coming months you will see government, business groups, farmers and ranchers working together to fix this Achilles’ heel in our food chain. Everyone in Northern California must support this effort for the future of agriculture and the well-being of our families.
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/opinion/10973196-181/close-to-home-getting-local
