Farmworkers across California wary of coronavirus spread [Associated Press]
… Agriculture groups and union leaders are urging employers to take extra precautions to prevent the outbreak from spreading among California’s farmworkers, who are already in short supply. Workers getting sidelined by illness could jeopardize crop yields and disrupt the food supply. … To address conditions at the thousands of farms that the California Farm Bureau Federation represents, its president, Jamie Johansson, said he has told farms to have workers go out in smaller groups “when possible.” His organization also says hand-washing on farms is routine for food safety reasons.
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/10859687-181/story.html?sba=AAS
‘No campaign to protect the workers’ | Farm worker safety troubles advocates [KXTV, Sacramento]
… “There is no campaign from growers or labor contractors to try to protect the workers,” said Stockton farm worker advocate Luis Magana. … But, the California Farm Bureau Federation says it is making efforts to ensure contractors and growers are educating their workers. … “We’re looking for new materials, new resources and new ways to deliver those resources to our folks and our farming operations. Everybody needs to be better educated on this. Everybody needs to do a better job of taking care of their jobs and their families,” said Bruce Blodgett, Executive Director of the San Joaquin Farm Bureau Federation.
Opinion: We must assure the health of farmworkers [Monterey Herald]
… Growers and other agricultural employers must inform farmworkers to space apart during breaks … These policies should be consistently reinforced and required of all farm labor contractors and growers. … During this pandemic, employers need to provide more wash stations than the regulations currently require — with warm water if possible and, as a backup, hand sanitizer at each row of crops. And, at least during this emergency, farm labor contractors and growers need to compensate farmworkers at their regular rate even if more time is spent making sure workers and produce are safe.
https://www.montereyherald.com/2020/03/28/guest-opinion-we-must-assure-the-health-of-farmworkers/
Don’t worry about supermarket shelves. Worry about farmers. [The New Republic]
… The ongoing coronavirus epidemic has shifted American markets, changed typical spending patterns, and closed international borders. While industry experts promise it has not led to a food shortage in the United States—despite the empty supermarket shelves—it is adding a lot of uncertainty to the food and farming industries and could tee up a long-term crisis down the line. … “A couple years ago we had a decent crop, and getting enough labor to pick the cherries and process was even a problem then,” said Bruce Blodgett, executive director of the San Joaquin Farm Bureau Federation in California. “This is something we’ve never had to deal with, a pandemic of this nature.”
https://newrepublic.com/article/157088/supermarket-shelves-farmers-coronavirus
Farmers worry they’re left out of coronavirus relief. California lawmaker wants to fix it [McClatchy News Service]
A California congressman is calling for the White House Coronavirus Task Force to represent more agriculture interests, as worries increase about a shortage of workers and how that could impact food production. … Farmers say they’re doing all right, but some have expressed some concerns about their employees. Farmers are reporting a shortage of immigrant workers and a lack of medical protective equipment like masks. Rep. Josh Harder, D-Turlock, wrote to Vice President Mike Pence, who is leading the task force comprised of more than a dozen top government officials, asking that agriculture interests also be represented on the task force going forward.
https://www.modbee.com/news/local/article241558351.html
Sunsweet temporarily halts processing plant operations following confirmed COVID-19 cases [Marysville Appeal-Democrat]
Sunsweet, one of the Yuba-Sutter area’s biggest employers, halted operations out of its global headquarters in Yuba City through Sunday after two of its administrative employees recently tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). … [T]he company made the decision to close its facility over the weekend for cleaning to ensure the health and safety of workers and that long-term production can continue, said Harold Schenker, general counsel for Sunsweet Growers Inc.
Largest US dam removal stirs debate over coveted West water [Associated Press]
… With so many competing demands, the Klamath River has come to symbolize a larger struggle over the increasingly precious water resources of the U.S. West, and who has the biggest claim to them.
Now, plans to demolish four hydroelectric dams on the river’s lower reaches to save salmon — the largest such demolition project in U.S. history — have placed those competing interests in stark relief. … Those farmers won’t be directly affected by the demolition but worry it will set a precedent that could eventually endanger the dams they rely on. … Farmer Ben DuVal said he’s optimistic the demolition will help restore salmon but also has “some real concerns.”
