An exciting piece of news last week was the preview of the Michigan Agricultural Safety Grant program, which allocates
$15 Million
to worker protection initiatives, including hygiene training, sanitation, personal protective equipment, social distancing and screening or testing.
$1,000 per worker can be applied for by a farm with a minimum of 10 employees and a maximum of 50 employees, including contract H2A workers and temporary/seasonal workers or a processing facility with a minimum of 20 employees up to 200 employees.
Based on communication from growers that have experienced COVID-19 outbreaks or the need to quarantine exposed workers, this season, developing safeguards for quarantining and isolation through supplemental housing, additional break areas and toilet and hand-washing facilities should be at the top of the budgeting list for growers applying for this reimbursement opportunity. Apply through Greenstone Farm Credit Services by clicking the link below.