Author: Justin Ballew
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Update to Small Business Administration COVID-19 Related Loans
From the Clemson Extension Agribusiness Team. The Small Business Administration (SBA) has been administering two particular pots of money that businesses have been able to access during the COVID-19 pandemic. These pots of money were first funded through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) and are called the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)…
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Field Update – 4/20/20
Coastal Zack Snipes reports, “We had severe storms roll through the Lowcountry at the beginning of last week. Fortunately, we had very little damage to most of our crops. We had some damage to older squash and zucchini and some damage to untied tomatoes. For the most part, we escaped with little to moderate damage…
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Field Update – 4/13/20
All of SC is now under a “Home or Work” order from Governor McMaster. Farming is an essential industry, so Commissioner Weathers has issued this Notice of Essential Food and Agricultural Employee form that farms may fill out for each employee certifying them as an essential employee. Employees should keep this form with them while…
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Field Update – 4/6/20
At this point, only a few cities (Columbia, Charleston, and Myrtle Beach) have issued shelter-in-place orders. The Commissioner of Agriculture, Hugh Weathers, has drafted a Notice of Essential Food and Agriculture Employee form that farms in these areas may fill out for each employee certifying them as an essential employee. They should keep this letter with…
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Is Your Business Having Cash Flow Problems due to COVID-19?
From Clemson Agribusiness Associate Steve Richards. The CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act has been in the news recently. You may have heard stories about emergency loans, cash for individuals, and cash for small businesses. While the details are still being hammered out in Washington, these are some steps you can take right…
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Field Update – 3/30/20
At this time, due to COVID-19, all in-person Clemson Extension meetings have been postponed through June 1st. Keep an eye on the COVID-19 Resources page for updates. The SCDA’s list of farms offering deliveries and pick-ups has grown significantly in the last week. View or contact LauraKate McAllister to be added to the list here.…
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Field Update – 3/23/20
COVID-19 continues to be a major concern for produce farmers and consumers. We’ve put together a new tab labeled “COVID-19 Resources” which includes a number of resources from Clemson, SC Dept. of Agriculture, SC Farm Bureau, and Carolina Farm Stewardship Association. Additions are being made regularly, so check back often. Also, AgriSafe is offering a…
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Field Update – 3/16/20
COVID-19 has become a concern for fruit and vegetable growers, especially those expecting to open U-Pick operations in the coming weeks. It is unknown at this time how the virus, quarantines, and closures will affect produce sales. Updates will be shared on the SC Grower each week in regards to this issue. In the meantime,…
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COVID-19 Protective Measures for U-Pick Farms
From Clemson Food Safety Agent, Chad Carter. Chad has also distributed these plans (Handwashing_station_instructions-1) for constructing handwashing stations for field workers and U-pick customers. As COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) is being monitored across the State of South Carolina, growers have questions as to whether to continue operations, especially at U-Pick farms. The Food and Agriculture Organization…
The South Carolina Grower 