NOTE – The State of California recently shipped 1.4 million N-95 masks to agricultural commissioners in 35 counties for wildfire smoke protection for farmworkers. This is part of that effort.

From a joint news release by the California Farmworker Foundation and the California Fresh Fruit Association

The California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) and California Farmworker Foundation (CFF) are pleased to announce they have distributed over 50,000 N-95 masks and single-use surgical masks to agricultural employees across the Central San Joaquin Valley.

Both organizations are appreciative of the quick action and partnership between the Fresno County Agricultural Commissioner, California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and Governor Gavin Newsom’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) to supply agricultural employees with much-needed protection while the air quality index levels are at unhealthy levels due to the wildfires in California.

CFFA President Ian LeMay stated, “The wellness of Central Valley agricultural employees is of paramount importance, as they are an essential part in keeping the food supply chain moving every day. We are grateful for the partnership between Fresno County Department of Agriculture, CFDA and Governor Newsom’s OES for their support to provide these employees with the resources they need to keep them healthy.”

CFF Executive Director Hernan Hernandez added “CFF’s mission is to provide support to California’s farmworkers, and having the ability to distribute these N-95 masks through our Ambassador program enables employees to stay safe while working outside. We are grateful to all of the partners that have contributed to this cause.”

From a California Association of Resource Conservation Districts news release

The California Association of Resource Conservation Districts (CARCD) is pleased to announce the award of COVID-19 Recovery Community Service grants to eight resource conservation districts (RCDs). The RCDs will receive mini-grants of $5,000 each to create positive impact and to support their communities as they deal with the consequences of COVID-19. Programs that will be funded by the grants include food pantry and community garden support, outdoors-related youth programs, water quality monitoring in farmworker communities, and farm worker safety. While small, the grants will have real impact, helping those most in need in California communities to weather the impacts of COVID-19.

Grantee RCDs include the Marin RCD, San Mateo RCD, RCD of Greater San Diego County, Placer County RCD, Napa County RCD, RCD of the Santa Monica Mountains, Trinity County RCD, and RCD of Tehama County. Read more about their projects below:

• Marin RCD: Small grants will help five to ten small farms develop COVID-19 response plans and implement protective measures to ensure employee sanitation needs are met such as the availability of face masks, sanitizers for hand and contact surfaces, hand wash stations, gloves, and digital thermometers.
• San Mateo RCD: The RCD will perform testing to address concerns about drinking water quality in the underserved community on the South Coast of San Mateo. The RCD plans to work closely with the community to perform testing and outreach, partnering with Puente de la Costa Sur, the only community resource center for the South Coast, and hiring a member of the same community to do the testing.
• RCD of Greater San Diego County: Funding will go to help community garden members suffering economic hardships due to COVID keep their garden plots by offering rent reduction to garden members. In addition, the RCD will donate CSA-style produce bags to local families in need.
• Placer County RCD: The RCD will purchase vegetable seedlings from local farms and nurseries and offer the plants for free to those in the community experiencing food insecurity. While some have the space and ability to plant fruits and vegetables at their homes, Placer will also offer space on their property for a community garden for those who need it.
• Napa County RCD: In partnership with Community Action of Napa Valley the RCD will help address unprecedented food security issues that many families are facing due to COVID-19. They will purchase desperately needed food for the community and further assist Community Action of Napa Valley by donating (as cost share) paid staff time to support the Food Bank with meal packing and distribution during the grant period.
• RCD of the Santa Monica Mountains: Students in California are expected to miss out on vital hours of science and environmental education in informal and/or outdoor settings because of COVID-19, with students in low income areas being disproportionately affected. To address this, RCDSMM will create a nature journaling program, an interactive way for young people to connect and reflect on the natural spaces around them.They will be working with schools with a high population of low income students.
• Trinity County RCD: The RCD normally supports the Weaverville Summer Day Camp, which has been cancelled for 2020 due to COVID-19. TCRCD will partner with multiple agencies to provide alternative environmental education opportunities for children and families through the Trinity Tracks Guidebook (an educational and exploration guide for families in Trinity County), and virtual environmental education lessons including take-home kits.
• RCD of Tehama County: The RCD will support home-based student learning and outdoor engagement with the natural world. The “RCDTC and Me” program will offer 6 activity kits during the grant term that are scheduled for pick-up in the county’s two main cities, Red Bluff and Corning. Each kit will contain a nature-based, hands-on activity that promotes outdoor exploration at their leisure. 

“RCDs are an essential part of our communities and are dedicated to serving them in times of stress,” said Karen Buhr, executive director of CARCD.  “We were thrilled with the response we got when we requested proposals from RCDs for the Community Service mini-grants. Each proposal we received demonstrated their commitment to serve their communities as well as their creative and determined approach to problem solving– the same characteristics that enable RCDs to get so much done with limited resources.”

The RCD’s projects are already underway, and will be completed by the end of October 2020. In addition to these projects, RCDs are continuing to serve their communities throughout the crisis by helping them prepare for wildfire, providing technical assistance to farmers and ranchers, restoring habitat for endangered species, and providing other essential services. Learn more about what RCDs are doing at carcd.org.

From a USDA News Release

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced the selection of recipients for about $4.1 million in grants and cooperative agreements through its new Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. These are the first-ever recipients of these grants and cooperative agreements.

“As the People’s Department, USDA supports and strengthens all types of agriculture, including the work being done by urban farmers and community gardeners,” Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey said. “I look forward to seeing the innovations in urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural practices that result from the agreements, including in community composting and food waste reduction.”

Added Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Greg Ibach, “The 578 applicants showcased the breadth of creativity in urban agriculture projects from non-profits, Tribal and local governments, and schools across the United States. We are excited to be a part of helping the selected projects improve their communities and support local agriculture and businesses.”

Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Competitive Grants

The Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UAIP) Competitive Grants Program supports a wide range of activities through two grant types, which are Planning Projects and Implementation Projects. Activities include operating community gardens and nonprofit farms, increasing food production and access in economically distressed communities, providing job training and education, and developing business plans and zoning. Priority was given to projects located in or targeting an Opportunity Zone, which is a census tract designation for low-income communities.

USDA is awarding approximately $1.14 million for three Planning Projects and approximately $1.88 million for seven Implementation Projects.

Planning Project recipients:

• Center for Land Based Learning, California (Yolo County) – The Center will produce a comprehensive urban agriculture assessment of West Sacramento. It will map and document current activities, identify opportunities for growth, and include recommendations to bolster the layers of positive impact urban agriculture has on communities.
• City of New Haven, Connecticut
• Feast Down East, North Carolina

Implementation Project recipients:

• Arkansas Interfaith Power and Light, Arkansas
• Association of Africans Living in Vermont, Vermont
• Common Ground Producers and Growers, Kansas
• Famicos Foundation, Ohio
• The Greenleaf Foundation, Georgia
• NY Sun Works, New York
• Parkside Business & Community in Partnership, New Jersey

Community Compost and Food Waste Reduction Projects

Through Community Compost and Food Waste Reduction (CCFWR) Projects, USDA is investing approximately $1.09 million in 13 pilot projects that develop and test strategies for planning and implementing municipal compost plans and food waste reduction. Priority was given to projects that anticipate or demonstrate economic benefits, incorporate plans to make compost easily accessible to farmers, including community gardeners, integrate other food waste strategies, including food recovery efforts, and collaborate with multiple partners.

Community Compost and Food Waste Reduction Project recipients:

• Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska
• City of Fayetteville, Arkansas
• City of Prescott, Arizona
• Boulder County, Colorado
• City of New Haven, Connecticut
• City of Gainesville, Florida
• Lake County, Illinois
• Douglas County, Kansas
• City of Paterson, New Jersey
• City of New York, New York
• Henderson County, North Carolina
• City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Prince William County, Virginia

Details

For a complete list of grant and cooperative agreement recipients and project summaries, visit farmers.gov/urban.

A webinar to discuss the Office of Urban Agriculture’s work will be held on Aug. 27 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. For the link and information on registration, see farmers.gov/urban.

Click here to visit web page

USDA News Release

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers disaster assistance and low-interest loan programs to assist agricultural producers in their recovery efforts following wildfires or other qualifying natural disasters.

Available programs and loans include:

• Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) – provides financial assistance to producers of non-insurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory, or prevented planting occur due to natural disasters including excessive wind and qualifying drought (includes native grass for grazing). Eligible producers must have purchased NAP coverage for 2017 crops. A notice of loss must be filed within 15 calendar days of when the loss is apparent or 15 calendar days after the normal harvest date.
• Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) – offers payments to eligible producers for livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality due to adverse weather. Eligible losses may include those determined by FSA to have been caused by wildfires, hurricanes, floods, blizzards, tropical storms, tornados, lightning, extreme heat, and extreme cold. Producers will be required to provide verifiable documentation of death losses resulting from an eligible adverse weather event and must submit a notice of loss to their local FSA office within 30 calendar days of when the loss of livestock is apparent.
• Tree Assistance Program (TAP) – provides assistance to eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers for qualifying tree, shrub and vine losses due to natural disasters including excessive wind and qualifying drought.

• Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) – provides emergency relief for losses due to feed or water shortages, disease, adverse weather, or other conditions, which are not adequately addressed by other disaster programs. ELAP covers physically damaged or destroyed livestock feed that was purchased or mechanically harvested forage or feedstuffs intended for use as feed for the producer’s eligible livestock. In order to be considered eligible, harvested forage must be baled; forage that is only cut, raked or windrowed is not eligible. ELAP also covers up to 150 lost grazing days in instances when a producer has been forced to remove livestock from a grazing pasture due to wildfire and for beekeepers, ELAP covers beehive losses (the physical structure) in instances where the hive has been destroyed by a natural disaster including flooding, high winds and tornadoes. Producers must submit a notice of loss to their local FSA office within 30 calendar days of when the loss is apparent.
• Emergency Loan Program – available to producers with agriculture operations located in a county under a primary or contiguous Presidential or Secretarial disaster designation. These low interest loans help producers recover from production and physical losses.
• Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) – provides emergency funding for farmers and ranchers to rehabilitate land severely damaged by natural disasters; includes fence loss.
• HayNet – is an Internet-based Hay and Grazing Net Ad Service allowing farmers and ranchers to share ‘Need Hay’ ads and ‘Have Hay’ ads online. Farmers also can use another feature to post advertisements for grazing land, specifically ads announcing the availability of grazing land or ads requesting a need for land to graze.

For more information on these programs, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/disaster or contact your local FSA office.

How to Document Wildfire Losses

Producers who suffered excessive livestock death losses and grazing or feed losses due to recent wildfires may be eligible for disaster assistance programs through the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA).

The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) offers payments to eligible producers for livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality due to adverse weather and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP)provides emergency relief for losses due to feed or water shortages, disease, adverse weather, or other conditions, which are not adequately addressed by other disaster programs.

To participate in LIP, producers will be required to provide verifiable documentation of death losses resulting from an eligible adverse weather event and must submit a notice of loss to their local FSA office within 30 calendar days of when the loss of livestock is apparent. To participate in ELAP, producers must submit a notice of loss to their local FSA office within 30 calendar days of when the loss is apparent and should maintain documentation and receipts.

Producers should record all pertinent information regarding livestock losses due to the eligible adverse weather or loss condition, including:

• Documentation of the number, kind, type, and weight range of livestock that have died, supplemented if possible by photographs or video records of ownership and losses;
• Rendering truck receipts by kind, type and weight – important to document prior to disposal;
• Beginning inventory supported by birth recordings or purchase receipts;
• Documentation from Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Department of Natural Resources, or other sources to substantiate eligible death losses due to an eligible loss condition;
• Documentation that livestock were removed from grazing pastures due to an eligible adverse weather or loss condition;
• Costs of transporting livestock feed to eligible livestock, such as receipts for equipment rental fees for hay lifts and snow removal;
• Feed purchase receipts if feed supplies or grazing pastures are destroyed;
• Number of gallons of water transported to livestock due to water shortages.

For more information on these programs and documentation requirements, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/disaster or contact your local FSA office.

From a Cal-OSHA news release

Cal/OSHA is reminding employers that California’s protection from wildfire smoke standard is still in effect, and they must take steps to protect their workers from harmful exposure to unhealthy air due to wildfire smoke.

“Employers are obligated to protect their outdoor workers and must evaluate the health hazards posed by wildfire smoke,” said Cal/OSHA Chief Doug Parker. “If employers cannot move operations indoors where air is adequately filtered and they do not have access to respiratory protection, they may need to halt operations until the outdoor air quality improves.”

Smoke from wildfires contains chemicals, gases and fine particles that can harm health. The greatest hazard comes from breathing fine particles in the air (called PM2.5), which can reduce lung function, worsen asthma or other existing heart and lung conditions, and cause coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing. These types of respiratory conditions also make the effects of COVID-19 more severe.

If employers move operations indoors or into enclosed spaces, they should be sure to follow guidelines for prevention of COVID-19 transmission in the workplace.

When wildfire smoke affects a worksite, employers must monitor the air quality index (AQI) for PM2.5. Employers can monitor the AQI using the following websites:

• U.S. EPA AirNow website
• U.S. Forest Service Wildland Air Quality Response Program website
• California Air Resources Board website
• Local air pollution control district websites or local air quality management district website

If the AQI for PM2.5 is 151 or greater, employers must take the following steps to protect employees:

• Communication – Inform employees of the AQI for PM2.5 and the protective measures available to them.
• Training and Instruction – Provide effective training and instruction to all employees on the information contained in section 5141.1 Appendix B.
• Modifications – Implement modifications to the workplace, if feasible, to reduce exposure. Examples include providing enclosed structures or vehicles for employees to work in, where the air is filtered.
• Changes – Implement practicable changes to work procedures or schedules. Examples include changing the location where employees work or reducing the amount of time they work outdoors or exposed to unfiltered outdoor air.
• Respiratory protection – Provide proper respiratory protection equipment, such as disposable respirators, for voluntary use. 
  • To filter out fine particles, respirators must be labeled N-95, N-99, N-100, R-95, P-95, P-99, or P-100, and must be labeled as approved by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

“Cal/OSHA is working diligently to identify viable available temporary alternatives that would provide workers with an acceptable alternative to a compliant respirator such as an N-95 mask,” added Chief Parker.

CalOES and the California Department of Food and Agriculture are working in partnership to provide approximately one million N-95 masks to help protect farmworkers from wildfire smoke. County Agricultural Commissioners in affected counties will distribute the masks.

If the AQI for PM2.5 exceeds 500, respirator use is required. Employers must ensure employees uses respirators and implement a respiratory protection program as required in California’s respiratory standard. For information or help on developing a respiratory protection program, see Cal/OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Fact Sheet.

Guidance for employers and workers on working safely in conditions with smoke caused by the wildfires is available on Cal/OSHA’s web page, including information for protecting outdoor workers, details on how to protect indoor workers from outdoor air pollution, and frequently asked questions about N95 masks.

Information on current wildfires is available from CalFire and the Incident Information System website.

Cal/OSHA helps protect workers from health and safety hazards on the job in almost every workplace in California. Employers and workers who have questions or need assistance with workplace health and safety programs can call Cal/OSHA’s Consultation Services Branch at 800-963-9424.

Complaints about workplace safety and health hazards can be filed confidentially with Cal/OSHA district offices. Employees with work-related questions or complaints may contact DIR’s Call Center in English or Spanish at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734).

Fairgrounds in Solano, Napa, Nevada, Monterey, Los Angeles and Plumas counties have been activated to provide emergency shelter to people and animals in the path of series of fires in California.

Horses, goats, chickens, sheep and donkeys are among the animals currently being sheltered. They will be cared for as long as necessary and every effort will be made to reunite them with their owners.

This emergency function is yet another example of how California’s network of fairs partners with local communities as public assets and essential institutions that serve Californians in many important ways.

The California Independent System Operator (CAISO), which oversees the operation of California’s bulk electric power system, transmission lines, and electricity market, offers the following guidelines for reducing energy consumption during the current heat wave:

• Set your thermostat to 78° or higher between 3 and 10 P.M.
• Refrain from major appliance use between 3 and 10 P.M.
• Turn off unnecessary lights and appliances

Additional steps and guidance for individuals & businesses:

• Adjust Your Thermostat
  • During peak hours or when you’re not home, remember to set your thermostat at 78° or higher. Setting your air conditioner 5° higher can save up to 20 percent on cooling costs.
  • Pre-cool your home by running air conditioning at 72 degrees in the early part of the day (when it is more efficient) then turn your system to 78 or higher during the hottest part of the day when demand is the highest.
  • Use smart or programmable features to help maintain energy savings when you’re not home.
• Close Windows and Doors
  • Keep windows and doors closed to prevent the loss of cooled or heated air.
  • On summer nights, open windows to let cooler air in when safe. In the morning before the day starts to heat up, close windows and blinds to keep warm air out.
  • Tilt blinds up and close drapes and shades on windows that receive direct sunlight.
• Smart Energy Use
  • Turn off unnecessary lighting and use task or desktop lamps with LEDs instead of overhead lights.
  • Enable “power management” on all computers and turn off when not in use.
  • Unplug phone charges, power strips (those without a switch) and other equipment when not in use. Taken together, these small items can use as much power as your refrigerator.
• Access and Functional Needs
  • Check in on neighbors, friends and family who may be at risk.
  • Charge medical devices in off hours and have back up plan for if the power goes out.
  • In addition to traditional community support channels, individuals with access and functional needs should reach out to local government for assistance.
  • Contact local utilities companies if you are dependent on power for assistive devices.
• Major Appliance Use
  • Postpone using major appliances like the oven, dishwasher, clothes washer, and dryer until cooler times of the day to avoid heating up your home.
  • Run your dishwasher and clothes washer only when full. Wait until after 9 p.m. to use these and other major appliances.
  • When possible, wash clothes in cold water. About 90 percent of the energy used in a clothes washer goes to water heating.
• Clean or Replace Your Filters
  • A dirty filter forces your air conditioner and furnace to work harder, wasting money, using more energy or natural gas.
• Adjust Your Water Heater
  • Turn your water heater down to 120° or the “normal” setting. Water heating accounts for about 13 percent of home energy costs.
• Conservation Programs
  • Consider participating in your utility’s demand response program. These voluntary programs are short, temporary measures to reduce energy consumption when power supplies are critically low and a Flex Alert has been issued. Contact your local electric utility to learn about your utility’s program and incentives they may offer to participate.

See this link for more at CAISO web site

As the West Coast continues to experience an historic heat wave and related energy shortages, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an emergency proclamation designed to free up energy capacity and reduce the need for temporary energy service disruptions.

The proclamation temporarily allows some energy users and utilities to use backup energy sources to relieve pressure on the grid during peak times during the energy emergency. The text of the proclamation can be found here and a copy can be found here.

Over the weekend, state officials worked aggressively to bring more energy resources online, including increased generation from sources like the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the California State Water Project and investor-owned utilities. The state has also worked with industrial and commercial consumers to reduce energy consumption during peak hours and to increase public awareness around energy saving measures.

All-hands energy meeting

The Governor yesterday convened an all-hands meeting with California Independent System Operator (CAISO), the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the California Energy Commission (CEC), the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and senior administration officials as the state and the entire West Coast anticipates serious power shortages as the heat wave intensifies over the coming week.

Governor Newsom demands investigation

Following the meeting, Governor Newsom sent a letter to CAISO, the CPUC and CEC demanding an investigation into the service disruptions that occurred over the weekend and the energy agencies’ failure to predict and mitigate them.

“I write today to express my deep concern about the broadscale de-energizations experienced by too many Californians on August 14 and 15^th. These blackouts, which occurred without prior warning or enough time for preparation, are unacceptable and unbefitting of the nation’s largest and most innovative state,” Governor Newsom wrote. “Residents, communities and other governmental organizations did not receive sufficient warning that these de-energizations could occur. Collectively, energy regulators failed to anticipate this event and to take necessary actions to ensure reliable power to Californians. This cannot stand. California residents and businesses deserve better from their government.”

Guidance to residents and businesses to conserve power

Yesterday, CAISO issued a statewide Flex Alert calling for voluntary electricity conservation, beginning Sunday and extending through Wednesday. The Flex Alerts are in effect from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. each day.

CAISO highlighted three simple actions individuals and businesses can take to reduce energy consumption:

• Set your thermostat to 78° or higher between 3 and 10 P.M.
• Refrain from major appliance use between 3 and 10 P.M.
• Turn off unnecessary lights and appliances

Additional steps and guidance for individuals & businesses:

• Adjust Your Thermostat
  • During peak hours or when you’re not home, remember to set your thermostat at 78° or higher. Setting your air conditioner 5° higher can save up to 20 percent on cooling costs.
  • Pre-cool your home by running air conditioning at 72 degrees in the early part of the day (when it is more efficient) then turn your system to 78 or higher during the hottest part of the day when demand is the highest.
  • Use smart or programmable features to help maintain energy savings when you’re not home.
• Close Windows and Doors
  • Keep windows and doors closed to prevent the loss of cooled or heated air.
  • On summer nights, open windows to let cooler air in when safe. In the morning before the day starts to heat up, close windows and blinds to keep warm air out.
  • Tilt blinds up and close drapes and shades on windows that receive direct sunlight.
• Smart Energy Use
  • Turn off unnecessary lighting and use task or desktop lamps with LEDs instead of overhead lights.
  • Enable “power management” on all computers and turn off when not in use.
  • Unplug phone charges, power strips (those without a switch) and other equipment when not in use. Taken together, these small items can use as much power as your refrigerator.
• Access and Functional Needs
  • Check in on neighbors, friends and family who may be at risk.
  • Charge medical devices in off hours and have back up plan for if the power goes out.
  • In addition to traditional community support channels, individuals with access and functional needs should reach out to local government for assistance.
  • Contact local utilities companies if you are dependent on power for assistive devices.
• Major Appliance Use
  • Postpone using major appliances like the oven, dishwasher, clothes washer, and dryer until cooler times of the day to avoid heating up your home.
  • Run your dishwasher and clothes washer only when full. Wait until after 9 p.m. to use these and other major appliances.
  • When possible, wash clothes in cold water. About 90 percent of the energy used in a clothes washer goes to water heating.
• Clean or Replace Your Filters
  • A dirty filter forces your air conditioner and furnace to work harder, wasting money, using more energy or natural gas.
• Adjust Your Water Heater
  • Turn your water heater down to 120° or the “normal” setting. Water heating accounts for about 13 percent of home energy costs.
• Conservation Programs
  • Consider participating in your utility’s demand response program. These voluntary programs are short, temporary measures to reduce energy consumption when power supplies are critically low and a Flex Alert has been issued. Contact your local electric utility to learn about your utility’s program and incentives they may offer to participate.

Infographic courtesy of the California Department of Health Services