EAST AURORA, N.Y. — As the COVID-19 global pandemic began impacting the Western New York region and with most New York State business sectors on “pause,” farmers were among those deemed to be “essential workers.” While that classification may seem obvious, protecting the health and safety of farmers and farm workers quickly became a critical concern. New York State’s Department of Agriculture and Markets was charged with making hard to find and costly sanitizer and face coverings available to farms and related agricultural operations at no cost. The State looked to Cornell Cooperative Extension, with extensive connections to local farms, to establish systems to distribute sanitizer and cloth face coverings to farms across the state.
Erie County’s COVID-19 positive test rate and hospitalizations and deaths have been the highest in the State outside of the New York City area. Knowing that has made providing personal protection equipment and supplies to farms of utmost importance, especially as the region continues with reopening plans and with the cropping season now well underway. “It’s not just about avoiding getting sick, spreading infections, or worse,” said Diane Held, CCE-Erie Executive Director, “most farms would find it difficult or impossible to bring in replacement workers on short notice if current farm operators and workers are sick for any length of time.” “Plus,” she added, “sanitizer and face coverings are another added expense for farmers already hurting from the economic impacts of COVID-19.” Held said that farmworkers can also be particularly vulnerable when working conditions make social distancing difficult.
Brett Kreher of Kreher Family Farms based in Clarence, New York, said “Kreher Family Farms was happy to be able to help neighboring farmers in the region by backhauling sanitizer and face coverings from the centralized supply at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse to the regional distribution hub at the Niagara County Fairgrounds in Lockport. ”Our delivery trucks had room after dropping off eggs in Syracuse,” Kreher said. He added, “We appreciate the opportunity to work with the terrific staff of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County and surrounding counties on this important effort.”
Kreher added, “Although we purchased sanitizer supplies through a local distiller, Nick Kotrides, owner/operator of Uncle Jumbo’s Vodka, who happens to buy some of our organic corn for his beverage production, we’re going through ‘tons’ of the stuff.” He said, “Even for our operation, having additional sanitizer and face coverings available at no cost was a big help. I know that’s true for other farms in the region, too.” Kreher said, “We’re glad to know that our modest efforts have helped to bring sanitizer and face coverings to farms in Erie, and the other eight western NY counties.”
The Erie County farm supply of sanitizer and face coverings is housed at the Western New York Welcome Center on Grand Island. Taste NY Market staff are assisting with the management of the inventory which was recently restocked with another large shipment. “In addition to making sanitizer and face coverings available to Erie County farms for pickup at the Welcome Center and at a number of other locations in Erie County, we’ve been distributing supplies to vendors at a number of farmers’ markets in the County,” said Sharon Bachman, CCE Agricultural Educator and Master Gardener Program Coordinator. “Distribution is not limited to CCE Erie ag enrollees,” said Bachman. “We’re trying to get sanitizer and face coverings to any agricultural operation in Erie County that requests them for as long as the supplies are available.” A similar distribution is happening through CCE offices in every county in New York State.
Bachman said, “To date, CCE Erie has distributed 294 gallons of sanitizer, 1372 face coverings and 201 two oz. sanitizer bottles.” She explained that while it is frequently called “hand sanitizer,” the product that is being distributed works for many sanitizing purposes.
One of the recipients of sanitizer and face coverings, Beth Leipler of Tioga Valley Farm in West Falls and Farm Director for the Town of Aurora-based Providence Farm Collective along with the associated Somali Bantu Community Farm expressed appreciation for the free supplies saying “Thanks so much for the hand sanitizer (and masks and travel sanitizer!!)! We really appreciate it and look forward to a safe and productive season ahead.” She explained the sanitizer was going to be especially important as harvest season gets underway and as clientele being frequenting Tioga Valley’s farm stand.
Erie County farms needing sanitizer and face coverings are asked to fill out an on-line request at “Sanitizer Requests” to register to pick up supplies at the Taste NY Market at the Western New York Welcome Center located at 1999 Alvin Road, Grand Island, NY 14072 (exit 19, off I-190 to Whitehaven Rd.). The Taste NY Market is open 9 am-6 pm, 7 days a week with extended summer hours expected to begin soon. Farmers who are unable to pick up sanitizer at the Taste NY Market can contact CCE Erie to make alternate arrangements, phone 716-652-5400 or e-mail Sharon Bachman at sin2@cornell.edu. To schedule a pick-up time at the Taste NY Market, phone 716-773-0970. Note that a face covering is required to enter the Welcome Center.
“Availability of soap and water wash stations, use of face coverings when physical distancing or barriers are not possible, and regular and frequent sanitizing with properly formulated sanitizers are all part of required COVID-19 Farm Safety Plans,” said Held. A particularly useful set of references for these required plans is posted at https://agworkforce.cals.cornell.edu/ny-forward-business-safety-plan/.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County puts knowledge to work to build stronger communities. CCE provides educational programs in Agriculture, 4-H Youth Development, Nutrition, and Consumer Horticulture.
Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities; and provides equal program and employment opportunities.
–Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County