WASHINGTON, D.C. – The USDA has announced a new grant program to help growers and others in the food supply chain respond to the challenges brought about by COVID-19.

The Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) Grant Program, administered by the USDA, will grant $650 million to small and specialty crop growers and others involved in the food supply chain in a process slated to begin immediately. The program provides funding to help small specialty crop producers, food processors, manufacturers, distributors and farmers markets recover costs incurred by responding to the pandemic, including for measures to protect workers.

All applications submitted before the deadline will be considered for funding; applications will not be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.

The application period began Sept. 23 and will end Nov. 8, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time. The minimum funding request amount is $1,500 and the maximum funding request is $20,000. There are no cost sharing or matching funds required. Grants are meant to be used to cover costs associated with implementing workplace safety measures to protect against COVID-19, including purchase of personal protective equipment, thermometers, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer and hand washing stations, and installation and purchase of air filters and new signage.

Marketing efforts meant to protect against COVID-19 may also be covered, such as development of online platforms, and creation of print and online materials. Other areas, including transportation, retrofitting of facilities, housing and medical costs, may also be covered under the program.

In a recent listening session hosted by the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, Dennis Nuxoll, Western Growers vice president for federal government affairs, sounded off about the need for the program. “Over the last year, farmers have expended substantial funds to implement health and safety protocols, including purchasing masks and gloves, hand sanitizer, as well as configuring operations to ensure social distancing between employees.

Nuxoll said based on sampling he’s done of his 11,000 members located in California, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico, growers are spending about $400 on average per worker for COVID-19 mitigation. “We request the department allocate no less than $1 billion to offset these costs,” he added.

Craig Anderson, Michigan Farm Bureau’s agricultural safety manager, said the USDA has been trying to roll out the PRS Grant Program in a short period of time. “More clarification is needed about what’s covered; things will be fleshed out as applications are completed and turned in,” he said. “We’re hoping this will be moved along fairly quickly and without the usual red tape. Some in the industry felt that funding could have been more and more could be made available, depending on demand. We’re getting into harvest season now. People are going to have to take time out to have a look at this. Many times people aren’t going to take the time to do this, but they should.”

For questions about this program,  email usda.ams.prs@grantsolutions.gov or call (301) 238-5550. Help desk hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. eastern time.