Agritourism/COVID update 10.14.20

Time for some reminders on making sure you have and follow a safety plan for dealing with COVID at your operation.

 

There have been reported violations at agritourism operations this fall – comments on Facebook, complaints to Ag and Markets, Department of Health and Department of Ag and Markets inspections, and news stories – so it is a good time to review your plan.  And remember that it is not just having a plan and signage but monitoring spaces and activities to make sure people are complying with the rules.  Is it fun? No.  Is it easy? No.  Is it necessary?  Yes.

 

If you have questions, I will try to find the answers.  For anyone interested in the webinar that we held a few weeks ago, the video is linked below.

 

Where to find information:

 

NYS Guidelines (these you MUST follow):

Low-risk Outdoor Arts and Entertainment: https://forward.ny.gov/phase-four-industries (select Low-Risk Outdoor … From column on left)

This covers u-pick operations like pumpkins and Christmas trees.

 

If you have food sales, you must also follow: https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/Indoor_and_Outdoor_Food_Services_Detailed_Guidelines.pdf

**Remember that people must eat in a specified area.  They cannot carry food around and eat it throughout the operation

 

If you have a retail operation as part of the operation?  This one I am not as sure of – but definitely reducing occupancy to 33% of maximum will apply.

https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/GeneralRetailSummaryGuidance.pdf

 

Ag and Markets:

Agritourism Frequently Asked Questions – https://agriculture.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2020/09/agritourismfaq_0.pdf

Letter from Commissioner Richard Ball: https://agriculture.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2020/10/agritourismletter.pdf

 

Best Management Practices from Cornell:

Agritourism – https://smallfarms.cornell.edu/resources/farm-resilience/best-management-practices-for-agritourism-covid/

U-Pick – https://smallfarms.cornell.edu/resources/farm-resilience/best-management-practices-for-u-pick-farms-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/

Craft Beverage Tastings: https://www.winebusiness.com/content/file/2020%205%2020%20Cornell%20Craft%20Beverage%20Reopening%20FINAL.pdf

 

Building Resilience series – https://smallfarms.cornell.edu/resources/farm-resilience/

 

Making a handwashing station: https://blog.uvm.edu/cwcallah/2020/06/09/improving-handwashing-stations/

 

Videos on Agritourism guidelines

 

Selling Christmas Trees in the Time of COVID: State Guidelines and Best Management Practices (useful for other operations, too)

https://vod.video.cornell.edu/media/Rerecord/1_x5mtq88d

Transcript is available (click Show Transcript) although I haven’t reviewed it.

 

Agritourism Best Management Practices

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDPsNIhM17Y

 

Betsy