How Farm Owners Risk Infection During the Pandemic

​Ever since the crisis, the government labeled farm workers as essential in making sure there is a continuous flow of food supplies in the US. However, they have a higher risk of contracting the disease, which may impact their communities. Additionally, protection and information for them may be limited.

Fresh Produce is at Risk
For a few agonizing weeks, shelves in grocery stores were empty – beans, milk, yeast, flour were, and other more staple foods were sold out. Shortages developed due to the unexpected system demand prompted by orders to stay at home all across the world. Citizens prepared for lockdowns while getting anxious with shortages by stocking up supplies that other people also rely on.

Protecting Workers Protects Everyone
Through the past months, there have been no reports of farm owners experiencing the coronavirus. But how reliable the information is might not be evident due to a limitation of testing in several of the rural regions where farmers mostly live. The US government has labeled everyone involved in agriculture as essential, which means they have crucial roles in making sure the nation is fed during the crisis.

• However, there are rough 50% undocumented farmworkers in the US that also keeps them exempted from the employment relief that the package of the CARES stimulus offers. The expanded health care protections provided by the Family First Coronavirus Response Act also exclude agricultural workers.
• It means that they will not have admission to the paid sick leave and economic support that the acts provide.

Rippling Outwards
Agricultural economists state that they cannot yet gauge the food sector's potential economic loss. However, there are early indications that suggest the economic shutdown due to the virus takes a significant hit to the sector. There have been up to $1 billion losses from March to May in the agricultural markets that offer local food, serving restaurants, schools, and farmers markets.

• The loss will continue to rise unless the government will take up more actions to support their businesses.

Now more than ever, we need our farmers, farm owners, farmworkers, and other agricultural workers to maintain the food supply that keeps people fed. Having farmowner's insurance will protect your entire property from any losses or damages.

At Insurance Agency Network, we aim to provide comprehensive insurance policies that make your life easier. We want to help you get the insurance that fits your needs. You can get more information about our products and services by calling our agency at (425) 681-0996. Get your free quote today by CLICKING HERE.