NY farm employers and partners support workers to get COVID-19 relief funds

When COVID-19 federal relief funds became available to farmworkers in March 2023, the farming industry mobilized. Cornell Agriculture Workforce Development Council, which includes New York Farm Bureau, Northeast Dairy Producers Association, New York State Horticulture Society, New York State Vegetable Growers Association, immediately joined with Pasa Sustainable Agriculture to organize, promote, transport and support workers in accessing the relief funds.

With many one-time $600 payouts still unclaimed and available, industry partners held four events last month to encourage farm employees to apply for the relief funds in person.

Dr. Richard Stup, director of Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development, said the events were hugely successful.

“There was a tremendous effort in a short period of time from several New York agricultural organizations to help farm employees receive their $600 payment for work performed during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a matter of three weeks, over 1,000 individuals were served,” Dr. Stup said.

“Without the care and consideration of farm employers to give their laborers time to register for and receive these payments, the program with Pasa would have failed. We have found an exceptional partner in Pasa and appreciate their logistical support in providing this important service to the agricultural workforce in New York State.”

Pasa Sustainable Agriculture, a grantee of the USDA-Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Farm and Food Worker Relief Program, works with Rochester-based PathStone to serve New York. To date, 30,000 farm employees in New York have received payouts.

Applications are still being accepted for COVID-19 relief payments, which will continue to be distributed until funds are exhausted. Those eligible include field workers, livestock workers and meatpacking workers who worked at least one hour between January 20, 2020 and May 10, 2023.

Pasa Sustainable Agriculture Executive Director Hannah Smith-Brubaker said, “Farmworkers are the backbone of our nation’s food system and agricultural economy. Yet, while many farm and food business owners received financial support during the pandemic, most frontline workers in fields and meatpacking plants were left out. The Farm and Food Worker Relief Program represents a crucial opportunity to celebrate and support those who sustained the nation through a time of great need.”
It is important to note that while identity and workplace must be confirmed, farmworkers may apply regardless of immigration status. Applicant information is confidential and will not be shared with USDA nor any other state or federal agency.

Relief payments are not loans, and payment recipients will not be taxed. For those farm and food workers who are not bank account holders, payments are available through pre-loaded debit cards.
To learn more about the program, confirm eligibility and apply online, visit http://www.farmworkers.com. To check the status of an existing application, visit http://www.farmworkers.com/#status.

Translation services and application assistance are available. For more information, email support@pasafarming.org (English) or apoyo@pasafarming.org (Spanish), or call Pasa at 833-469-3397.

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