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Apr
This webinar, presented by the Small Business Association, will provide a high-level general overview of the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). We will cover the qualifications, terms, and features of each program and briefly cover the application…
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April 29th – 3:00 pm This week’s topic: COVID-19 business relief programs and assistance Learn about the Paycheck Protection Program, the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance Payment Program, and the Farmers to Families Food Box Program. Information will be presented by the…
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Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will host a webinar Tuesday, April 28, 2020, at noon ET to discuss technical details of the Request for Proposal for the Farmers to Families Food Box Program. The conference will be held via Zoom at www.zoomgov.com/j/1602561314; or join by phone at US: +1-669-254-5252…
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In light of recent FMCSA scam letters, phone calls and emails, we reached out to FMCSA regarding the required DOT Safety Audits. Below is information that they provided to us: FMCSA safety audits will ALL be done offsite. The process requires the carrier to upload certain documents to a…
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WASHINGTON – Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration Jovita Carranza and U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin issued the following statement today on the resumption of the Payroll Protection Program (PPP): “We are pleased that President Trump has signed into law the…
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USDA just released the RFP for the food box distribution program, which is being implemented as part of the Coronavirus Farm Assistance Program. NASDA is currently reviewing the document and will provide additional updates as needed. In addition, this afternoon President Trump signed the Paycheck Protection…
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Attorney General Maura Healey has announced two new initiatives to provide financial relief and legal assistance to small businesses impacted by closures and losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. “This is an incredibly difficult time financially for people across the state – and our…
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The American Farm Bureau applauds the $19 billion economic aid package for America’s farmers and ranchers announced by Secretary Perdue this evening. We understand the package includes $16 billion in much-needed direct payments to producers with another $3 billion to purchase meat, dairy products,…
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Farm Credit East and Crop Growers, LLP will be hosting a webinar on Thursday, April 30, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. that will address risk management tools for the current dairy situation. Dairy farmers and industry professionals are invited to register for this free webinar. Webinar attendees will hear from…
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The Coronavirus and Potential Impacts on the Agricultural Economy by, Nicholas E. Piggott Professor and Extension Specialist, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at North Carolina State University Introduction The impacts of the coronavirus on the U.S. and NC agricultural economies are…
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USDA grants available to spur innovative conservation technologies in Massachusetts. Learn more
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MFBF has become aware that members have been receiving emails and phone calls from third-party vendors regarding the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) DOT “biennial update”. Please do not respond to these emails and phone calls. While FMCSA does require…
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– Written By Justin Moore, Director of Marketing and Communications, NC State Extension Chaos in the Supply Chain? Regulatory officials confirm food products are safe, available and meeting consumers’ needs during this pandemic. However, the press is reporting incidences of producers not…
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The $349 billion authorized for Paycheck Protection Program loans has been exhausted, the Small Business Administration said today, and the SBA is no longer accepting applications for PPP loans. Loan applications received by banks but not yet submitted to SBA will not be able to be completed, and the…
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The Massachusetts RMV has implemented further extensions for expiring motor vehicle inspection stickers, passenger plate registrations, professional credentials, and licenses and permits, including Commercial Driver’s Licenses and Permits (CDLs / CLPs). Learn More
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The SBA released it’s Paycheck Protection Program guidance for sole proprietors. Read Full Release (PDF)
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With impacts from COVID-19 adding to depressed commodity prices, declining farm income, labor shortages and many other pressing issues, America’s farmers and ranchers are experiencing ever-increasing levels of stress. Understanding the urgent need to support our farmers during this difficult time,…
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Below is a notice from the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA), this notice will be sent to employers in Massachusetts. If you should have any questions, please contact DUA's Legislative Director, Jessica Muradian at [email protected]. DUA COVID-19 Employer Notice (PDF)
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The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) continues to thoroughly review its licensing protocols and credential requirements to identify and implement additional measures to reduce non-essential travel, reduce the need for customers to visit an RMV Service Center, and ensure proper “social-distancing”…
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Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) PUA will provide up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits to individuals who are not working as a result of COVID-19 and are self-employed, independent contractors, gig economy workers, and others who otherwise would not qualify for regular UC or EB under state…
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The Department of Agricultural Resources has been contacted by the beekeeping community regarding the status of its apiary inspection program. The Department will continue to provide only the following honey bee colony health inspections as they are designated as essential agriculture: Emergency inspections…
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U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration Office of Foreign Labor Certification – COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
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On March 25, 2020, the Commissioner of Public Health, issued an order relevant to grocery stores to provide continuation of essential services while additionally reducing exposure of shoppers and employees to COVID-19 (hereinafter, the Order). This guidance is issued pursuant to that Order to further…
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Maple syrup producers are eligible for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). This program features a $10,000 immediate loan advance that does not require repayment. Maple syrup producers that package, wholesale and/or retail their product are qualified for this EIDL program and should not identify…
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Application Deadlines Extended for MDAR beginning farmer program MEGA to April 20 The Request for Response for the Fiscal Year 2021 Matching Enterprise Grants for Agriculture (MEGA) program RFR: AGR-MEGA-FY21-11 has been amended. The amendment allows applicants that have not yet filed 2019 taxes for…
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On March 31, 2020, the Governor extended that Order and updated the list of “COVID-19 Essential Services.” The Order designated nurseries, greenhouses, garden centers, and agriculture supply stores are as COVID-19 Essential Services. See below for “binding guidance” (this means…
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On March 10, 2020, the Baker-Polito Administration declared a state of emergency due to Coronavirus (COVID-19). The Administration has advised that gatherings of 10 or more people be discouraged to prevent and mitigate the spread of the COVID-19. Due to the directive of not holding gatherings…
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Massachusetts Farm Bureau’s office has been getting a lot of inquiries about the loan packages available for farmers. At this point, the Small Business Association (SBA) “Economic Injury Disaster Loan” is not available to farmers. SMALL BUSINESS PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM The Paycheck…
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