OWGL & OWC offices are by Appointment Only

OWGL & OWC offices are open to the public by-appointment only.

Please visit our staff resources page for direct contact info.

Governor Highlights COVID-19 Mitigation Efforts

On August 20th, Oregon Wheat Growers League participated in a meeting with Oregon’s Governor to discuss efforts to reopen the economy and successfully return students to school classrooms. With an emphasis on the importance of bringing down Oregon’s positive case count per 100,000 residents, she requested support from industries and individuals throughout the state. The top actions we can take to mitigate transmission with little or no economic impacts are:

1. Compliance with wearing face coverings

2. Compliance with OSHA Guidelines for Workplaces

3. Effective Contact Tracing

4. Compliance with isolation/quarantine, including economic supports

Food Security and Farmworker Safety Program

APPLY NOW!

Oregon’s Food Security and Farmworker Safety Program set aside $30 million to support agricultural producers impacted by OSHA’s temporary rules requiring increased field sanitation, increased physical distancing for transportation and/or those faced with additional housing-related compliance costs.

Worker Quarantine Fund

The Worker Quarantine Fund provides temporary financial assistance to Oregon agricultural workers who are 18 years or older and are recovering from COVID-19, seeking healthcare and practicing quarantine and isolation.

Information and application available here.

COVID-19 Agriculture Response Protocol

There is nothing we take more seriously than the health of our employees. Use the toolkit for resources to assist in implementing mitigation measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Use the playbook to understand the approach to a coordinated response when one or more cases of COVID-19 are identified at an agricultural operation.

COVID Farm Toolkit

Ag & Farm Playbook

COVID Farm Toolkit

Ag & Farm Playbook

CDL DL Extended through September

The federal waiver includes, effective July 1, 2020:

All Oregon commercial driver licenses expiring between March 1, 2020, and Sept. 29, 2020, now expire on Sept. 30, 2020.
All Oregon commercial learner permits expiring between March 1, 2020, and Sept. 29, 2020, now expire on Sept. 30, 2020.
All Oregon CLP holders are eligible to take the CDL skills test without regard to the 14-day waiting period.
All Oregon CDL holders and CLP holders who certified as non-excepted interstate and whose medical certification expired on or after March 1, 2020, retain medical qualification until Sept. 30, 2020, if the medical examiner certificate was issued for 90 days or more.

Crop Insurance Flexibility

The Risk Management Agency announced additional COVID-related flexibilities to the federal crop insurance program. These flexibilities include interest accrual on premium payments and administrative fees to be waived. Read more about it here.

The Farm Service Agency recently waived late file fees for acreage reports and discussed extending deadlines. Read more about it here.

RMA issued a notice authorizing self-certification on replant inspections and waiving the witness signature requirement for approval of Assignments of Indemnity through July 15, 2020. Regarding replant self-certification, RMA is authorizing AIPs to allow such for up to 100 gross acres (before considering share) per unit in lieu of 50 acres. Wheat not covered by the Winter Coverage Endorsement (both initially planted winter and spring crops) is eligible.

OSHA issues temporary rule

Oregon OSHA adopted a temporary rule impacting field sanitation, labor housing, and transportation for affected agricultural operations. The temporary rule applies to all labor-intensive agricultural operations when employees would otherwise perform their duties or routinely congregate within 6 feet of one another. Agricultural employers whose normal activities do not involve such close contact have no additional requirements under this section.

OSHA Temp Ag Rule

OSHA Ag Rule FAQ

Temporary Guidance on Respiratory Protection

EPA released temporary guidance on respiratory protection requirements for agricultural pesticide handlers, recognizing the shortage of PPA. The temporary guidance outlines approaches to address the unavailability of required respiratory protection and respiratory fit testing that should first be exhausted before considering any alternative options. Read the guidance and learn more about EPA’s Worker Protection Standard HERE

PPP Loans, EIDL Advances, SBA Loan Subsidies

PPP Loans, EIDL Advances, SBA Loan Subsidies Not Subject to CAT TAX

The Oregon Department of Revenue has determined that certain federal assistance to businesses under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is not commercial activity under Oregon statute and will not be subject to the Corporate Activity Tax. The exempt assistance includes forgiven Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) emergency advances, and Small Business Administration (SBA) loan subsidies. More information can be found in the Beyond the FAQ section of the CAT page on the department's website.

Department of Revenue CAT Tax Decisions

Oregon Department of Revenue took steps to provide some relief to small businesses. DOR will not require a quarterly filing/payment today from a business who is not expected to have more than $10,000 in annual tax liability (this was previously $5,000 and should increase the quarterly waiver threshold to businesses with approximately $2M in gross receipts – up from $1M).

DOR will waive penalties for underestimated quarterly payments or for not making a quarterly payment, if the business does not have the financial ability to make the estimated payment. More information on the DOR CAT website here.

Stay Home, Stay Healthy - Gov. Brown

Important Highlights:

The order does not include agriculture in the business closure requirements.
The order delegates future decisions to close businesses to OHA, with required Governor approval.
Businesses able to remain open through this order are required to designate an employee or officer to establish, implement and enforce social distancing politics consistent with guidance from OHA.

VIEW EXECUTIVE ORDER 20-12

FAQ Emergency Sick Leave

“Small Business” Exemption Highlights
Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Questions and Answers

Emergency Leave Guidance

VIEW MORE Q&A HERE

Wheat Industry amid COVID-19

The safety of our farms, farmers, grain handlers, truckers and employees is paramount. The agriculture community and industry are taking the extra steps necessary to support the unprecedented dynamics COVID-19 has brought us.

We recognize that we must continue operations in order to ensure a steady supply of wheat to market. While additional quarantines are not currently in effect, the situation can quickly change. The agriculture industry has always done business on a handshake. Our industry works tirelessly to produce top quality crops on our local farms, and now we are called upon to work even harder to get our crops to market.

The emergence of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States might change the physical interactions and mechanics of the wheat industry, but it must not change our fundamental practices and values. The agriculture community has been built on relationships from the beginning of time. While we must all do our part to flatten the curve of exposure through common sense measures that limit the avenues of transmission, we also will retain our commitments to one another.

As the number of confirmed cases raise daily and the cancellation of all gatherings and limitations are in effect for the weeks to come, our services go on. In order to have wheat to supply, we need to assure that our farms can continue to employ agriculture workers to support planting of the spring crop, irrigation, servicing machinery, and other farm operations. There is not an option for delaying this work: mother nature does not wait for us. If we do not have the labor to plant and tend to our crops, we will not have wheat to harvest in July and August.

We value what our members and farmers contribute to our wheat industry and greatly appreciate your support. We are all in this together. We urge all of our members to implement logical, common-sense practices to reduce transmission, thereby keeping more people safe and making the public health response the most effective it can be.

Please stay safe, sane and healthy. If you need help please reach out and utilize the resources available.

RESOURCES

What Ag Producers Should Know

Important Links Available

Worth the Read

Specific to Ag

Farmer Relief Fund
House Agriculture Committee COVID Response Page
Paycheck Protection Program Loans (PPPL)
SBA’s Oregon District Office
USDA The COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide
IRS Web Tool
GUIDANCE FOR AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYERS FOR COVID-19

COVID-19 POSTERS