COVID-19 Agritourism Resources & Information

What the New June 15th COVID-19 Guidelines Mean for CA Agritourism Operations                                                                           

California is preparing to get back to normal. On June 15, 2021, capacity and distancing restrictions will be lifted for most businesses and activities. Large-scale indoor events (5,000+ attendees) will have vaccination or negative test requirements for attendees through at least October 1.  Large-scale outdoor events (10,000+ attendees) recommend, but do not require, vaccination or negative test requirements for attendees.  Please always check with your county department of public health for further specific county information.  Reflect on the modifications that you made to your operations and consider maintaining protocols that made your staff and your guests feel safe. 

Some sites providing up-to-date information relevant to the agricultural sector:

California Department of Health:  Beyond the Blueprint for Industry and Business Sectors - Effective June 15

California Department of Health: Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings

California Department of Food and Agriculture: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources for Food and Agriculture

University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources: Coronavirus Information Page

Resources Listed in 2020

On this page:

• Comprehensive links to sites offering a variety of resources
• Specific guidance & resources for agritourism operations
• Agritourism operators share experiences & lessons learned
• Marketing & customer communication
• Support for ag production & sales disruptions

Comprehensive links to a variety of resources

• from Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) including financial assistance, Food and personal safety, Sales and marketing, Other Business Resources, CAFF Advocacy, News and Updates: COVID-19 response and resources for farmers

• From National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition: COVID-19 Resources

• Financial Assistance: Small Business Owner’s Guide to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act

• from UC Cooperative Extension, Sonoma and Marin Counties, but good info for all:

Sonoma UCCE Coronavirus Resources
Marin UCCE Covid-19 Resources

• Coronavirus HR Comms & Resources Guide a crowdsourced collection of resources for HR and business leaders to help inform and support Coronavirus response plans; a curated collection of public Coronavirus response communications, templates, news, remote work, hiring impact, and resources.

• From UC ANR: Practical Solutions to Continue Essential Agricultural Work

Specific guidance and resources for agritourism operations

As California counties reopen through stages 2 and 3 at different paces, here is CDPH information about what categories of businesses may open in which counties, and with which modifications. Please check with your county department of public health for further specific county information.

• Guidance for Farm Direct Sales and Pick-Your-Own operations during COVID-19 (pdf) by CDFA

• For roadside stands: Guidelines and printable roadside signs created by UCCE Fresno County

• Guidance for Restaurants, Bars and Wineries, provided by the California Department of Public Health. (Tasting rooms should see the specific instructions on page 13.)

• Guidance for Hotels, Lodging and Short-Term Rentals, provided by the California Department of Public Health and CalOSHA (for counties where this is authorized.)

• Sample release of liability waiver for farm tours and on-farm activities, provided by the Sonoma County Farm Bureau. (You should not assume that the waiver would prevent legal action from guests. Be sure to have legal counsel review and tailor any document to fit your specific needs.)

• Summer day camps in counties where they are allowed to open should use the Guidelines for Day Camps provided by the California Department of Public Health

• Guidelines for outdoor museums and galleries, provided by California Department of Public Health, may be applicable for some agritourism operations.

• Airbnb Extenuating Circumstances and the coronavirus (COVID-19) - information about coverage and cancellations

• Agritourism COVID-19 Operation Restart Best Practices shared by NAFDMA. It was created by the Audience Media Group. Topics include:
  • Admission and ticketing
  • Farm Cleanliness
  • Prevention Procedures
  • Public Relations and Communications.
    
    

• From Riverside County: 7 minute video summarizing state business reopening guidelines 

Agritourism operators share experiences and lessons learned

• COVID-19 Effects On Agritourism - Peer Experiences & Lessons Learned recording of a webinar featuring a panel of agritourism operators, members of NAFDMA International Agritourism Association.

• In July 2020, California Agritourism Operators Share Thoughts & Plans for Fall 2020

Marketing and customer Communication

• Please add & share - online sales, CSAs, etc. Help update & share our "Shelter-in-place Direct-from-farms" resource page

• Visit California's Coronavirus Update offers research, resources

• Strategic Considerations: Coronavirus Social Media Content from Visit California - Best practices from Visit California for developing social media content during COVID-19

• Preparing the Sierra Nevada for Visitors to Return: Check out and add to the new Sierra Nevada Geotourism site

Support for production and ag sales disruptions

• From UCCE: For livestock producers impacted by cancellations of auctions and county fairs - Market Animal Sale Options & Regulations

• California COVID-19 Matchmaking Doc that helps farmers & buyer link up