As the spread of COVID continues to be a concern on gatherings, it is with great regret that the board of directors has decided to postpone the Annual Convention scheduled to take place at the Waikoloa Beach Hotel & Spa in Hawaii on February 14-17, 2021 until February 13-16, 2022. This decision was not made lightly or without careful consideration of our options. With the global COVID pandemic, and the uncertainty that surrounds us during this difficult time, the board of directors feels it is not in the best interest of our attendees to move forward at this time with the Hawaii location. At this point, the hotel is not currently open, but scheduled to open soon; however we really don’t know what the situation will look like during the first quarter of 2021 for travel and meetings.
Your safety and wellbeing are our primary concern. Many of you, understandably, do not feel comfortable traveling or attending a large event. It is our sincere hope that the situation improves, and we can move forward with confidence. Please keep our dates of February 14-17, 2021 open on your calendars for a “virtual” event as we do plan to have our Annual Membership meeting and speakers at the scheduled time. If the situation changes, we will have the option to put something together in-person perhaps closer to home, but better to err on the side of caution and make those decisions closer to the February 2021 date.
In the meantime, we wish you and your families health and prosperity in the coming year.
Best regards,
Carolyn Lockwood
PSA President
Pacific Seed Association Tax Relief Webinar
During these challenging times, business owners are looking for alternative relief solutions in addition to what is already being offered by Congress. It’s the ideal time to get to know an existing, key tool for American economic revival: The Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit. While many agribusinesses are currently taking advantage of this powerful (and permanent) incentive, others aren’t aware it’s available to them. Join alliant group’s technical director, Reed Showalter, as he shares the differences between the credit and other relief incentives, the latest changes to the credit that will impact PSA members specifically, as well as how your operations could qualify.
Mark your calendar for this webinar: Tue, Nov 17, 2020 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM PST
California OSHA COVID-19 Rule
Back in September, the California Safety and Health Standards Board voted to grant a Petition filed by the worker advocacy group WorkSafe to promulgate a general industry emergency COVID-19 regulation. This emergency temporary standard will almost certainly be followed by the development of a permanent infectious disease standard. The rulemaking process is now at the stage where the Standards Board is awaiting the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) proposed regulation.
It is anticipated that DOSH’s proposal will be published this week, with a deadline to submit public comments to the Standards Board in advance of its next meeting – November 19.
Before the Standards Board can adopt any proposal, there is a short notice period (at least 5 days) and comment period (at least 5 days). After a review of public comment, the emergency proposal will be put to the Standards Board for approval, submitted to the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) for approval, and filed with the Secretary of State. It will then become effective immediately for 180 days, with the possibility of extensions. Within the 180-day effective period (or in subsequent extension periods), the Standards Board will very likely proceed with regular rulemaking, including a more extensive public comment period, for a permanent infectious disease standard.
Oregon OSHA Adopts COVID-19 Safety Rule
On Nov. 6, Oregon OSHA enacted an emergency rule on COVID-19. Oregon is now the 3rd state to adopt such a rule. (VA and MI are the other two.) The rule requires employers to conduct assessments on the risks their workers face in contracting COVID-19 in the workplace. They are also required to have an infection control plan in place. The agency plans to enforce the rule through inspections triggered by worker complaints, information from other agencies, or through regular inspections at which employers could be required to prove compliance. Additional requirements are made of employers in high-risk industries.
The rule goes into effect on Nov. 16, while some provisions will be phased in through January. The rule is expected to remain in place for at least six months or until it is replaced by a permanent rule.
OSHA Issues Guidance on COVID-19 Citations
OSHA has issued guidance and an accompanying one-pager to help employers understand which standards are most frequently cited during coronavirus-related inspections. OSHA based these documents on data from citations issued, many of which were the result of complaints, referrals and fatalities in industries such as hospitals and healthcare, nursing homes and long-term care facilities, and meat/poultry processing plants.
OSHA Issues COVID-19 Guidance on Ventilation
OSHA has also issued a new guidance document on COVID-19 ventilation in the workplace. OSHA recommends, “Employers should work with a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) professional to consider steps to optimize building ventilation. An HVAC professional can ensure that the ventilation system is operating as intended.”
The guidance document provides tips on how employers can help reduce the risk of employee exposure to COVID-19. These include:
Encourage workers to stay home if they are sick;
Ensure all HVAC systems are fully functional;
Remove or redirect personal fans to prevent blowing air from one worker to another;
Use HVAC system filters with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating of 13 or higher, where feasible;
Increase the HVAC system’s outdoor air intake;
Consider using portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) fan/filtration systems to increase clean air;
Make sure exhaust fans in restrooms are fully functional, operating at maximum capacity, and are set to remain on; and
Encourage workers to report any safety and health concerns.
FY 2020 US Ag Exports Beat Forecast, Imports Set A New Record
From DTN’s Progressive Farmer, exports of U.S. agricultural products reached $135.9 billion in Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 with imports at $133.2 billion for a trade surplus of just $2.7 billion.
USDA in August forecast FY 2020 ag exports at $135.0 billion against imports of what would have been a record $131.7 billion which would have resulted in a forecast surplus of $3.3 billion.
The FY 2020 export mark is just above the $135.5 billion figure registered in FY 2019 but well short of the FY 2018 mark of $143.4 billion and even further below the FY 2014 record of $152.3 billion.
What moved the export and import figures past forecast levels were September U.S. ag exports of $12.2 billion against imports of $11.0 billion for a monthly trade surplus that was at $1.3 billion. The monthly export total was the largest since November 2019 and imports were at their highest since June.
U.S. agriculture registered a trade deficit six months during FY 2020, including a record of $1.13 billion in June. For FY 2021, USDA in August forecast exports to rise to $140.5 billion against imports forecast at $136 billion for a surplus of $4.5 billion.
Ag Careers Feed Your Future Event | November 19th
The AgCareers.com & CareersinFood.com Feed Your Future campaign is headed West! As an employer, support the Feed Your Future campaign aimed at bringing awareness to job seekers and connect them with the multitude of career opportunities available in the agriculture and food industries. This is your chance to fill your workforce needs! Participate in one of 14 regional events.
Feed Your Future Western USA Virtual Career Fair
Thursday, November 19, 2020
9 to 1 PM Pacific Read More Here
SIPA Webinar Scheduled for November 19th
SIPA will be hosting a Webinar on trademarks for hemp, at 1 PM EST on November 19, 2020. The webinar will include discussions around identifying trademarks for hemp, procuring trademark rights and enforcement of trademark rights around hemp.
The Webinar will be led by James Weatherly of SIPA. Please RSVP by November 13, 2020
Webinar information will be provided to those who RSVP on November 18, 2020.
