*Note that as of May 26, 2020, the statewide Re-Opening Plan is considered recommendations only, rather than enforceable under a statewide executive order. Rules for businesses and communities are now under the authority of local governments. Please contact your local county office to determine what is allowed in your community. 

General Guidance for the Food and Agriculture Industry

Guidance for Re-Opening for Specific Ag Industries:
Animal Boarding and Daycare Facilities
Animal Shelters
Equine Facilities
Farmers' Markets *updated May 28
Livestock Auctions
Livestock Competitions and Shows

Food Service Establishments:
Food Service Establishments English
*There is some additional information about how to interpret the Re-Opening Plan phases for restaurants in this document from the Governor's office: FAQs
Food Service Establishments Spanish
Food Service Establishments Chinese Traditional
Food Service Establishments Chinese Simplified

• Complete information about Kansas' Response and Recovery: www.covid.ks.gov
• Read the state recommendations in the Governor's Re-Opening Plan here: Ad Astra: A Plan to Re-Open Kansas

• CDC's Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting -- for public spaces, workplaces, businesses, schools and homes upon re-opening. 
• The CDC has provided this Restaurants and Bars Decision Tree to help food service establishments make re-opening decisions. Note that bars and nightclubs are not approved for opening until Phase Two. 
• National Restaurant Association's COVID-19 Re-Opening Guidance

Due to the state’s response to the coronavirus (COVID-19), the staff at the Kansas Department of Agriculture continues to work remotely through most of the month of May. During this time, our headquarters in Manhattan and all field offices will remain closed to the public. However, we continue to be available to serve all Kansans via phone or email. Please keep in mind that while we work from our homes, our response times may be a bit slower. We ask for your patience as we work through these changing times.

For a list of contact phone numbers and email addresses for KDA divisions and programs:
KDA Contact List. 

Ag-related businesses that produce and provide ag products/services, that produce and provide human & animal food products/services, that process fuel, and that work to maintain the essential supply chain for these, are exempt from the statewide stay home order. Read Executive Order No. 20-16 here. 

Even essential businesses and operations must, to the extent possible without significant disruption to essential functions, avoid in-person meetings, maintain 6-foot distancing, keep limit gatherings to less than 10 people, and practice health protocols. When not performing an essential function (or traveling to do so) individuals must adhere to the stay home order. 

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) definitions of “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers” lists specific categories of Food and Agriculture workforce. Read it here.

The Association of Food and Drug Officials developed several resources to help food establishments with questions about coronavirus response. 

• Food Establishment Guidance (Restaurants, Grocery Stores, etc.)
  
  • ** All versions updated 5-1-20
  • Guía sobre el COVID-19
  • Food Establishment Guidance COVID-19 Chinese (Simplified)
  • Food Establishment Guidance COVID-19 Chinese (Traditional)
• Farmers' Market Guidance
• Drive Thru Food Safety Guidance
• Grocery Store Food Safety Guidance
• Guidance for Restaurants Selling Excess Food
• Guidance About Self Service Food and Beverages
• U.S. FDA Info for Consumers: Shopping for Food

• Veterinary Services Guidance
• Livestock Auctions Guidance
• Guidance for Pet Owners
• Animal Shelter Guidance
• Animal Boarding and Daycare Guidance
• Equine Facilities Guidance

The Secretary of Agriculture granted a temporary waiver of state fuel standards, updating the waiver originally granted on March 23. The new waiver is extended until May 20. Read the waiver here. 

• Not sure what assistance is right for you? Look at the USDA: COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide
• Your USDA-FSA Kansas office is available to help you.

• Several relief options (Paycheck Protection Program, Emergency Injury Disaster Loans) are available to you via the U.S. Small Business Administration. 
• Specific PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) resources can be found here: PPP resources and here: PPP FAQs. Please note that the following FAQs, from this link, are especially relevant to those in the agriculture industry: 
  • 32. Question: Does the cost of a housing stipend or allowance provided to an employee as part of compensation count toward payroll costs? Answer: Yes. Payroll costs includes all cash compensation paid to employees, subject to the $100,000 annual compensation per employee limitation.

  • 33. Question: Is there existing guidance to help PPP applicants and lenders determine whether an individual employee’s principal place of residence is in the United States? Answer: PPP applicants and lenders may consider IRS regulations (26 CFR § 1.121- 1(b)(2)) when determining whether an individual employee’s principal place of residence is in the United States.

  • 34. Question: Are agricultural producers, farmers, and ranchers eligible for PPP loans? Answer: Yes. Agricultural producers, farmers, and ranchers are eligible for PPP loans if: (i) the business has 500 or fewer employees, or (ii) the business fits within the revenue-based sized standard, which is average annual receipts of $1 million. Additionally, agricultural producers, farmers, and ranchers can qualify for PPP loans as a small business concern if their business meets SBA’s “alternative size standard.” The “alternative size standard” is currently: (1) maximum net worth of the business is not more than $15 million, and (2) the average net income after Federal income taxes (excluding any carry-over losses) of the business for the two full fiscal years before the date of the application is not more than $5 million. For all of these criteria, the applicant must include its affiliates in its calculations. Link to Applicable Affiliation Rules for the PPP.

  • 35. Question: Are agricultural and other forms of cooperatives eligible to receive PPP loans? Answer: As long as other PPP eligibility requirements are met, small agricultural cooperatives and other cooperatives may receive PPP loans.

• A webinar hosted by Kansas Corn will help understand these options. See it here.
• Refer to the Kansas Ag Bankers website for a list of banks that can help with SBA programs.
  
  

• Get Kansas Benefits: website for unemployment assistance from the Kansas Department of Labor
• Kansas Ag Stress: resources to help cope with ag-related stress
• Kansas Hero Relief Program: if you’re an essential worker who requires child care, Kansas is offering financial assistance to help your family during the pandemic.

The Kansas Pork Association is working to assist Kansas pork producers who need help mitigating the impacts of COVID-19. Go to the KPA website for assistance. 

The KSRE webpage has a wealth of helpful information, including stories from the ag industry, children's education resources, meal planning during the crisis, and mental health resources. Find it here. 

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association’s coronavirus information page is here.

The American Association of Meat Processors has a coronavirus resource page, where it offers a sample workplace policy, CDC and OSHA recommendations, among other information.

The National Pork Board’s COVID-19 news page is here.

The National Chicken Council's COVID-10 information page is here.

The Livestock Marketing Association’s COVID-19 update page is here.

The North American Meat Institute’s coronavirus information page is here.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has exempted livestock haulers from compliance with federal hours of service rules that limit drive time until at least April 12. Drivers wishing to haul under this exemption will want to print out a copy of the Expanded Emergency Declaration and keep it in their vehicle.

Information from the National Restaurant Association about food safety measures for restaurants can be found here. 

The Food Industry Association has published guidance for the food industry during the coronavirus outbreak. Find it here. 

Kansas Corn has hosted a webinar regarding access to assistance for agricultural producers. Find it and other COVID-19 resources at their website here. 

3-28-2020 Kansas Food and Ag Industry Continues to Focus on Essential Functions
3-23-2020 Kansas Department of Agriculture Issues Fuel Waiver
3-20-2020 KDA Plans for Reduced Staff
3-18-2020 Continuity of Kansas Ag Industry Remains a Priority
3-16-2020 Upcoming KDA Events Postponed, Cancelled

5-26-20 Gov signs disaster declaration-calls for special session-warns of grave consequences to state without legislative action
5-19-20 Governor Kelly moves Kansas into modified Phase 2
5-19-20 Governor Kelly Announces SPARK Taskforce to Lead State’s Economic Recovery
5-15-20 Gov Kelly announces executive order extending relief to motor carriers during COVID-19 pandemic
5-14-20 Governor Kelly adds new phase to “Ad Astra” plan
4-28-20 Governor announces state’s new COVID-19 website
4-24-20 Governor Kelly applauds federal coronavirus relief, conveys need for flexibility
4-22-20 Gov signs two Executive Orders as part of her administration’s ongoing COVID-19 response
4-20-20 Kansas receives additional PPE supplies, expands COVID-19 testing in Kansas
4-16-20 Gov Kelly signs new Executive Order (re adult care homes)
4-13-20 Gov Kelly announces executive order extending relief to motor carriers
4-10-20 Gov Kelly issues Executive Orders to aid Kansans
4-7-20 Gov Kelly announces revised mass gatherings guidance to include religious services
4-3-20 Governor Kelly announces partial resumption of State of Kansas operations
3-31-20 Governor Kelly issues Executive Order to help meet surging demand for unemployment benefits
3-28-20 Gov Kelly issues temporary, statewide Stay Home order
3-25-20 Gov. Laura Kelly signs state budget, approves 65 million for Kansas coronavirus response 
3-24-20 Gov Kelly signs Executive Orders limiting gatherings, providing essential function framework for local communities
3-23-2020 Gov Kelly announces four executive orders to aid Kansans during COVID-19 pandemic
3-23-2020 Gov Kelly Executive Order to further improve public safety regarding COVID-19 pandemic
3-22-2020 Gov Kelly announces executive orders to assist Kansans amid COVID-19 pandemic
3-20-2020 Governor Laura Kelly announces disaster assistance for Kansas businesses
3-19-2020 Governor signs bipartisan bills to help Kansans during COVID-19 Pandemic
3-18-2020 Governor Kelly announces Executive Order to temporarily prohibit evictions and foreclosures
3-17-2020 Governor Kelly announces proactive measures to mitigate spread of COVID-19 pandemic in Kansas
3-12-2020 Governor announces Capitol Complex access limitations in response to COVID-19
3-12-2020 Governor Issues Emergency Declaration for COVID-19

Executive Orders issued by Governor Laura Kelly.

3-26-2020 KDHE and KDA recommend voluntary reduction in burning
3-23-2020 KDHE updates the public on testing prioritization
3-22-2020 KDHE Guidance for Supporting Families in Accessing Healthy and Safe Child Care
3-19-2020 REVISED Mandate for quarantine and isolation of travelers, close contacts, those being tested