The USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) was formally rolled out in the Federal Register last week. We have finally received guidance that shellfish aquaculture will NOT be eligible to be considered for these funds, despite language in the Federal Register suggesting that “saltwater aquaculture” would be eligible. Despite not being eligible for CFAP relief payments, the USDA has requested that we share data on pricing, sales volume and inventory.…

As a service to our members, many of whom have been hit hard by restaurant closures, ECSGA is beefing up its Buy Shellfish page with information about growers who offer products and services direct to consumers. If you’re a member and you want to be listed, head over to the Farm Sign-Up page and fill out the form. The categories are: type of shellfish or merch (knives, t-shirts, oysters, clams,…

Many of our members participated in a survey last month to evaluate the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our industry. Thanks to the hard work of Jonathan van Senten and Carole Engle (who did this work without financial support!), the results are in, and it’s not pretty. The mollusk-related summaries for the 1st Quarter (March 23, 2020 to April 10, 2020) are available here:Mollusks Quarter 1 Results / Mollusks Detailed…

An Update from NAA Executive Director Paul Zajicek Assistance for Small Businesses The Paycheck Protection Program prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses. Small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, Veterans organizations, and Tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also…

Paul Zajicek of the National Aquaculture Association shares the following: The Small Business Administration (SBA) programs keep evolving and it appears they are hearing that no one wants to assume debt with such an uncertain future. The CARES Act 7(a) lending program will go through qualified lenders and should help farmers in getting faster responses when they reach out locally, and it clearly says “these loans may be forgiven if…

Staff working for Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey helpfully shared a link to a pdf entitled, Small Business’ Guide to the COVID-19 Economic Relief Package (aka the CARES Act). It includes information on Paycheck Protection Program loans, the Small Business Debt Relief Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Emergency Economic Injury Grants, Small Business Counseling, Small Business Contracting, and Small Business Tax Provisions. Small Business Administration funds that were authorized a…

It is a little overwhelming to deal with the flood of local, regional and national news and legislation coming out. We are doing our best to digest and process and pass along what we feel is accurate and helpful to our members. It is obviously a two-way street and we need to hear from members what is going on, what you are experiencing, what programs are working for you. You…

On March 6, 2020 Congress passed an $8.3 billion supplemental appropriation, then a Families First Response Act on March 18, and then the CARES bill, which has passed the Senate and now heads to the House for consideration. CARES contains hundreds of pages of heavy legal jargon, and there is lots to unpack.  Thanks to the dogged work of many of our Senate allies on the Appropriations Committee (especially Collins,…

On December 26, 2019, a Rhode Island Superior Court judge upheld a local zoning board’s decision allowing oyster grower and restaurateur Perry Raso to continue using a portion of land on the salt pond where he grows his oysters to support his aquaculture operation. In making his ruling, the judge accepted that shellfish farming meets the definition of agriculture, setting a valuable precedent for those who seek to use their…

Many of our efforts are starting to bear fruit and it gives me great pleasure to highlight a few year-end success stories: The House and Senate have passed the Farm Bill so it now goes to the President for signing (probably today or Friday). Contained in the bill is an amendment we have been working on for years that should greatly improve the crop insurance options for aquaculture producers. Thanks to…