Vaccinating the people who feed our families: farmers
Producing a variety of grains, Johnson helps run her husbandโs 500-acre family farm of more than 100 years old in Moneta. Ninety percent of Virginia farms are owned by families or individuals, according to Virginia Farm Bureau. Now, she said about 140 farmers have received a dose, although other farmers still show hesitation. โA lot of farmers think, โWell, I just stay here on my farm I donโt interact with people,โโ Johnson said. They can be exposed.โAdTherefore, Johnson encourages farmers to take charge of their health because they are the backbone of society.
Frontline farmers now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine
Agricultural groups like the Virginia Farm Bureau know farmers are essential workers, and they are supporting efforts to get them vaccinated against COVID-19. โOur nationโs food supply depends on farmersโ and frontline agricultural workersโ ability to work safely,โ said Ben Rowe, national affairs coordinator for Virginia Farm Bureau Federation. Despite swift implementation of best practices and state and federal guidance in the fields and processing facilities, the agricultural workforce remains at heightened risk of infection, as do the frontline critical-risk workers.โAdFood and agriculture workers and veterinarians are eligible under the Virginia Department of Health COVID-19 Vaccine Phase 1b. Every health district in Virginia has moved into Phase 1b, which means these workers are eligible regardless of their home county. โWe have all seen the significant toll that disruption of the agricultural food supply chain places on communities and families.