Dear Kimberton CSA community,
My farm mantra is plan for the worst, hope for the best. As farmers, COVID-19 is just another problem that we can mitigate but can’t control. We truly are hoping for the best, but feel it prudent to have a plan in case of the worst.
From my understanding, the three tell-tale symptoms of COVID-19 are as follows:
1. New. dry, continuous cough.
2. Fever.
3. Trouble breathing.
At KCSA our current staff protocol is to take our temperature twice a day—before and after work. If we have a low-grade fever of 100F or above we do not come to the farm. Further, if we contract a new dry, continuous cough or have trouble breathing, even without a low-grade fever, we do not come to the farm…we call for support! Obviously, runny noses, continuous sneezing, phlegmy coughs, and aching bones are all other symptoms that we would not come to the farm with either.
As for our current day-to-day operations, there is not too much more we can do beyond our continued compliance with the Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA). Supposedly, the virus can survive on dry, hard surfaces for up to 24 hours; however, COVID-19 does not fare well on wet, organic surfaces. So, there is minimal risk of transmission to and from vegetables. Nevertheless, we will be even more vigilant about washing our hands, sanitizing our workspaces, not touching our faces and keeping our personal distance during the work day, in case one of us is unwittingly asymptomatic but infectious.
As for our members, for the time being, please do not visit the farm. If you have any questions, you can email us, message us on Facebook or Instagram, leave a voicemail, or write us.
Please be assured, the 2020 KCSA is going ahead as planned. We are all set up for the season, we will be growing and distributing biodynamic vegetables. Members should expect our welcome package via email at the end of April and by then we will have more information to determine whether we will need a “pickup protocol” and what that could potentially look like.
We will continue to communicate with you via our newsletter, bringing you farm news and commentary. There are going to be interruptions in all our lives in the run up to the start of the season and we sincerely wish you and yours health and good fortune. We all have family members, friends, colleagues, and neighbors that are vulnerable to the complications of contracting COVID-19 and there are many others that do not have the same resources, privilege, or purchasing power that we have. Through this testing time we need to remember that we have a responsibility to them as well.
Sincerely,
Andrew
