Growers Covid Survey

In May 2020 we sent out three surveys; growers, wineries and industry suppliers. We combined the results in our print magazine. Below is the full survey and answers from our growers only.

Growers Covid Survey

What are you worried about regarding your farm business related to this pandemic?

  • Financial 44%
  • Debt Servicing 39%
  • Labour Shortage 56%
  • Worker Safety 44%
  • Sickness for you or your loved ones 44%
  • Future Product Sales 72%
  • Receiving Supplies 22%
  • Delivery of Products 33%
  • Mental Health 39%

Comments

  • Rules being imposed on our farm business appear to be at a much higher level than other businesses that remain open and Far above any restrictions on the public.
  • We lease our orchard to the neighbours who do use our picker shelter for overflow transient pickers.
  • Challenges training staff from a distance, not enough for summer staff to do if growers pull out of export programs because no labour to pick fruit.

Will you apply for the new funding available to farmers announced by the federal government on May 5?

  • Yes 19%
  • No 75%

Comments

  • I am not sure if it will be what we need and if it will help enough.
  • I think the farmers should have funding to help them through this pandemic. We do not carry enough debt to warrant having to pay back the Government.
  • Nothing in it for us.
  • Doesn’t apply to tree fruits

Are you thinking of planting any other food related crops for sale or personal use along with what you are currently growing? Check all that apply.

  • Vegetable 38%
  • Herbs 31%
  • Berries 23%
  • Tree Fruits 31%
  • Other fruits, grains or seed crops 7%

Do you employ foreign workers?

  • Yes 44%
  • No 50%

Comments

  • Feeling grateful to have them here.
  • Currently missing 8

If yes, how many do you usually employ?

  • 1-3 Workers 25%
  • 4-10 Workers 33%
  • 11-19 Workers 8%
  • 20+ Workers 17%

Comments

  • 4 from Mexico
  • We will have half the normal number of workers

Were you worried foreign workers would not be able to enter into Canada?

  • Yes 87%
  • No 13%

Comments

  • I feel the restrictions put in place, if followed properly, will stop more spreading of the virus.

Are you satisfied with how the government is handling the isolation of farm labour? Is there anything else you want put into place?

  • It’s helpful and smart to have done their quarantine in a central location. Well done.
  • Have not participated yet
  • No. I think that workers need a lot more support.
  • Yes
  • Now there are worries about domestic workers who come from other provinces, and what restrictions growers will face.
  • No
  • VERY SUPPORTIVE WITH 2 WEEK QUARANTINE BUT AVAILABILITY OF PPE A MAJOR CONCERN.
  • Isolation on farms is a bad idea. Workers should be 14 days isolated before they get to the farms.
  • 50/50 
  • So far so good

Do you have foreign workers in place now?

  • Yes 29%
  • No 65%

Do you feel safe going about your day-to-day activities?

  • Yes 72%
  • No 6%
  • Some Days Yes Some no 22%

Comments

  • I've switched to working from home, however there are days when I must go into the office, or work at a farm.
  • The orchard is safe because there are no other people in the vicinity.
  • Hard to instill sense of urgency/safety regarding COVID (2m spacing, PPE, disinfection, sanitation

Feel good on the farm. not safe when I have to go to town shopping.

Do you have these items available? Or are you planning to have any?

  • Masks 67%
  • Plexiglass or distancing Markers 33%
  • Infrared Thermometer 22%
  • Disinfectant 72%
  • Hand Sanitizer 89%
  • None of the above 6%

Comments

  • Most importantly, we practice a high level of immune boosting, microbiome enhancing and natural pre and probiotic intake, which means that not only have any of our group or family felt sick from Covid 19, but we have also not had any colds, flus or other bacterial, viral or fungal health issues for many years.
  • Gloves
  • I will be making masks for myself and summer students.
  • May have to limit how many people are picking cherries at the same time to keep the proper distance between them.
  • NEED MASKS!!!!!!!!!!!

Regarding your farm business: What are you expecting or hoping might happen during the summer months regarding tourism, farm gate visits, farmers markets, delivery, and sales?

  • Demand for local cherries will be up. Less WA fruit in the market.
  • Will be able to have upicks 
  • We are hoping to have markets, farm gate sales, deliveries, pickups, and attending other communicate events, but we are unsure as to what will be allowed
  • Hope for my neighbours its business as usual. People need to eat.
  • We are hoping for customers to be able to come out and pick their berries without it being too crowded. We hope the public respects the rules we have put in place this year and understands that we hope to go back to normal next year.
  • HOPEFULLY PEOPLE WILL CONTINUE TO PURCHASE LOCAL WINE SO THE WINERIES WILL PURCHASE OUR GRAPES
  • I'm hoping business will proceed, but that this occurs while people continue to practice isolation behaviours and not put others at risk. 
  • I would like feedback from the government as to the operation of u-pick farms
  • We hope that people are allowed to travel so we will have customers that are able to come and pick our cherries.
  • CONTINUED VIGILANCE 
  • Hoping people will think more about Canada's food independence
  • Hope tourists come 
  • No idea what to expect. Praying we can sell our fruits and veggies 
  • If we are only down 30% then we will be fine

Have you experienced any “gifts” during this slowed down period?i.e. extra time to catch up on tasks, projects, re-evaluating life, extra time for family etc. or anything else you can tell us.

  • The opportunity to let a larger newer facility pack our cherries means a whole new summer lifestyle for us 😊
  • Extra time to get tasks done
  • A great deal more focus on growing things, better connections to family, and more distance from the wastes of time and materials that occur in society.
  • More family time.
  • Yes, time spent working with our children while they are home from school has been great (and challenging) but mostly great.
  • NO,THE SPRING IS AS NORMAL SO LIFE CONTINUES.
  • No. Higher workload than usual as summer students need to be trained, and it's a challenge to do this remotely. Cloud file storage having problems. It's not going well.
  • We have been just as busy. I would like the gift of a slower period
  • Extra time to catch up on tasks. Work on different projects.
  • YA RIGHT. MY WIFE WORKING FROM HOME IS NOT A GIFT
  • No
  • yes
  • Extra time is a farce in farming but we do seem to be a bit ahead of schedule which is nice.
  • Some catch up on administration.

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