Farm equipment cultivator

Farmers face unique safety risks during COVID-19

Farmers and ranchers face unique safety risks as COVID-19 continues to spread. The predicted peak of the COVID-19 outbreak likely will hit as spring planting season shifts into high gear, says Rusty Lee, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agronomy. Physical distancing becomes difficult as farmers receive seed and chemical deliveries, Lee says. Shipments […]

Unemployment

Governor Parson announces implementation of $600 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Program

Governor Mike Parson announced that the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations’ (DOLIR) Division of Employment Security (DES) has received its first operational guidance related to the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020. The FPUC does not include any provisions or benefits […]

Spickard School

Spickard School District extends closure to April 30th

The Spickard R-2 School District has announced it will extend its closure to April 30, 2020, to comply with local health and state guidelines in regards to COVID-19. A letter to the district says the school building will remain closed to the public during that time. Superintendent Jonnie Beavers reports the Spickard School District has served […]

Governor Mike Parson

Governor Parson requests Federal Disaster Declaration for Missouri in response to COVID-19

Governor Mike Parson has requested that President Donald J. Trump approved a major disaster declaration for the entire state of Missouri to provide federal assistance for state and local COVID-19 pandemic preparedness and emergency response efforts. In the request filed Tuesday, Governor Parson said the pandemic is of such severity and magnitude that an effective […]

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response

USDA implements measures to help rural residents, businesses and communities affected by COVID-19

USDA Rural Development has taken a number of immediate actions to help rural residents, businesses and communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Rural Development will keep customers, partners, and stakeholders updated as more actions are taken to better serve rural America. Rural Housing Service Single-Family Housing Effective March 19, borrowers with USDA single-family housing Direct […]

WIC Women Infant Children

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) remains operating in Missouri during COVID-19 crisis

The Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, known as WIC, remains in operation in Missouri. Local agencies continue to support current participants and to enroll new participants who may now be income-eligible due to the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak. Given the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to control […]

Governor Mike Parson

Governor Mike Parson addresses the many concerns of Missouri citizens impacted by COVID-19

As the COVID-19 crisis continues, Governor Mike Parson and his administration are taking daily steps to respond accordingly and protect the health and well-being of Missourians. “My administration and I are committed to providing quality healthcare to those most dependent on state assistance and ensuring access to those in need of medical services or medications,” […]

Child Care

Missouri officials take regulatory action to address child care needs amid COVID-19 outbreak

The Departments of Health and Senior Services and Social Services have taken regulatory action to assist child care providers and families during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.  “We recognize that child care is an essential component of fighting COVID-19,” said Dr. Randall Williams, director of DHSS. “Health care and other emergency medical personnel must have appropriate […]

School Lunch

USDA to partner with rural schools to provide one million meals per week to schools shut by COVID-19

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has announced a collaboration with the Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty, McLane Global, PepsiCo, and others to deliver nearly 1,000,000 meals a week to students in a limited number of rural schools closed due to COVID-19: “Feeding children who are affected by school closures is a top priority […]