Forestry News Alert – Imperative COVID-19 Information!

Dear NCFA Members,

The North Carolina Forestry Association would like to share a recent press release that is critical to all members operating in the forest products and agriculture products sector. Governor Roy Cooper has issued Executive Order No. 121 this afternoon, which goes into effect Monday, March 30, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. The order issues a statewide 'shelter in place' directive to all non-essential personnel for a 30-day period. The documents below from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA & CS) will allow members of essential industries like agriculture and forest products to remain active in the performance of their day-to-day duties if the authorization is filled out completely and correctly. Please take careful note of the information and instructions below. The work authorization form must be filled out appropriately and kept on your person or in your vehicle at all times during this 30-day period.
Please see the two attached documents first entitled “Work authorization Ag group personnel” and the second, “Commissioner COVID letter to LE re Ag Group Personnel”. These are to be used as a notification method to notify law enforcement or anyone else that people carrying them are involved in the critical and essential industry of agriculture. The first attachment is for you to distribute to your membership-this is very important that you take action on this. This document will also be downloaded to the NCDA & CS website link: http://www.ncagr.gov/disaster/documents/COVID-19.htm

INSTRUCTIONS TO FILL OUT THE 'WORK AUTHORIZATION FORM'

• Line #1 - Name of employee
• Line #2 - Name of employer (company or organization)
• Line #3 - Supervisor or owner of business
• Line #4 - Job title/position for point of contact listed on Line #3
• Line #5 - Date of issuance
• Line #6 - Organization (same as Line #2)
• Line #7 - Valid contact number for Point of Contact listed on Line #3

The second attachment is the letter NCDA & CS has sent (3.25.20) to the five largest police associations in North Carolina to put them notice about essential employees in the agriculture industry of North Carolina for your records. It is recommended that you keep this document with you as well during the 30-day shelter in place time period.

If you have any questions regarding these forms or need help filling in the information please contact the number listed below and/or the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services at (919) 707-3000.

Please take time to read the following recent NCFA updates regarding COVID-19: Gov. Cooper's Executive Order No. 120 COVID-19 Emergency Loan Program COVID-19 Federal Update from the Hardwood Federation NCIFund COVID-19 Grants for Businesses FMCSA CDL WAIVER - COVID-19 U.S. Small Business Administration Grants Gov. Cooper's Request for Disaster Declaration Gov. Cooper's Executive Order No. 121 U.S. Chamber of Commerce Resources for Small Businesses during the COVID-19 Outbreak COVID-19 Impacts to NC Forest Service Programs & Services NC Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services COVID-19 Hotline COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program Best Regards, John E. Hatcher, Jr., Ph.D., CF Executive Director North Carolina Forestry Association 1600 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 1 Raleigh, NC 27608 (803) 640-9125