The County of San Diego Department of Agriculture, Weights & Measures’ (AWM) top priority is the health and well-being of our customers and the community. We are cognizant of the concerns and uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and are committed to being responsive to the customers’ needs as the situation evolves.
AWM will continue to share helpful updates. Please visit the following link for information on COVID-19 that includes local updates, Public Health orders, prevention measures, frequently asked questions, informational posters, guidance and resources: www.coronavirus-sd.com
AWM Contact Information
If you have questions or would like to contact us:
Webmail: sdcawm@sdcounty.ca.gov
Website: www.sdcawm.org
San Diego Office: 858-694-2739
San Marcos Office: 760-752-4700
Fee Deferral
On May 5, 2020, to help ease the impacts of COVID-19, the County Board of Supervisors voted to defer payment of Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures fees normally due between May and October 2020. Fees associated with Direct Marketing, Agricultural Export Certification, Price Verification Registration and Weights & Measures Device Registration will be deferred.
If you have questions regarding this information, please contact specialist at (858) 694-2739 for San Diego Office and (760) 752-4700 for San Marcos Office or email at sdcawm@sdcounty.ca.gov
Virtual Business Services
AWM will be taking precautionary measures for our public lobbies to comply with Public Health requirements. Official guidelines caution against gatherings of over 10 people and to observe social distancing. Consequently, AWM has temporarily closed all public lobbies since March 20th and use virtual business process until further notice.
· How to Submit a Plant or Insect Sample to the Lab
Online Services
If you have questions regarding payment or the status of your registration, we’d like to take this opportunity to remind you of the online services we provide over the internet
· Citizen Access is a website with online services to search records, to pay for existing permit (record) fees.
· Payment Online : For online payments, click Citizen Access. Go to the AWM tab, then in the General Search section, enter the Record Number (printed on invoice) in the Record Number field and click Search. Scroll down to see the results, in the Action Column click on "Pay Fee Due", then click on "Continue with Application", and select one of the Payment options. Online payment instructions are available.
***Online payments can only be made on existing permits (records) Online payments can be by EFT(Electronic Fund Transfer) or by credit card (Visa, Master Card)
California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) Information
CDFA’s main webpage has the following two COVID 19 links at the top of the page that provide a growing amount of guidance.
Certified Farmers’ Markets (CFMs):
· CDFA Guidance for Operating Certified Farmers’ Markets During COVID-19 Pandemic.
· CDFA Guidance for Sales of Pre-Bagged Items from Multiple Farms at CFMs
Fair and Livestock Market Guidance
· Guidance for Sale of Junior Livestock Market Animals
Nurseries:
· Guidance and Best Practices for Nurseries During COVID-19 Pandemic
· Orentacion y Mejores Practicas para los Viveros Durante la Pandemia de COVID-19
· CDFA Guidance on Nursery License Registration Late Fees
California Department of Pesticide Regulation’s Guidance
· Exemption for Qualified Applicator License Category Requirements to Support COVID-19 Control
COVID-19 Infection Prevention for Agricultural Employers and Employees
CAL-OSHA has prepared a document that details how Agricultural Employers can update their: Injury and Illness Prevention Programs (IIPPs) in regards to COVID-19 Infection Prevention
· COVID-19 Infection Prevention for Agricultural Employers and Employees
Employer and Employee Training Information on COVID-19 Infection Prevention:
· COVID-19 Tailgate Training | COVID-19 Tailgate Training (Spanish Version)
· COVID-19 Employer Checklist | COVID-19 Employer Checklist (Spanish Version)
Public Health Guidance, Personal Protective Equipment, and Supply Ordering
Face Coverings
As of May 1, the County is requiring you to wear face coverings in many public settings. The coverings help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and are part of our path to reopening San Diego. See full health order.
Agricultural fieldworkers must have the face coverings around their necks and may leave the face coverings off their faces when social distancing of 6 feet or more is occurring. The workers must put the face covering on their faces when approaching others within 6 feet.
Face coverings can be made of cloth. Homemade coverings, bandanas, scarves and neck gaiters may be used. Medical grade masks should be saved for healthcare workers. State and CDC guidelines and instructions for face coverings are below:
· State guidelines on face coverings
More details on face coverings can be found at: Face Coverings
Personal Protective Equipment for Pesticide Applicators
Due to the shortage of personal protective equipment, CDPR has compiled list of respirators and exposure controls that offer the same or better protection than what is commonly used and has also sent out guidance and tips on safety gloves. Please see the attached documents.
Acceptable PPE Alternatives-95 Mask
Disinfection for COVID-19 and Prevention Measures
Department of Environmental Health guidance on disinfection of surfaces for COVID-19 (coronavirus) in English and various other languages which can be accessed via the following link www.coronavirus-sd.com under Resources and Material. The guidance provides information on COVID-19, disinfection for COVID-19, and prevention measures.
· Never Mix Bleach with Other Cleaners
· Nunca Mezcle el Blanqueador con Otros Limpiadores
Supplies
List of Suppliers offering certain important supplies, which may be useful:
Thomas is a well-established industrial supply company, and their website has already registered over 1000 vendors offering COVID19 products, materials, or manufacturing services.
· Main Webpage: https://www.thomasnet.com/
· COVID-19 Specific: https://www.thomasnet.com/nsearch.html?cov=NA&heading=97010359&navsource=gnb
The suppliers listed have gone through a thorough vetting process to confirm legitimacy and availability of products and services.
Other Resources
US Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan Available to US Agricultural Businesses Impacted by COVID-19 Pandemic
U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Jovita Carranza announced today that agricultural businesses are now eligible for SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance programs. SBA’s EIDL portal will reopen today as a result of funding authorized by Congress through the Paycheck Protection Program and Healthcare Enhancement Act. The legislation, signed into law by the President one week ago, provided additional funding for farmers and ranchers and certain other agricultural businesses affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
DMV Licensing and Registration Updates, New Virtual Field Office
DMV has posted a news release regarding commercial driver license extensions:
· https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/newsrel/2020/2020_17
While DMV offices are currently closed to the public, extended online services are now available through the DMV Virtual Field Office as well as by mail:
Essential Worker Childcare -https://mychildcare.ca.gov/#/home
The website is intended to help Essential Workers that may be experiencing childcare challenges. The website is designed to help connect Essential Workers with licensed childcare providers that are open and available during this time of COVID-19. The information on the site is being updated daily as information for additional licensed child-care providers are added.
NEW! The next FWAC meeting will be held via conference call/web meeting on Thursday, June 11th from 11:30am to 1pm. Agenda
Conference log in infomration is below:
Join the Meeting: https://bluejeans.com/436660709
Call in only: (408) 915-6290 or (408) 419-1715
Meeting Code: 436 660 709
Nursery License Renewal Late Fees
AWM would like to share some information provided by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) on nursery license fees. The guidance provides direction on how to avoid a late payment charge when renewing your nursery license.
NEW! Due to concerns over COVID-19, the Pesticide Container Recycling Event scheduled on June 6, 2020 has been postponed until further notice. The new date will be posted as soon as it is determined.
NEW! Find links to the most up to date information for growers and residents on our Citrus Quarantine Program page ***Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) and Huanglongbing (HLB) Information***
USDA California Farm Service Agency Opens Office Space in San Diego County to Assists Farmers and Ranchers Needs. FSA office hours are 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month. FSA office located at 900 Canterbury Place, Escondido, CA 92025. Please see this press release for more information.
Agriculture, Weights and Measures
Shared Mission
Promoting a thriving agricultural community, healthy residents and balanced environment. Supporting a fair marketplace and consumer confidence in the accuracy of product weight, measure and price.
We serve you by protecting public health, the environment and local agriculture.
Here is a sample of what we do:
- Ensure the safe use of pesticides and investigate illnesses
- Prevent the establishment of pests that require pesticide controls, sting or severely injure people, or inhibit growing fresh nutritious fruits, vegetables and other plants
- Promote the use of effective biocontrol measures
- Regulate organic growers, certified producers and certified farmers’ markets to allow local marketing of fresh commodities
- Ensure accurate net quantity of packaged goods and accuracy of commercial weighing, measuring and scanning devices
- Protect people from injury and disease caused by wildlife
Translations: Spanish, Tagalog, Farsi, Arabic, Chinese, Vietnamese
Private Applicator Certification Exam: Schedule Online
Private Applicator Certificate Exams can now be scheduled online. Please click the button below to schedule your exam.
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