From left, Emily Reynolds, Cornell Cooperative Extension executive director; Jennifer Russo, Cornell Lake Erie Regional Grape team leader; and Madonna Martin, field assistant, show supplies to stay safe from COVID-19 available to farmers, free of charge.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s Agricultural Program is helping provide personal protective equipment to help keep farm owners and employees safe.

As part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s effort to distribute New York State Clean brand hand sanitizer to the most impacted and high-risk communities affected by the COVID-19 virus, the state Department of Agriculture and Markets, with help from local Cornell Cooperative Extension offices, has been distributing sanitizer and face coverings to agricultural producers’ operations across the state.

In Chautauqua County, supplies of hand sanitizer and face coverings are still available. The program is available for farm owners to distribute to their employees and for themselves. There is no cost for these products to farmers. For non-farm businesses, supplies can be requested from Chautauqua County Emergency Services, through a fillable form available on their website at www.chautcofire.org/.

Hand sanitizer and face coverings for farms can be picked up at the following locations, dates and times:

¯ CLEREL, 6592 West Main Road; Portland, on Monday from 10 a.m. to noon as well as upcoming Mondays from 10 a.m. to noon, until supplies are gone.

¯ Jamestown Community College parking lot near the Carnahan Building, 525 Falconer St., Wednesday, June 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Production farms of any type are welcome to come pick up supplies. These farms can include dairy, livestock, grapes, vegetables, farm stands, U-Pick, nursery, equine, and craft beverage. It is required to sign up for supplies at chautauqua.cce.cornell.edu/resources/hand-sanitizer-and-face-maks-request. For more information, call Lisa Kempisty at 664-9502, ext. 203, for more information by leaving a message and a phone number. Calls will be returned as quickly as possible.