Enrollment for CFAP2 Applications can be submitted starting September 21, 2020 and will be accepted until December 11, 2020.  Applicants will be required to have a farm record on file with their local Farm Service Agency (FSA).

▶ If producers applied for CFAP1, these documents will already be on file.

▶ In cases where CFAP1 was not applied for, producers may need to complete the following forms with FSA; CCC-902 Farm Operating Plan; CCC-901 Member Information; CCC-941 Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) Certification; AD-2047 General Information, AD-1026 Conservation Certification.

Additional resources, information & the CFAP2 Application (referenced as AD-3117), can be completed online at www.farmers.gov/cfap.

Additional industry specific information, created by AmericanHort, can be found at: CLICK HERE.

Question?
Contact WSNLA at (253) 661-6055,  breanne@wsnla.org

Thursday, August 13, 2020     

Nursery Crops & The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program

• Nursery crops means decorative or non-decorative plants grown in a container or controlled environment for commercial sale. 
• Cut flowers include cut flowers and cut greenery from annual and perennial flowering plants grown in a container or controlled environment for commercial sale.
   

Nursery crop and cut flower producers can begin submitting CFAP applications the week of August 17.  

Learn more at https://www.farmers.gov/cfap.  
Frequently Asked Questions at https://www.farmers.gov/cfap/faq

FREE WEBINAR, Monday August 17 - Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) - A Focus on Horticulture Industry Eligibility & How to Apply.  Scroll down & click the link below to reserve your seat. 

How can you utilize the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program? Register Now for the Webinar The U.S. Department of Agriculture has recently expanded eligibility for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), as most nursery and floriculture crops now qualify for relief. The program provides direct assistance payments to eligible commodities for which significant losses occurred due to pandemic-related market disruption. AmericanHort will be joined by Matthew Farrell of K·Coe Isom, the nation’s leading agricultural consulting and accounting firm, who will share his expertise on this program and discuss eligibility and the application process. The application period has been extended until September 11. This webinar will include a Q&A period and is available to AmericanHort and green industry members. Can’t make the webinar? Register to receive a link to the recording by email. Save Your Seat

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Agriculture Covid-19 Requirements: Protections for Farmworkers in Housing, Transportation & Jobsites.

On May 28, Gov. Jay Inslee today laid out additional health and safety guidelines for the agriculture industry.

These requirements clarify and expand the standards necessary to implement a cohort model described in the previously released housing rules. The cohort model can reduce the risk of transmission of the virus and enables contact tracing efforts to quickly identify, trace, test and isolate close contacts of workers.

The requirements in this proclamation will protect workers:

• In the fields and orchards,
• In packing houses for fruit and vegetables, and
• On employer provided transportation.
  

These requirements do not apply to meat or other food processing operations.

CLICK HERE to read the complete announcement on The Governor’s Medium page.

• Effective June 8, Facial Coverings & Masks Required at Work; Some Exceptions Allowed.
• Regulatory Guidance & Shared Best Practices

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Effective June 8, Cloth Facial Coverings Required at Work;
Some Exceptions Allowed.

Beginning June 8, all employees will be required to wear a cloth facial covering, except when working alone in an office, vehicle, or at a job site, or when the job has no in-person interaction. Employers must provide cloth facial coverings to employees, unless their exposure dictates a higher level of protection under the Department of Labor and Industries' safety and health rules and guidance. Refer to Coronavirus Facial Coverings and Mask Requirements for additional details.  Employees may choose to wear their own facial coverings at work, provided it meets the minimum requirements. 

Employers must also post signage at their place of business strongly encouraging customers to wear cloth facial coverings.  Businesses are encouraged to require customers to wear cloth facial coverings, in order to protect employees from exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace. 

This announcement brings together general requirements for all business operations, including essential businesses operating outside of industry-specific guidance. 

CLICK HERE to read the complete article on The Governor's Medium Page.

Business Specific Guidelines & Resources

• Guidance & Share Business Practices Independent Garden Centers
• Guidance & Shared Business Practices for Greenhouse Growers & Production Nurseries
• Guidance & Shared Business Practices for Landscape Professionals

Phase 1 Landscape Industry COVID-19
Requirements Released

This evening, the Governor released Phase 1 Landscape Industry COVID-19 Requirements  providing guidance for landscape businesses, including gardening, lawn care, design, greenery and hardscape maintenance, and arboriculture, and other substantially similar activities, to safely operate.  
 

Landscape services and outdoor maintenance” does not extend to outdoor construction, which is covered by the Governor’s April 29, 2020, memorandum entitled Implementation of Phase 1 Construction Restart – Proclamation 20-25. Indoor landscape services and maintenance, including interiorscaping will be covered in Phase 2. However, WSNLA will continue to advocate for sooner. 

Click here to download the Landscape Industry COVID-19 Requirements
Memo -  criteria for resuming landscape services & outdoor maintenance
under Phase 1 and is effective as of May 8, 2020

No landscape services businesses may operate until they can meet and maintain all the requirements in this document, including providing materials, schedules and equipment required to comply. Currently operating landscape service and outdoor maintenance professionals must be in compliance no later than May 15, 2020.  Moving forward, it is expected that businesses independently implement requirements. There will be no agency approval to release.

All businesses in landscape services have a general obligation to keep a safe and healthy facility in accordance with state and federal law, and comply with the following COVID-19 worksite-specific safety practices, as outlined in Governor Jay Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” Proclamation 20-25, and in accordance with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries General Requirements and Prevention Ideas for Workplaces and the Washington State Department of Health Workplace and Employer Resources & Recommendations at https://www.doh.wa.gov/Coronavirus/workplace.

Questions?

• Employers can request COVID-19 prevention advice and help  from L&I’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH).
• Employee Workplace safety and health complaints may be submitted to the L&I DOSH Safety Call Center: (1-800-423-7233) or via e-mail to adag235@lni.wa.gov .
• General questions about how to comply with the agreement practices can be submitted to the state’s Business Response Center at https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/2562f1caf5814c46a6bf163762263aa5.

Additional Resources. Below please find resources to help guide your COVID-19 Safety Plan development:

• Safe Start Washington (Page 4 references requirements for operating businesses.) https://www.governor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/SafeStartWA_4May20_1pm.pdf
• WA Department of Health COVID-19 page

• Washington State Department of Health Resources and Recommendations
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers
• OSHA's Guidance for Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 (PDF)
• Department of Labor & Industries Guidance
• Department of Labor & Industries Guidance for construction
• WSNLA COVID-19 Resources Page

Additional Questions, Contact:

• Breanne Chavez, WSNLA Executive Director at breanne@wsnla.org

Guidance & Shared Best Practices:

If you are providing services under The Governor’s guidance language, you are required to develop a COVID-19 Business Safety Plan implementing required CDC and OSHA guidelines for social distancing and sanitation.

• On May 22, Coronavirus Facial Coverings & Requirements - UPDATED released by Department of L&I.
• On May 8, Phase I Industry Specific Landscape Guidelines released.
  
• On April 23, Construction, including Landscape Construction,Guidelines released by Department of L&I.
• On April 24, The Governor announces Phase 1 Construction Restart Plan and COVID-19 Jobsite Requirements
• General COVID-19 workplace requirements

Below please find a list of shared member and industry best practices: 

General:

• Educate team on your COVID-19 Safety Plan.
  • Implement daily all-hands communications within company to inform, educate and reinforce SOPs, BMPs and possible next steps.
  • Educate employees in the language they are most familiar with.
• Relax attendance policies to allow any employee who is uncomfortable working to stay home and use PTO or apply for UC.
• Contact and get permission from clients to be serviced- preferably in a documented format such as email or other time/date stamped electronic communication.
• Train crew personnel to be able to respond to questions from the public in a professional manner.
• Understand this is a fluid action plan that is being discussed regularly and may change frequently. Clearly communicate changes as needed.
• Be prepared to shutdown at any moment.

Workplace:

• Enforce cleaning and sanitation protocols for all common spaces including trucks, equipment, and the breakroom, locker room and restroom.
  • Wash hands when entering the shop and prior to going home.
  • Sanitize trucks; dashboard controls, steering wheel, handles, etc.  Use CDC approved cleaning products.
  • Sanitize all tools daily after use. Use the CDC approved cleaning products
• Employees will drive separately to job sites, only one person per vehicle. If Employees are required to use their own vehicles.
  • Assign one truck to one crew and do not rotate.
• Sick employees will be sent home, awaiting a doctors recommendation as to when they may return to work.
• Conduct daily employee health checks.
• Stagger crew start times to minimize congregation at office/shop locations.
  • Reduce crew size to compartmentalize the workforce into smaller isolatable segments.
• Office staff are encouraged to work from home when possible.
• All staff meetings moved to on-line or phone discussions.
• Employees are asked to keep all outside interactions to a minimum. The less interactions we have the better it will be for us all. This means:
  • Encourage team members to bring their lunch
  • Buy any snacks, drinks or candy that you need at the market once per week and bring it with you when you come to work each day.
  • The only stops should be absolutely essential and done as few times as possible each day; get gas one time per week, fill one truck with debris and dump as much as possible each time. 

At Job Sites:

• Eliminate client contact. Do not knock on the clients door to announce yourself.
  • In the scenario a customer appears, keep 10’ social distance from customers.
• Employees are instructed to wear garden gloves at all times, removing only to eat, drink, or touch your face.  Sanitizing appropriately to meet CDC guidelines.
• Each truck will have hand sanitizer to sterilize their hands when arriving on-site.
• If you must work near another person for a short period of time a face mask or covering is required.
• Minimize or eliminate use of shared equipment and tools. Sanitize accordingly to meet CDC guidelines.
• If a customer requests that you not work on their property contact your supervisor at once.
• Instruct crews to bring lunch to eliminate stopping for food service.
• Instruct crews to have 6 feet social distance while eating.
• Sanitize jobsite upon arrival and departure (gate handles; hoses; etc.) accordingly to meet CDC guidelines.

Additional Sources:

·         https://extension.psu.edu/coronavirus-best-management-practices-for-thegreen-industry

·         Sample Plan: Pacific Landscape Management

·         NALP: Member Shared Plans & Resources

WSNLA COVID-19 Member Communications: 

• • June 2 - Facial Coverings Requirement; Some Exceptions Allowed
  • May 8 - Phase I Landscape Specific Requirements Released
  • May 1 - Landscape Included in Phase I Re-Open
  • April 14 - Continued Guidance on Landscape Services
  • March 30 - Guidance on Landscape Services
  • March 25 - Seeking Clarification for Landscape Services
  • March 24 - "Essential Business" & Your Business

Guidance & Shared Best Practices:

Garden centers providing access for food grown at home can operate given they implement CDC guidelines and other best practices for social distancing and sanitation. This document provides COVID-19 operational recommendations for Washington Garden Centers and Retail Nurseries to implement in order to conduct business under Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 20-15, including:

• On May 22, Coronavirus Facial Coverings & Mask Requirements released.
• General Workplace Requirements

Modified Shopping Experience

•  Consider modified shopping experiences, including online shopping, call ahead orders, curbside pickup or delivery as available.
• Consider different days or locations for customers to pick up pre-ordered products and will limit assistance to customers when loading large stock.
• Limit the number of customers in Garden Center/Nursery at one time so that social distance of 6-feet between customer groups may be maintained. Some garden centers have transitioned to offering shopping by appointment only.
• Limit the number of customers near the cash registers and in the store at any given time. Many retailers are marking the floor in check-out lines to enforce 6 foot social distancing.
• Have a Clear Process for Curbside Pickup. Communicate in Advance to Customers:
  • Ask customer if they would like to load their own car.
  • Paint numbers on parking spaces; customers call upon arrival to notified which parking spot they are in.
  • Request customers to open their trunk; return to car or step back 6 feet; staff loads and steps away; customers close trunk.
  • Bring plants and materials to curbside pick-up for customer to load.
• Communicate, Communicate, Communicate! Update your website and social media with clear communication about your systems for how customers can purchase your products.

Social Distancing & Sanitation

•  Follow CDC recommendations for cleaning and disinfecting and implement sanitation practices, including for equipment such as carts, check out areas, and display stands.
• Facilities should actively maintain routine, scheduled cleaning and sanitization of both production and nonproduction areas. Focus on high risk areas (restrooms, break rooms, locker rooms, first aid areas, etc.) and surfaces (doorknobs, handrails, telephones, faucets, electronics, etc.) that employees regularly come in contact with, and clean and disinfect them frequently and on a regular and schedule.
  
• Follow CDC recommendations for social distancing between staff, and between staff and customers
• Consider posting signage throughout the sales area encouraging customers to only touch or pick-up containers that they intend to purchase.
• Make large signs to display plant type, variety, cost and other details that may be on the small tags, to eliminate the need to touch the small tags.
• Clearly mark greenhouse doors with what types of plants are in each structure to limit unnecessary entrance and wandering.
• Prop doors fully open to eliminate a touchpoint. Consider foot-operated door openers (“handles”) where doors cannot be left open.
• Increase space between plants to clearly display them. This minimizes the need for customers to pick up and handle containers to inspect them.
  
• Allow for entrance through one door and exit through another for good traffic flow.
• During any season, be sure to do a safety walk-through before opening to the public to address tripping hazards, sharp corners and objects, unsecured overhead items, electrocution hazards, keys removed from equipment and implements down, etc.

Employee Health

• Sick employees MUST STAY HOME.
• Encourage/require staff and customers to wear face coverings.
• Not offer any food or beverages on-site – either for sale or for free to the public

Additional Resources:

• Minnesota Department of Agriculture: Guidance for Minnesota Garden Centers
•  LSU AgCenter – Public Health Emergency Response for Retail Store Managers
•  AmericanHort: What Members Are Doing
•  Tracking Your Coronavirus Costs
• Downloadable Social Distancing Signage

Webinars

• Zero Contact Sales: How to Get Through the Spring Season hosted by GardenCenter Magazine
• Sales & Marketing Tips for the Independent Garden Center, hosted by GardenCenter Magazine
  
  
• No Contact Sales, hosted by AmericanHort.
  Key Takeaways for No Contact Sales: 

• Information sharing on eCommerce software and integration with POS systems.
• Estimated Cost analysis for eCommerce: 8-10 people for phone, picking & delivery = $1200 day in labor
• Review your modified shopping experiences on an ongoing basis and adapt as necessary.
  Ie: Originally no charge for personal shopper or delivery; transition to minimum purchase; look at increasing minimum if required.
• Provide business cell phones to personal shop via facetime/text.
• Invest in photography. Set a goal of 50 – 200 items a day to be uploaded. Stage a universal site for photography.
• Shared reflections on biggest mistakes on launching eCommerce:
  • Logistics of picking orders. How to pull orders internally, including printing, dissemination; picking; confirmation; delivery.
  • Phase I: at first had 1 person do entire order. Phase II: Conduct mass pickings 1x a day; Phase III: Pick orders by department.
  • Communication is key as 1 department or employee hands off to the next in the process. Confirm final payment.
  • Set hours for pulling plant material.
  • The 'Cat is Out of The Bag". Moving forward eCommerce will remain.

WSNLA COVID-19 Member Communications: 

• •  
  • March 24 - "Essential Business" & Your Business

If you are providing services under The Governor’s guidance language, you are required to develop a COVID-19 Business Safety Plan that implements CDC and OSHA guidelines for social distancing and sanitation. 

• On May 28, Agricultural COVID-19 Requirements released.
• On May 22, Coronavirus Facial Covering & Mask Requirements updated by Department of L&I.
• On May 13, Farmworker Housing Emergency Rules released by Department of L&I
• On April 16, Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) issued specific coronavirus guidance for the agriculture industry addressing farm worker safety.  Along with this guidance for agriculture employers and workers, L&I is working on coronavirus guidance for agriculture temporary worker housing. WSNLA will share this guidance with members as soon as it is made available.

To protect workers from coronavirus, employers are required to:

• Maintain social distancing (keep workers at least six feet apart) or use effective engineering/ administrative controls;
• Ensure adequate hand washing facilities and frequent employee hand washing;
• Increase regular cleaning and sanitizing of common-touch surfaces;
• Make sure sick employees stay home (or are isolated) or go home, and that there are procedures for workers to report a suspected or confirmed coronavirus case; and
• Educate workers in the language they understand best about coronavirus and how to prevent transmission
  
  

Essential businesses are still required to comply with the state’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy proclamation. Detailed requirements and practices that support the above worker protections for agriculture operations can be found online at the state Department of Labor & Industries website and in these L&I fact sheets:

• Coronavirus prevention in agriculture and related industries
• Food processing-warehouse coronavirus fact sheet
• WA Department of Health recommendations for temporary worker housing
• Click here to read full press release from WA Department of L&I

Additional Sources for Best Practices:

• CA Department of Agriculture Guidance and Best Practices for Nurseries During COVID-19 Pandemic is available in English and Spanish
• AmericanHort: What Members Are Doing Tips
• Developing Guidelines for Pandemic & A Post-Covid Greenhouse World: Best Practices for Keeping Workers Safe in North American Greenhouses - Ball Horticulture

Warmly, 

Breanne Chavez, Executive Director
breanne@wsnla.org, 253.661.6055
Growing the Success of Members!

Resources for Pros: www.wsnla.org/COVID19
Source Plants, Products & Supplies: www.FindPlantsPNW.com
Resources for Consumers: www.GardenWashington.com

On March 31, Governor Inslee released a guidance document that included language on outdoor maintenance. This language is also now listed on the What's Open, What's Closed wepage.
                                                  

Outdoor maintenance, including vegetation, is deemed essential when necessary to prevent spoliation, avoid imminent damage, or address emergency repairs.

Based on the Governor's language clarifying outdoor maintenance, the guidance we are providing our members is that the basic necessary functions to keep the landscape healthy are allowed.  On April 9, WSNLA sent a letter directly to The Governor's Office communicating our continued guidance to members.  WSNLA continues to advocate for member businesses via legislators and directly to The Governor's Office.  Any necessary update to this guidance will be given accordingly.  

Basic maintenance functions identified in the letter are in line with WSNLA's previous member guidance given on March 30, including:

• Lawncare: Grass left to grow too long could trap moisture and encourage fungal diseases.  Allowing grass to grow long and then mowing it can send the plant into shock. Grass roots become diminished and the lawn weakens, making it susceptible to damage by insects and diseases.  Lack of mowing also allows weeds to spread more readily thus increasing the potential need for herbicide treatments later. Source: www.lawninstitute.org
• Maintaining Safety & Access to Buildings, sidewalks and public areas: Clearing pathways, removing litter, debris, and downed branches and pruning for site safety.
• Pest & Disease Management: Integrated pest management, including managing overgrowth to prevent fostering pests and diseases.
• Irrigation Startup & Repair: Ensuring proper water management supports overall plant health, as well as checking and repairing potentially hazardous breaks and leaks. Source: www.irrigation.org
  
• Emergency repairs, including but not limited to structural, erosion control or water.
• Also added, was Cultivation of Food Grown at Home, which includes providing services supporting food to be grown at home. 

If you are a single business owner operator with no in-person, on-site public interaction, there is language in The Governor's Proclamation 20-25 that addresses you specifically. It can be found near the end of the Proclamation:

This Proclamation shall not be construed to prohibit working from home, operating a single owner business with no in-person, on-site public interaction, or restaurants and food services providing delivery or take-away services, so long as proper social distancing and sanitation measures are established and implemented. 

This Is Not Business As Usual. No business at this time should be operating with the mindset that this is 'business as usual'.  Whether you are essential, essential with restrictions, or an individual operating with no in-person, on-site public interactions, all operating businesses are required to adapt practices and implement required CDC guidelines for social distancing and sanitation. 

With regards to enforcement, while The Governor has specifically stated that documentation is not needed, enforcement is now happening on the local level and via complaints made by community members.  If your business is operating, it is recommended to carry printed documentation that supports your ability to work. Click here for a template for your business to modify for use. 

Warmly, 

Breanne Chavez, Executive Director
breanne@wsnla.org, 253.661.6055
Growing the Success of Members!

Professional Resources: www.wsnla.org
Source Plants & Supplies: www.FindPlantsPNW.com
Consumer Resource: www.gardenwashington.com

Thank you for your patience as WSNLA requested clarification from The Governor's Office that landscape services is an approved essential business. Based on the clarification received by members, including WSNLA Board of Directors, below, please find further information to help guide your landscape business moving forward. WSNLA will continue to monitor this situation. Please watch for further updates and resources as they are known. Warmly, Breanne Chavez WSNLA Executive Director Growing the Success Of Our Members Resources for Pros:www.WSNLA.org Source Plants & Products:www.FindPlantsPNW.com Resources for Consumers:www.GardenWashington.com Landscape Construction Commercial and residential construction are not authorized as essential under the Governor’s proclamation, this is inclusive of landscape construction.The only exception is for emergency repairs or to prevent spoliation and avoid damage or unsafe conditions, this also applies to current jobsites that are needing to be shored up to a safe status, or to avoid damage.All activity must meet social distancing, worker protection, and appropriate health screenings before proceeding. Non essential businesses are allowed minimum basic operations, as described in (3)(d) of the Proclamation. Section 3 (d) For purposes of this Proclamation,minimum basic operations are the minimum activities necessary to maintain the value of the business’ inventory, preserve the condition of the business’ physical plant and equipment, ensure security, process payroll and employee benefits, facilitate employees of the business being able to continue to work remotely from their residences, and related functions. Landscape Maintenance Per communication from The Governor’s Office, commercial and residential landscape maintenance is essential, but only to the extent necessary to prevent imminent damage or spoliation of hardscape or greenery. Routine maintenance is not permitted.   Therefore, the basic necessary functions to keep the landscape healthy are allowed. This is inclusive of lawn care, integrated pest management. ensuring plant health and success, irrigation start up/repair, clearing pathways and ensuring safe access to and from buildings, and the cultivation and maintenance of food grown at home. This designation could change in the future if further restrictions are required. Please be mindful in maintaining this designation and adhere to required the guidelines for social distancing and sanitation.As a reminder, the Governor has stated that businesses continuing to operate are required to designate an individual to create a comprehensive plan to address public health requirements. WSNLA is compiling a list of suggested best practices for businesses to use. This plan must be communicated to employees and customers.Your social distancing & sanitation measures must adhere to:   United States Department of Labor’s Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 at https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf Washington State Department of Health Workplace and Employer Resources & Recommendations at https://www.doh.wa.gov/Coronavirus/workplace.   Landscape Design Per the Governor’s Proclamation, if you are a single owner business with no in-person, on-site public interaction, your business is exempt and is allowed to provide services so long as proper social distancing and sanitation measures are established. See language below: This Proclamation shall not be construed to prohibit working from home,operating a single owner business with no in-person, on-site public interaction,or restaurants and food services providing delivery or take-away services,so long as proper social distancing and sanitation measures are established and implemented.   Enforcement Per theGovernor’s Proclamation:   No business pass or credentialing program applies to any activities or operations under this Proclamation. Violators of this order may be subject to criminal penalties pursuant to RCW 43.06.220(5). https://washingtonstatewire.com/how-stay-home-stay-healthy-will-be-enforced/   Some businesses are providing documentation to their traveling staff as a preventative measure. It is up to individual businesses to provide this documentation for their staff.

WSNLA is continuing to seek clarification regarding landscape services as it pertains to the language on the Governor’s List of essential businesses.  A formal request has been submitted to The Governor’s Office.  As you can imagine, they have received an excessive amount of inquiries.  While we were hopeful to provide guidance to you today, it is our expectation a response to our request for clarification will be received by the end of the week.  As soon as it is received, we will notify you accordingly.   

Thank you for your patience as we navigate these unchartered waters together.

Warmly,

Breanne Chavez

WSNLA Executive Director

Growing the Success of Our Members!

Resources for Professionals: www.WSNLA.org

Source Plants & Products: www.FindPlantsPNW.com

Resources for Consumers: www.GardenWashington.com

Last night, Governor Inslee issued a ‘Stay Home, Stay Healthy’ order which will be effective for a minimum of two weeks.  Based on the Governor's list, production nurseries and garden centers are deemed essential. 

WSNLA recognizes there is some ambiguity in regards to the landscape segment of our industry and ‘the essential business' definition posted by Governor Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy’ order issued.  We are working through our counsel, the WA State Department of agriculture and The Governor’s Office, to gain clarity, and will provide further guidance once clarity is provided. 

Download the complete list here

As a reminder, businesses exercising their right to remain open are required to implement strategies to address public health and social distancing that protect their employees and customers. Communication regarding these steps to your employees and customers is also required.  To learn more visit www.wsnla.org/COVID19

Greenhouse Growers, Production Nurseries

Nursery & Tree Production (NAICS 1111421)
This US industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in: 1) growing nursery products, nursery stock, shrubbery, bulbs, fruit stock, sod, and so forth, under cover or in open fields and/or 2) growing short rotation woody trees with a growth and harvest cycle of 10 years or less of pulp or tree stock.

• Food & Agriculture
  Farm workers and support service workers to include those who field crops; commodity inspection; fuel ethanol facilities; storage facilities; and other agricultural inputs

Garden Centers, Retail Nurseries
Nursery, Garden Center & Farm Supply Stores (NAICS 4444220)
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing nursery and garden products, such as trees, shrubs, plants, seeds, bulbs and sod, that are predominantly grown elsewhere. These establishments may sell a limited amount of product they grow themselves.  Also included in this industry are establishments primarily engaged in retailing farm supplies, such as animal (except pet) feed.

• Other Community-Based Government Operations & Essential Functions
  Commercial Retail Stores, that supply essential sectors, including convenience stores, pet supply stores, auto supplies and repair, hardware and home improvement, garden stores and nurseries that support food cultivation and production, office supply stores that support working-from home, and home appliance retailers.

Landscape Services

While the Governor’s list did not specifically mention landscape services/lawncare, WSNLA believes there is precedent that it is covered under the following categories.  We are working to gain clarity on this, and will provide further guidance as soon as possible.

Landscaping Services (NAICS 561730)

This industry comprises (1) establishments primarily engaged in providing landscape care and maintenance services and/or installing trees, shrubs, plants, lawns, or gardens and (2) establishments primarily engaged in providing these services along with the design of landscape plans and/or the construction (i.e., installation) of walkways, retaining walls, decks, fences, ponds, and similar structures.

Services to Buildings and Dwellings^T (NAICS 5617)

This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in one of the following: (1) exterminating and pest control services; (2) janitorial services; (3) landscaping services; (4) carpet and upholstery cleaning services; or (5) other services to buildings and dwellings.

• Other Community-Based Government Operations & Essential Functions
  Workers such as plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of construction sites and construction projects (including those that support such projects to ensure the availability of needed facilities, transportation, energy and communications; and support to ensure the effective removal, storage, and disposal of solid waste and hazardous waste).
• Emergency Services Sector - Essential Workforce - Public Works
  Workers such as plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences.

Warmly, 

Breanne Chavez, Executive Director
breanne@wsnla.org, 253.661.6055
Growing the Success of Members!

Resources for Professionals:  www.wsnla.org/COVID19
Source Plants & Products:  www.FindPlantsPNW.com
Resources for Consumers: www.GardenWashington.com