North Carolina departments and agencies are working together to provide 900,000 face masks and other protective gear to workers in the agriculture industry. | Adobe Stock
North Carolina departments and agencies are working together to provide 900,000 face masks and other protective gear to workers in the agriculture industry. | Adobe Stock
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is providing agriculture workers with personal protection equipment as part of its efforts to prevent outbreaks in the critical industry.
The department and the North Carolina Cooperative Extension planned recently to dole out more than 900,000 masks, hand sanitizers and other necessary supplies to the Warren County Cooperative Extension and others in the statewide program, an Aug. 31 press release on the Warren County website said.
The extensions will then make the protective equipment available to farmworkers and agricultural sites in their respective areas.
"Agriculture is vital to our economy and food supply, and it is critical that we protect farmworkers and their families from this virus," Gov. Roy Cooper said in the news release.
Warren County farmers who need the protective gear can contact the extension at 252-257-3640 or online at warren.ces.ncsu.edu to connect with one of the local extension agents.
"Some of these supplies have been difficult for farmers to source as demand has exceeded supply," Agriculture Secretary Steve Troxler said in the release. "I am grateful that farmworkers and farmers have been prioritized for these much-needed materials."
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