Commercial Farmers

 

COVID-19 CONTINUING PRECAUTIONS GUIDANCE - COMMERCIAL FARMERS

Phase 2 - 20th May 2020

The EMERGENCY POWERS (COVID-19 CONTINUING PRECAUTIONS) REGULATIONS 2020 are still in effect for commercial farming activities during this PHASE 2 period.

Should a commercial farmer be challenged by a member of the Bermuda Police Service, Royal Bermuda Regiment, or a member of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources you must present a copy of the letter issued by the Director of Environment and Natural Resources confirming you are a commercial farmer and your ID.

Should you wish to operate a roadside stand and you are not on the list below you should apply in writing to Mr. Tommy Sinclair (Agriculture Officer) at tjsinclair@gov.bm.

If you have any questions on this or any other matter related to agriculture, please feel free to contact us via 505-0164.

REGISTERED COMMERCIAL FARMERS:

Operations: As a permitted business during the curfew commercial farmers are allowed to move around in the course of performing their work as registered farmers. Permissible work activities include clearing, planting, maintaining, spraying, harvesting, monitoring, packaging and transporting of crops, animals, bees and other locally produced food stuffs.

Selling: Commercial farmers may sell from their place of business between 7am and 9pm Monday to Saturday, with payment being pre-paid or on site payment, as well as delivery of product, as per all directions of the Minister of Health at the following sites. Pre-paid and delivery services are encouraged.

  • Westover Farm, Sandys

  • J&J Produce - Farm Base, Astwood Park, Warwick

  • Wadson's Farm - Farm Base, Lukes Pond Road, Southampton

  • Amaral Farms - Farm Base, Bleak Farm, Watlington Road, Devonshire

  • Windy Bank Farms - Farm Base,Windy Bank, Middle Road, Smiths

  • Olander Farms - Farm Base, Jacob’s Point Road, St. George’s

  • DeSilva Farms – Farm Base, Marguarita Lane, Middle Road, Devonshire

  • Benjamim D'Estrella - Farm Base, 39 South Road, Warwick

  •   Pacheco & Sons – Farm Base, Locust Hall, Devonshire

  • Powell Farm – Farm Base, Watlington Lane, Devonshire

Commercial farmers may operate a roadside stand for the purpose of selling fresh local produce between the hours of 7am to 9pm, Monday to Saturday. A nightly curfew continues from 10pm until 6am.

Roadside Stand locations include:

  • J&J Produce - entrance of Melville South, Devonshire

  • J&J Produce - entrance of Astwood Park, Warwick

  • Amaral Farms - opposite Garthowen Estate, Devonshire

  • Benjamin D’Estrella – Burchall’s Cove, Hamilton Parish

  • Smith’s Farms – opposite White Hill Field, Sandys

  • Dill Pickles Farm – Rubber Tree, near Warwick Post Office; grass field just south of MAWI; Government Health Clinic, Hamilton (Wednesdays only), Shelly Bay Marketplace on occasion

  • Possibly various invited commercial growers - Shelly Bay Market Place

  • Saleem Madyun – Rockaway, Southampton; Tivoli Park, Warwick

  • Scratcher Farms – between Barnes Corner and Frank’s Bay, Southampton

  • Gardiner Fruits & Vegetables - Farm Base, Cedar Ave, Pembroke

  • D.R. Farms - Pond House Road, Smith’s

  • Raphael Barnett – Court Street, Pembroke

  • Jone’s Farm – Devon Springs Road, Devonshire

  • Wadson’s Farm – St. Paul’s Church parking lot, Paget (CSA pick-up area)

The surname customer system has been removed for roadside stands and farm bases any member of the public can be served on any day. However social distancing must be adhered to.

Both farm stand and roadside operations must adhere to all directions of the Minister of Health; including but not limited to a maximum of two vendors together, ensuring that the number of customers attending the area at any one time is limited and adhering to the approved 6 foot social distancing standards between customers.  Masks and gloves must be used by vendors and customers. Hand sanitizer must be available for the use of the sellers.  

Sites will be monitored for compliance by the Agriculture Officer, as well as the Bermuda Police Service and Royal Bermuda Regiment. Should any farm operation not be in compliance the Minister of Home Affairs authorizes the above officers to close that operation immediately and only allow it to reopen if directed by the Minister.

Should you encounter any theft or vandalism in your fields please contact the Bermuda Police Service at 211. 

Download the Phase 2 - 20th May 2020 guidance as a PDF