In light of the current events and developments surrounding COVID-19, Jones Valley Teaching Farm has suspended all programming including: Good School Food, open volunteer hours, and our production internship.

We are currently working with city agencies and other non-profits to share helpful information as it relates to food accessibility in our community.

We will continue to grow food on all seven of our teaching farms for as long as we are allowed, and we will follow the safety guidelines provided by CDC and WHO and taking additional measures such as, limiting contact between our staff and our sites, holding distanced meetings, and adjusting our crop plans to focus on future needs and much smaller field teams than normal.

In the meantime, here are additional resources:

• Birmingham Strong: 

A Coalition of public, private and civic leaders and organizations collaborating to serve as Birmingham’s COVID-19 Information and Resource Center https://bhamstrong.com/

Has COVID-19 impacted your ability to access food? #BhamStrong is working on coordinating meal deliveries and pickup spots in the city. Please fill out this survey: https://bhamstrong.com/food

Do you have resources or a support program to help feed Birmingham residents affected by COVID-19?  Please fill out the survey to help #BhamStrong populate a database to coordinate our community’s food prep, delivery, and distribution resources. https://bhamstrong.com/community-resource-form

• Alabama Cooperative Extension System

https://www.aces.edu/blog/tag/coronavirus/?details=true

• 2-1-1 Information and Referral Center:

Just dial the numbers 2-1-1 to get connected to a live operator who will provide the latest information regarding available resources. If you have any resources or services to add to the 2-1-1 database, please dial 2-1-1 and they will work with you to get them added.

• Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels needs volunteers now. Sign up here: https://www.mowjeffco.org/volunteer/volunteer-application/

• Mental Health Resources

• • • • • 24 Hour Crisis & Suicide Line: 205-323-7777
        • 24 Hour Rape Response Hotline: 205-323-7273
        • UTalk (3 PM – 10 PM) – 205-328-5465
        • Senior Talk Line – 205-328-8255

If you’re feeling alone and struggling, you can also reach out to The Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.

• Small Business Needs

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has set up additional resources related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). SBA is working directly with the State Governors to provide targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses and non-profits severely impacted by the virus. Visit SBA.gov/Disaster for more details and to apply.

• Ways to Give Financially

Please don’t forget our first responders, medical personnel, service industry personnel, small business owners, restaurants, food pantries, food banks, and so many more who are facing challenges every day. In the case of your favorite local restaurant, bar or retail shop, consider buying gift cards now to use later. Here are two funds designed to help small businesses specifically:
https://cfbham.networkforgood.com/projects/95441-birmingham-strong-fund
https://www.uwca.org/covid19/

Thank you for your support and concern. Please also consider donating to our work here: https://jvtf.org/donate/

Moving forward together,
JVTF