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Conservation and Food Safety: Facts, Tips, & FAQs
This guide covers how to foster healthy diverse ecosystems on farms while following good produce safety practices. Created by the Community Alliance with Family Farmers and the Wild Farm Alliance, it also includes tips on inspections and audits and a lovely illustration of conservation and food safety techniques used in tandem. A Farmer’s Guide […]
September 9, 2019
Building an Easy Clean Produce Wash Table
This guide from Cornell Cooperative Extensions gives step-by-step instructions on how to build an inexpensive, locally available produce wash table. Building an Easy Clean Produce Wash Table Guide
February 11, 2021
Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting
This guide from the University of Vermont Extension breaks down the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting for produce farmers. UVM Ext’s Guide to Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfection
December 23, 2020
Designing Wash and Pack Facilities
These two guides from Cornell Cooperative Extension offer diagrams and helpful tips in designing a wash and pack facility with a focus on food safety. The “Ideal” Wash & Pack Facility Layout Wash Line & Packing Shed Design for Food Safety
February 11, 2021
Installing an Electric Fence
Here are two guides for installing electric fencing to help deter animals out of growing areas. How to Install an Electric Fence Guide with Photos How to Install an Electric Fence Video from Tractor Supply Company
February 12, 2021
A Practical Guide to Aquaponics
This guide from the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension walks growers through the beginning considerations for implementing an aquaponics agricultural production system, including fish and plant choice and health, water source, nutrients, food safety, postharvest handling, and marketing. A Practical Guide to Aquaponics
September 9, 2019
A Small Farmer’s Practical Guide to Food Safety
We’re so proud to share our new food safety guidebook with you! It was created to help beginning farmers understand FSMA’s Produce Safety Rule and includes relevant information and examples from three years of training small-scale, diversified farmers on the topic of on-farm produce safety. We are deeply appreciative to Chelsea Matzen of the Local […]
January 28, 2020
A Small Farmer’s Practical Guide to Food Safety: Deep Dive Guide
We collaborated with PSA trainer and attorney Jeni Lamb Rogers to assist us in reviewing legal requirements and helping us to represent them in “The Small Farmer’s Practical Guide to Food Safety.” She also created a more comprehensive, legally-focused version of this book for growers who need to have an inspection or want more specifics […]
January 29, 2020
Wildlife and Domestic Animals
These sample SOPs from Cornell outline how to monitor for and assess risk from animal activity in produce fields during the season and immediately prior to harvest and what to do if you find fecal contamination. Monitoring Wildlife and Domestic Animal Activity During the Production Season SOP Pre-Harvest Assessment of Wildlife and Domestic […]
December 20, 2019
Aquaponics and On-Farm Food Safety
This guide from the University of Hawai’i-Mānoa provides good agricultural practices (GAPs) for aquaponics farms, touching on produce safety concerns, how to harvest safely, and water sources. Aquaponics and On-Farm Food Safety
September 9, 2019
Backflow Prevention for Produce Farms
This post from Chris Callahan with University of Vermont Extension AgEngineering dives into the importance of backflow prevention and steps farmers can take to reduce the risk of backflow. It includes information on the specifics of the Produce Safety Rule regarding backflow prevention, check valves, air gap drains, and floor sinks. Backflow Prevention for […]
Bins, Buckets, Baskets, and Totes
This guide from the University of Vermont Extension provides all sorts of considerations when choosing bins, buckets, baskets, and totes for your farm. Bins, Buckets, Baskets & Totes
December 31, 2020
Bodily Fluid Cleanup Tipsheet
This tipsheet from the North Central Region Center for FSMA and Iowa State University Extension offers best practices for handling bodily fluids, whether in the field, on food contact surfaces, or on workers’ clothing, and includes a list of what to include in a spill kit. Bodily Fluid Cleanup Tipsheet
December 19, 2019
Build a Handwash Station
This guide will walk you through the steps to build a handwash station on your farm. It doesn’t have to be costly or fancy to be effective! Build a Handwash Station
July 12, 2021
Build Your Own First Aid Kit
The Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) put together this resource to help farmers create their own first aid kit, touch enough to stand up to the wear and tear of farming. It provides a list of what to include in the kit and links for purchasing. Build Your Own Farm First Aid Kit […]
September 9, 2019
California LGMA Food Safety Practices
California Leafy Green Handler Marketing Agreement (LGMA) developed a set of food safety practices for leafy greens farms to protect public health by reducing potential sources of contamination and establish a culture of food safety on the farm. LGMA Food Safety Guidelines
December 20, 2019
Changing Post-Harvest Water
This sample SOP from Cornell outlines the steps needed in changing post-harvest water in a bulk yank, bin, or container. Sample SOP – Changing Post-harvest Water
February 10, 2021
Cleaning and Sanitizing
This sample SOP from Cornell University outlines cleaning and sanitizing surfaces, tools, and equipment after harvesting. Post-harvest Sanitization Sample SOP
February 11, 2021
Cleaning Transport Vehicles
This sample SOP covers the procedures needed to clean, load and unload produce transport vehicles. Cleaning Produce Transport Vehicles Sample SOP
Compost Production Record Sample Template
This sample template from the National Organics Program documents compost production. Track date, temperature, turning, and compost system with this log. Compost Production Record Sample Template
February 17, 2021
Compost Treatment Sample Log
This log template from the Missouri Department of Agriculture helps farmers track the time, turnings, and temperature of their compost piles. Compost Treatment Log
October 16, 2019
Cooler and Storage Area Cleaning and Inspection Sample Logs
These two logs are intended to monitor your cooler and storage areas. The cooler log is to monitor temperature. Use the Produce Storage Area Inspection and Cleaning Log to monitor any signs of pests, condensation or water, and document cleaning. Sample Produce Storage Area Inspection and Cleaning Log Sample Cooler Temperature Log
February 11, 2021
Collective Farming Efforts and Food Safety
This tipsheet will help you think through food safety considerations when working collectively with other farms and farmers. This could take many different forms, including an aggregated CSA or farmshare, shared market table, farmers cooperative, etc. Collective Farming Efforts + Food Safety
April 30, 2021
Worker Training Video
Cornell created this worker training video for on-farm use with employees. Cornell Worker Training Video
August 15, 2019
Disinfecting Your Well via Shock Chlorination
These resources from the Pensylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the University of Georgia (UGA) Extension offer guidelines and procedural steps for disinfecting a well (ground water), a process called shock chlorination. Disinfection of Home Wells and Springs_DEP Shock Chlorination_UGA
December 20, 2019
Drains and Drainage
This guide from the University of Vermont Extension provides background on planning for drains for and drainage from produce wash and pack areas. Drains and Drainage for Produce Farms
December 31, 2020
Farm & Community Garden COVID-19 Plan Templates
These templates and FAQ from the University of Minnesota Extension will help farmers and community gardeners develop a COVID plan for their growing spaces. These templates can also be used to begin thinking about a Farm Food Safety Plan. Produce Farm COVID-19 Plan Template Community Garden COVID-19 Plan Template COVID-19 FAQ for […]
December 21, 2020
First Aid Kit Monitoring Sample Log
This log from Cornell University is designed to maintain proper first aid kit supplies and ensure staff know where to find it. First Aid Kit Monitoring Log
February 10, 2021
Floor Design for Wash, Pack & Storage Areas
This guide from the University of Vermont Extension considerations for floor designs in produce wash, pack, and storage areas. Floor Design for Vegetable Wash, Pack, & Storage Areas
December 31, 2020
Food Safety Considerations for Flooding
This guide from Alabama A & M and Auburn University offers food safety considerations for during and after a flooding event. It is particularly relevant to producers in southern states. Food Safety Considerations for Flooding
Food Safety Decision Trees
These decision trees from Cornell University are helpful for growers’ preparing for GAP certification. The flow charts guide you in assessing risk on your farm, and also in the development of your food safety plan. Land Use Decision Tree Worker Health & Hygiene Decision Tree Postharvest Water Decision Tree Wildlife & […]
July 12, 2021
Food Safety Focus Group: Creating a Culture of Produce Safety on Your Farm w/ Roberto Meza
Roberto Meza from Emerald Gardens Microgreens in Colorado shares his experience in produce safety as it relates to his operation and GAP certification. Focus Group Recording Focus Group Transcript Resources: Group GAP information Emerald Gardens Microgreens
February 3, 2021
Food Safety Focus Group: CSA/Farmshare Distribution during COVID-19 w/ D. Rooney
D. Rooney shares practices and procedures taking place at her farm in New York and how to approach food safety during COVID-19. Join us for topics on produce safety from state laws, CSA shares, and farmer mental health and wellbeing. Focus Group Recording Focus Group Transcript Focus Group Resources: And, yes, wax […]
Food Safety Focus Group: CSA/Farmshare Distribution during COVID-19 w/ River Queen Greens
Annie Moore and Cheryl Nunes from River Queen Greens in Louisiana share information about their CSA distribution and how they have adapted to COVID-19. From portable hand washing sinks to coordinating CSA pickups, Annie and Cheryl discuss how to increase food safety practices during a pandemic. Focus Group Recording Focus Group Transcript […]
Food Safety Focus Group: Developing a Farm Food Safety Plan using the Young Farmers Guidebook w/ Mariah Foley
Mariah Foley from Rockbottom Ranch in Colorado shares how she used the Young Farmers Guidebook to create a Farm Food Safety Plan. Focus Group Recording Farmer Presentation
February 10, 2021
Food Safety Focus Group: Farm to School w/ Sarah Simon
Sarah Simon, formerly of Common Ground Farm in New York, discusses produce safety for the Farm-to-School Network. In our farmer-led conservation, we cover breaking in, relationship building, and food safety requirements. Focus Group Recording Focus Group Transcript Resources: Farm to School Legal Toolkit OMRI Product List Detergents and Sanitizers for Food Contact […]
February 3, 2021
Food Safety Focus Group: Food Safety for Urban Produce Aggregation and Distribution w/ Raqueeb Bey
Raqueeb Bey from Black Urban Gardeners & Farmers of Pittsburgh Co-op (BUGS) in Pennsylvania shares her food safety experience on Urban Farms. Focus Group Recording Focus Group Transcript Farmer Resources Resources: Black Urban Gardeners and Farmers of Pittsburgh Co-op
Food Safety Focus Group: Lean and Clean w/ Ellen Polishuk
Ellen Polishuk of Plant to Profit in Maryland shares how she thinks about produce safety within the lean farming framework. Focus Group Recording Focus Group Transcript Farmer Presentation Resources: The Lean Farm by Ben Hartman
December 21, 2020
Food Safety Focus Group: Making SOPs that Work for Your Farm w/ Josh Hardin
Josh Hardin from Southern Grown in Arkansas shares his Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) knowledge for improving produce safety. Join us for a discussion on how to create SOPs, teach them to staff, and make produce safety practices approachable. Focus Group Recording Focus Group Transcript Resources: Log Sheets and SOPs from Cornell University […]
February 3, 2021
Food Safety Focus Group: Produce Safety Building Blocks in Year 1 w/ Oscar Chavez
Oscar Chavez from Microledon Farm in South Carolina shares his produce safety building blocks for the first year of a new operation. Focus Group Recording Focus Group Transcript
Food Safety Focus Group: Produce Safety for Educational Farms w/ Paul Krysik
Join Paul Krysik of Windy City Harvest in Illinois for a conversation about produce safety for volunteers, farmers, apprentices of all ages and skill levels. Paul shares his SOPs and resources on how to train produce safety practices. Focus Group Recording Focus Group Transcript
Food Safety Focus Group: Produce Safety for Urban Farms w/ Germaine Jenkins
Germaine Jenkins from Fresh Future Farm in South Carolina leads our focus group about produce safety for urban farms. Join us for a conversation about how to adapt produce safety for a growing urban farm. Focus Group Recording Focus Group Transcript Resources: Fresh Future Farm
Food Safety Focus Group: Produce Safety Misconceptions with Damian Valdez
Produce safety educator Damian Valdez from California shares common produce safety misconceptions. Focus Group Recording Focus Group Transcript Farmer Resources
Food Safety Focus Group: Rotational Grazing w/ Harrison Topp from Topp Fruit, LLC
Harrison Topp from Topp Fruit in Colorado discusses rotational grazing as it relates to produce safety. Join us for a discussion covering mob grazing, harvesting, and nutrient management. Focus Group Recording Focus Group Transcript Resources: Rotational Grazing, Food Safety, and Endless Headaches
Food Safety Focus Group: Scaling Up Produce Safety Practices w/ Scott Chang-Fleeman
Scott Chang-Fleeman of Shao Shan Farm in California shares his produce safety practices as he scaled up his own operation. Focus Group Recording Focus Group Transcript Resources: UVM Ext’s Guide to Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfection
December 21, 2020
Food Safety Focus Group: Worker Training w/ Jenny Jack Farm
Jenny Jackson from Jenny Jack Farm in Georgia shares about their processes for training workers and apprentices. Join us for a farmer-led discussion about sanitization practices, worker training, and managing volunteers. Focus Group Recording Focus Group Transcript
February 3, 2021
Food Safety for Flooded Farms
The Produce Safety Alliance developed this tipsheet to help farmers assess the risk of contamination to their produce after experiencing a flood event. It helps distinguish different types of flooding and determine if a crop is safe to harvest. Food Safety for Flooded Farms
September 9, 2019
Wash and Pack Facilities
Cornell Cooperative Extension created this five part video series, covering food safety for wash and pack facilities. This 5-part series will walk you through principles of food safety, the ideal wash/pack facility layout, post-harvest water management, cleaning and sanitizing, and tips for cleaning larger washing equipment. Video Series Youtube Link
February 12, 2021
Food Safety Plan Companion Podcast
These audio podcast episodes are a companion to the Food Safety Plan Template. Listen along as you complete your food safety plan or just to hear farmers talk about how they address certain food safety topics every day on their farms. Episode 1 – Goal Setting and Farm Description Episode 2 – Community […]
October 15, 2021
Food Safety Plan Template
This Food Safety Plan Template is a guide for small farmers (not needing to pass an audit or inspection) to develop a food safety plan that is relevant and catered toward their farm and their needs. A companion podcast of farmers sharing their own food safety techniques is embedded in the guide. Food Safety […]
October 20, 2021
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