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Food Safety Subject Matter Expert Interview: Cleaning & Sanitizing with Dr. Ruth Petran formerly with Ecolab
Dr. Ruth Petran formerly with Ecolab joins us for a subject matter expert interview, sharing her knowledge on sanitation practices and best practices. Although we discussed cleaning, disinfection, and sanitizing during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Petran shares tips that should be used year round. Interview Recording More Resources: FDA’s Oral Culture Learner Project […]
February 18, 2021
Food Safety Subject Matter Expert Interview: Group GAP Certification with Farmer Roberto Meza from Emerald Gardens in CO
Roberto Meza from Emerald Gardens Microgreens in Colorado joins us for two interviews discussing his Group GAP certification process. In interview 1, Roberto tells us about his pre-audit preparations. In interview 2, Roberto shares his experience and reflections throughout the audit process. Interview 1 Recording Interview 2 Recording
Food Safety Subject Matter Expert Interview: Hygienic/Sanitary Design with Chris Callahan and Andy Chamberlain from UVM Extension
Andy Chamberlain and Chris Callahan from University of Vermont’s Ag Engineering department join us for a conversation around hygienic design for all size farm operations. Interview Recording
Forced-Air Cooling
In this publication, NC State Extension offers information on forced-air cooling and considerations for how to do it efficiently. Forced-Air Cooling Publication
December 20, 2019
Forced-Air Cooling Systems
This factsheet from Ontario’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs offers information on various forced-air cooling systems, their components, and cost-benefit considerations. Forced-Air Cooling Systems Factsheet
FSMA Produce Safety Rule Water Testing Methods and Requirements
The Produce Safety Alliance created this tipsheet to outline the agricultural water quality monitoring requirements in the Produce Safety Rule. It includes the acceptable water testing methods, both quantitative and qualitative. As a grower, it is important to know that different water analysis methods are appropriate for different uses of agricultural water. FSMA Produce […]
Infotoons about Scientific Food Safety Concepts
These Infotoons from the University of Maine Extension help explain food safety scientific concepts. They may be something you want to include in your worker training (even if you’re the only worker on your farm!). Bacterial Evolution Exponential Growth Infection and Intoxication Cross-contamination Biofilms Irrigation Water Safety
December 31, 2020
Irrigation System Inspection
Farms subject to the Produce Safety Rule are required to do an inspection of their agricultural water system at least once annually. This video from Michigan State University Extension explains how to do an inspection. Irrigation System Inspection Video Mapping your water system is a helpful step to take before doing the inspection. […]
December 20, 2019
Land Risk Assessment Sample SOP
This SOP from Cornell Cooperative Extension can be used with the Land Risk Assessment Log Template to document and understand risks on your farm land. Sample Land Risk Assessment SOP
February 17, 2021
Lean and Clean Workshop Recording and Resources
This workshop explored the framework of lean farming and how it can be applied to organize our farms while integrating produce safety and creating systems that work for us. We discussed the lean tools of 5S, spaghetti diagrams, and poka yoke, or mistake-proofing, and where these tools can help farmers prevent contamination of produce and […]
March 10, 2021
Managing Wildlife and Domesticated Animal Intrusion and Contamination Sample SOP
Cornell created this sample SOP to help farmers manage wildlife and domestic animal intrusion in their growing areas. Feel free to adapt to your operation. Managing Wildlife and Domestic Animal Intrusion and Contamination Sample SOP
October 16, 2019
Mapping Your Farm
Mapping your farm can be a great way to visualize where risks exist. A map can be drawn by hand, on the computer, or pulled from Google Maps. It can be zoomed out of the entire property or zoomed in to a specific area of your farm, like your packhouse or wash station. Consider: current […]
December 16, 2019
Microbial Water Quality and Aquaponics
This guide from the University of Hawai’i-Mānoa dives into the risk posed by water and animal feces to an aquaponic produce farm compared to soil-based vegetable production and examines the quality of water in an aquaponics system. Microbial Water Quality and Aquaponics
October 8, 2019
Model Recall Plan
This template was created by the University of Maryland’s Agriculture Law Education Initiative to help farmers think through what they would do in the event of a produce recall. Farmers can plug in their information directly and check out the additional templates, logs, checklists, and questionnaires for different aspects of a recall and traceability. […]
September 9, 2019
Modified Secchi Disk
Most secchi disks available for purchase are used for determining the turbidity of bodies of water. Below are pictorial instructions from the Center for Produce Safety and UC Davis for creating a modified secchi disk that would serve a farmer’s needs.
December 16, 2019
Monitoring Logs for Wildlife and Domestic Animal Intrusion During Production Season
These templates come from the Missouri Department of Agriculture and Cornell University, respectively, to help growers monitor animal activity in their production areas during the growing season. They can be edited as growers see fit. Wildlife and Domestic Animal Monitoring Log_MO Dept of Ag Animal Monitoring Log_Cornell
December 20, 2019
NSAC FSMA Flowchart: Produce Rule & Preventive Controls
This flowchart from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) will help farmers understand if they are covered by the Preventive Controls Rule and/or the Produce Safety Rule. NSAC Flowchart Preventive Controls & PSR
September 9, 2019
On-Farm Illness and Injury Reporting Sample Log
This log from Cornell University can be used to log any reported illness and injury that occurs on the farm. Sample Illness/Injury Reporting Log
February 10, 2021
On-Farm Illness and Injury Sample SOP
This sample SOP developed by Cornell outlines what to do if someone on-farm becomes ill or gets injured. Feel free to edit to suit your farm’s needs. On-Farm Illness & Injury Sample SOP
October 16, 2019
Portable Handwashing Stations
Hand washing is one of the most important food safety practices, and it is no surprise that the Produce Safety Rule creates certain requirements for how and when workers must wash their hands. Below are many different models of portable handwashing stations that could work for various farm operations, depending on size and scale. These […]
December 20, 2019
Post-Harvest Water Monitoring Sample Log
Cornell developed this sample post-harvest water monitoring log to help monitor temperature, pH, and overall water quality. Sample Post-harvest Water Monitoring Log
February 11, 2021
Pre-Harvest Risk Analysis Template
Penn State Extension developed this template for doing a pre-harvest assessment. Pre-Harvest Risk Analysis
December 20, 2019
Pre-Plant Risk Assessment Sample SOP
Cornell created this sample SOP to help farmers assess the risk of wildlife and domesticated animals in or near areas where produce is growing. Pre-Plant Risk Assessment Sample SOP
October 16, 2019
Pre-Planting Assessment Documentation Sample Template
This template from Kansas State Extension helps document pre-planting information such as wildlife activity, water sources, and previous soil contamination events. Pre-Planting Assessment Documentation Template
February 17, 2021
Produce Safety Alliance’s Required Records Tipsheet & Templates
The Produce Safety Alliance created this tipsheet that includes templates of records that farmers need to keep to be in compliance with the Produce Safety Rule, including the Annual Review template for Qualified Exempt farms. These templates are available as a PDF and a Word document. PSA Records Required by FSMA PSR PDF […]
October 17, 2019
Produce Safety Case Study: Love is Love Farm
We talked to Demetrius Milling of Love is Love Farm just outside of Atlanta, GA about the joys and challenges of farming within a close-knit community. He shared with us how they approach maintaining a safe product while actively involving the community on the farm.
January 28, 2020
Produce Safety Case Study: Mountain Roots Produce
We talked to Mike Nolan of Mountain Roots Produce in Mancos, CO about their (relatively) new packhouse. He shared with us the building logistics and all the considerations that went into the design.
Produce Safety Case Study: Prairie Drifter Farm
We talked to Joan Olson of Prairie Drifter Farm in Litchfield, MN about how she and her husband Nick have improved produce safety practices on their farm, including their approach to training employees. She dives into their worker training process for seasonal employees and workshare CSA members as well as the improvements and policies they […]
Produce Safety Case Study: Topp Fruit, LLC
We talked to Harrison Topp of Topp Fruit, LLC in Paonia, CO on the Western Slope about writing a farm food safety plan and keeping records along with how he and his partner Stacia incorporated rotational grazing into their operation. He shared with us the challenges of recordkeeping, especially in order to pass a GAP […]
Produce Safety Focus Group: Produce Safety for Hydroponic & Aquaponic Operations w/ Sarah Ann Horton
Sarah Ann Horton from Square Roots in New York shares produce safety knowledge for hydroponic and aquaponic operations. Join us to learn not only about practices, but also how to train staff about produce safety. Focus Group Recording Focus Group Transcript Resources: Square Roots The Lean Farm by Ben Hartman
February 3, 2021
Rainwater Harvesting and Food Safety
This tipsheet breaks down considerations for mitigating food safety risks when harvesting and using rainwater on fresh produce. Rainwater Catchment Tipsheet
April 30, 2021
Resources translated into Spanish language
Guía Práctica del Pequeño Agricultor Proyectos de Agricultura Colectiva y la Inocuidad Alimentaria Captación de Agua de Lluvia y la Inocuidad Alimentaria Los Voluntarios y la Inocuidad Alimentaria Guía práctica del pequeño agricultor para crear un Plan de Inocuidad Alimentaria para su Granja
October 18, 2021
Restroom Monitoring and Cleaning Sample Log
This log from Cornell helps document the cleaning and monitoring of restrooms used by farm staff. Sample Restroom Log
February 10, 2021
Risks Posed by Cats on Produce Farms
This tipsheet from Michigan State University Extension outlines the risks posed by cats on produce farms, whether they are working animals or feral. Cat Risks on Produce Farms
December 31, 2020
Rock Steady Hygiene and Sanitation Practices
This document is the hygiene and sanitation practices outlined by Rock Steady Farm & Flowers for their 2020 season. Rock Steady Hygiene & Sanitation Practices
March 22, 2021
Sample Documentation Forms for Organic Crop Producers
The National Organics Program created this packet of templates and logs for organic crop producers. Adopt them for your operation! NOP Crop Documentation Forms
February 17, 2021
Sample Handwashing SOP
The Produce Safety Rule outlines specific handwashing steps that Cornell captured in this SOP. Use it to explain to employees and visitors how to properly wash their hands. Sample Handwashing SOP
October 16, 2019
Sample SOP for Cleaning Bathroom
This sample SOP outlines daily, weekly, and monthly tasks for cleaning a bathroom and can be adapted to any farm operation. SOP Cleaning Bathroom
December 20, 2019
Sample SOP for Cleaning Handwashing Sink
This sample SOP for when and how to clean a handwashing sink can be adapted to fit any operation. Cleaning Handwashing Sink SOP
Sample Visitor Log
This sample visitor log from Cornell helps farmers keep track of who is coming to the farm, why, and how much time they are spending on-farm. Sample Visitor Log
October 16, 2019
Sample Worker Training Log
Cornell developed this sample worker training log to help farmers document the parts of their employee training program that are required by the Produce Safety Rule. Sample Worker Training Log
Soil Amendment Application Sample Log
This sample log documents and tracks the application of soil amendments. This log can be applied to specific fields/growing areas or farm land as a whole. Sample Soil Amendment Application Log
February 17, 2021
Template Letter of Conformance for Compost Companies
This is a template letter of conformance for compost companies to ensure their product meets the definition of a treated biological soil amendment of animal origin (BSAAO) in the Produce Safety Rule. If your compost company does not already offer a similar letter, you can ask them to fill this out to ensure they are […]
December 31, 2020
Tipsheet for Selecting a Sanitizer
This tipsheet from the Produce Safety Alliance will help growers decide whether or not to use a sanitizer and, if choosing to use one, how to choose an adequate sanitizer for their operation. Selecting a Sanitizer Tipsheet
December 19, 2019
Tipsheet on Infiltration
Infiltration occurs when warm produce is placed into cool water and the water is pulled into the produce. This tipsheet from UMass Extension offers more information on the process and practices for reducing the risk of infiltration. UMass Tipsheet on Infiltration
December 20, 2019
Toilet Paper Disposal Poster
This Spanish-English bilingual poster can be purchased from Cornell to help farmers explain to their workers that they need to put soiled toilet paper in the toilet, not in the garbage can. Toilet Paper Disposal Poster
September 9, 2019
Transportation Tracking Sample Log
This log helps keep track of produce transportation, vehicle and driver information, and drop off locations. Sample Transportation Log
February 11, 2021
Produce Safety Best Practices for Farm Stands and U-Pick Operations
This guide from the North Central Region for FSMA Training, Extension, and Technical Assistance gives some pointers for farms that have lots of visitors, including liability signage, and how to talk to visitors about handwashing, pets, parking, and not visiting while sick. Produce Safety Best Practices for Farm Stands and U-Pick Operations […]
September 12, 2019
Vegetable Wash Sinks, Tanks, and Basins
This guide from the University of Vermont Extension provides information on various options for vegetable wash sinks, tanks, and basins and upgrades that can be made for efficiency and ergonomics. Vegetable Wash Sinks, Tanks, & Basins
December 31, 2020
Video to Use Quickbooks to Generate Qualified Exempt Annual Review
This is a video aimed at Qualified Exempt farmers who use Quickbooks to manage their income (and expenses, of course, but we’re just talking about income here). Qualified Exempt farmers need to fill out paperwork each year to prove that they’re exempt, which needs to show their income from food and how much of that […]
January 29, 2020
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