Agrifood Safety Produce Bites

This episode features Phil Tocco, an MSU Extension Educator for on-farm produce safety, and Claire Murphy, an assistant professor and extension specialist in produce safety at Washington State University. Claire discusses their research on the safety of postharvest water, including how they're sampling for sanitizer levels and the presence of bacteria. Together, Phil and Claire share best practices that growers and packhouses can consider implementing based on preliminary findings, particularly around monitoring and maintaining postharvest water quality.

This episode features Phil Tocco, an MSU Extension Produce Safety Educator, and Michelle Danyluk, a professor and extension specialist in microbiological food safety at the University of Florida. Michelle shares what her and her colleagues have learned from their research on cleaning and sanitizing leafy greens harvesters, and offers practical advice for how growers can keep their equipment clean.

"Bacteria cannot walk, but they can swim." In this episode, we dive into the science behind washing produce and its impact on both produce safety and product quality. Dr. Teresa Bergholz, an associate professor of food science at Michigan State University, shares her research on washing leafy greens and the factors that can influence microbial risk. Joining the conversation are Phil Tocco, a produce safety educator with MSU Extension, and Landen Tetil, a Produce Safety Technician, who offer insights into best practices for washing produce on the farm.

In this episode, we talk with Scott Monroe, a food safety educator with Purdue Extension, about Indiana's cantaloupe industry and the ongoing research to enhance its safety. Scott shares insights on the studies being done in response to the Evansville cantaloupe outbreaks, how the new FSMA water rule may help to reduce future similar outbreaks, and the work growers have done as part of their commitment to improving the safety of the cantaloupe.Additional Resources:Purdue, FDA join Indiana produce growers in multiyear food safety study

In this episode, we're joined by Kristin Esch from the FDA and Produce Safety Technicians Allissa Conley and Morgan Anderson as they dive into the history and purpose of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule. They discuss how it all started, why food safety is so important, and the benefits of a proactive versus reactive approach to produce safety.

In this special episode of Produce Bites, we're excited to share an insightful conversation originally recorded on The Food Safety Dish podcast, brought to you by the National Farmers Union's Local Food Safety Collaborative. In this episode, Kathryn Cavenaugh interviews Phil Tocco as they explore the new FSMA Produce Safety Rule on pre-harvest agricultural water, along with tips for assessing your own ag water for potential hazards and risks. A big thanks to Kathryn and the National Farmers Union for allowing us to cross-post this valuable episode.Additional Resources:Risk Prioritization Tool

In this episode, we're joined by Produce Safety Technicians Landen Tetil and Micah Hutchison to explore the concept of the "produce safety ladder." They discuss small but significant decisions you can make to climb this ladder and improve produce safety on your farm.

In this episode of Produce Bites, we explore the role of composting on the farm and the food safety considerations every grower should know. This episode features Morgan Anderson, Produce Safety Technician with the Ottawa Conservation District, and Eliza Hensel, Compost Systems Educator with Michigan State University Extension. They discuss their composting processes, the importance of validation and recordkeeping, best practices for handling and storing compost, and more.Additional Resources: On-farm compost production and Right to Farm - Eliza HenselTips for composting in the summertime - Eliza HenselMaster Composter Online CourseMichigan On-Farm Produce Safety

In this episode, Produce Safety Technicians Landen Tetil and Patrick Gordon talk about establishing a clean break. They discuss what is and isn't a clean break, why a clean break is important for food safety, and what it has to do with traceability.

The FSMA Produce Safety Rule does not give specifics on establishing no-harvest buffer zones, and it can be difficult for growers to determine the size of a no-harvest buffer zone when they find poop in the field. Laurel Dunn, assistant professor and food safety extension specialist at the University of Georgia, and Shirley Micallef, professor in the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture & Center for Food Safety and Security Systems at the University of Maryland, have conducted research on the dispersal of contamination due to rain splash on feces in produce fields. In this episode, Phil Tocco, extension educator for on-farm produce safety at Michigan State University Extension, talks with Laurel and Shirley to find out what they learned from their research, and what growers can take away from their findings. Additional ResourcesFull research article: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2024.1370495/full Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (LGMA)

In this episode, Produce Safety Technicians Micah Hutchison and Landen Tetil discuss how to reduce food safety risks when it comes to growing mushrooms. They also talk through regulations that growers should be aware of when processing mushrooms. Additional Resources:Food-Safe Fungi: Produce Safety Resources for Mushroom GrowersVideo: "Power Washing Only Spreads the Evidence"

This episode features Faith Critzer, Associate Professor at the University of Georgia studying fresh produce in the realm of food safety, and Phil Tocco, On-Farm Produce Safety Educator at MSU Extension. They talk about all of the surfaces apples touch from the time they are picked off the tree until they get to the grocery store and how to keep these surfaces clean.

Happy New Year! In this episode, Produce Safety Technicians Morgan Anderson and Allissa Conley talk about produce safety resolutions you can implement in the new year. Funding for this podcast was made possible in part by the Food and Drug Administration through grant PAR-16-137. The views expressed in the posted materials do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does any mention of trade names, commercial practices or organization imply endorsement by the United States Government.

The FSMA Produce Safety Rule requires that growers take a standardized food safety training recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Sara Runkel, a Local Produce Safety Coordinator with Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, and Steve Warshawer, Enterprise Development Manager with the La Montañita Food Co-op, are part of a team that is developing an equivalent training program to the Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Training that is accepted by the FDA. In this episode, Phil Tocco, Produce Safety Educator with Michigan State University Extension, talks with Sara and Steve to learn more about the details of this training, how it will compare to the PSA Training, and the key elements that make a produce safety training effective.Funding for this podcast was made possible in part by the Food and Drug Administration through grant PAR-16-137. The views expressed in the posted materials do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does any mention of trade names, commercial practices or organization imply endorsement by the United States Government.

Produce Safety Technicians Landen Tetil and Micah Hutchison swap produce safety "horror stories" from the field and share solutions to these frightful food safety situations. Additional Resources:Hand Sanitizer vs. Hand Soap (Nutella video) Contact a Michigan Produce Safety TechnicianFunding for this podcast was made possible in part by the Food and Drug Administration through grant PAR-16-137. The views expressed in the posted materials do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does any mention of trade names, commercial practices or organization imply endorsement by the United States Government.

Converting a washing machine into a greens spinner can be a cost-effective and efficient option for farms to spin their dry leafy greens, but what are the food safety risks that come with it? Amanda Kinchla, Extension Professor of Food Science at the University of Massachusetts, was a part of a research team that studied the microbial contamination risks of washing machine greens spinners and how it compared to commercially available units. In this episode, Micah Hutchison, a Produce Safety Technician, sits down with Amanda to learn more about her research, discuss the findings, and talk through how to effectively clean and sanitize these machines. Funding for this podcast was made possible in part by the Food and Drug Administration through grant PAR-16-137. The views expressed in the posted materials do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does any mention of trade names, commercial practices or organization imply endorsement by the United States Government.

In this episode, Produce Safety Technicians Morgan Anderson and Allissa Conley sit down with Katie Brandt, leader of the Michigan State University Organic Farmer Training Program. They give helpful advice for beginning farmers, talk through some of the challenges beginning farmers may face when first getting started, and discuss where to begin when it comes to food safety on the farm. Additional Resources:Organic Farmer Training ProgramMichigan On-Farm Produce Safety websiteFunding for this podcast was made possible in part by the Food and Drug Administration through grant PAR-16-137. The views expressed in the posted materials do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does any mention of trade names, commercial practices or organization imply endorsement by the United States Government.

In this episode, Produce Safety Technician Micah Hutchison interviews Clarence Price with Pingree Farms in Detroit. Clarence discusses the history of ag in Detroit, the food safety practices at Pingree Farms, and the benefits of urban farming and urban market gardening.Funding for this podcast was made possible in part by the Food and Drug Administration through grant PAR-16-137. The views expressed in the posted materials do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does any mention of trade names, commercial practices or organization imply endorsement by the United States Government.

Participating in a Produce Safety Risk Assessment (PSRA) is a great way to demonstrate your commitment to selling safe produce. In this episode, you'll hear from Produce Safety Technicians Micah Hutchison and Morgan Anderson, as well as Simon Yevzelman, leader of food safety and compliance at Planted Detroit, and Elizabeth Visser, manager at Blandford Nature Center in Grand Rapids. Simon and Elizabeth share their experiences participating in a PSRA and discuss how it has been helpful when it comes to marketing their farm. Funding for this podcast was made possible in part by the Food and Drug Administration through grant PAR-16-137. The views expressed in the posted materials do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does any mention of trade names, commercial practices or organization imply endorsement by the United States Government.

This episode features Phil Tocco, MSU Extension Produce Safety Educator, and Morgan Anderson, Michigan Conservation District Produce Safety Technician. They discuss the importance of maintaining a regular cleaning and sanitizing schedule, and provide guidance on what to pay attention to when conducting a deep clean before the season starts.Funding for this podcast was made possible in part by the Food and Drug Administration through grant PAR-16-137. The views expressed in the posted materials do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does any mention of trade names, commercial practices or organization imply endorsement by the United States Government.

Considering how you store and organize tools is essential for food safety on the farm. In this episode, Produce Safety Technicians Micah Hutchison and Morgan Anderson discuss best practices for tool storage in order to reduce cross contamination risks. Funding for this podcast was made possible in part by the Food and Drug Administration through grant PAR-16-137. The views expressed in the posted materials do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does any mention of trade names, commercial practices or organization imply endorsement by the United States Government.

Phil Tocco, Emily Hollingsworth, and Morgan Anderson, members of the Michigan On-Farm Produce Safety team, recently met up at the Northwest Orchard and Vineyard Show to discuss what growers need to know about the Agricultural Water Rule. In this episode, they provide an overview of the Ag Water Rule, and discuss what is currently known and unknown about the proposed rule. Funding for this podcast was made possible in part by the Food and Drug Administration through grant PAR-16-137. The views expressed in the posted materials do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does any mention of trade names, commercial practices or organization imply endorsement by the United States Government.

In this episode, Landen Tetil and Eli Hopp talk about the Upper Peninsula Food Exchange (UPFE), which is a food hub that supports local food systems in the Upper Peninsula. They specifically discuss what UPFE's food safety policies are for produce vendors and how Michigan Produce Safety Technicians can help farmers meet these expectations. Funding for this podcast was made possible in part by the Food and Drug Administration through grant PAR-16-137. The views expressed in the posted materials do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does any mention of trade names, commercial practices or organization imply endorsement by the United States Government.

Produce Safety Technicians are a completely free resource to provide education and technical assistance at your convenience. Technicians can administer a Produce Safety Risk Assessment, help you develop a Farm Food Safety Plan, and describe the expectations and the process of a Produce Safety Inspection, all with complete confidentiality. In this episode, Produce Safety Technicians Micah Hutchison and Patrick Gordon interview Jeremiah Palmer with Rennhack Orchards about his experience working with the Michigan On-Farm Produce Safety Team.Funding for this podcast was made possible in part by the Food and Drug Administration through grant PAR-16-137. The views expressed in the posted materials do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does any mention of trade names, commercial practices or organization imply endorsement by the United States Government.

What are the food safety risks of using harvested rainwater? In this episode, Mariel Borgman and Micah Hutchison  talk with Dr. Rachel Rosenberg Goldstein about her research on harvested rainwater quality and whether or not it's safe to use for irrigation. Additional ResourcesRachel's article on harvested rainwater quality from a first flush system: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969722040736?via%3DihubWOW lab website: https://sph.umd.edu/research-impact/laboratories-projects-and-programs/water-quality-outreach-and-wellness-wow-laboratoryVideo showcasing harvested rainwater use in Baltimore City urban agriculture: https://youtu.be/r5rXSyu5J0cWebinar series for Baltimore City Agricultural Irrigation Water Quality Project:Water Quality and Food Safety, Nov 16, 2022 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Register in advance for this meeting: https://umd.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0ude6sqDMpGteyNMG57Xu3eSodOAsRNauW Water Treatments, Nov 29, 2022 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Register in advance for this meeting: https://umd.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIvc--opzIuHtAWgnjG3ClrqW5KqJ8agKfu Rainwater Harvesting at Baltimore Farms, Dec 8, 2022 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Register in advance for this meeting: https://umd.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUpd-6grj8iHdM_g3PAz5YdaTTWyrgFVY_2 Funding for this podcast was made possible in part by the Food and Drug Administration through grant PAR-16-137. The views expressed in the posted materials do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does any mention of trade names, commercial practices or organization imply endorsement by the United States Government.

This month, Produce Safety Technicians Landen Tetil and Breanna Hannula discuss the cross contamination risks with shared equipment. This could be a tractor used in both livestock and produce areas, or a sink you use to wash both eggs and fresh produce. Listen up on this episode of Produce Bites!Additional Resources:Article: Tips On Shared-Use Equipment in The Wash-PackArticle: Risks of Cross Contamination Via Shared Equipment on Mixed-Use Farms 

In this episode, Jordan DeVries, a Michigan Produce Safety Technician, sits down with Elizabeth Visser, farm manager at Blandford Nature Center. They discuss the produce safety efforts put into place at Blandford, and how Liz communicates the value of food safety to the customers and crew.Connect with Blandford Nature Center on their website or Instagram!Website: https://www.blandfordnaturecenter.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blandford.nature.center.farm/?hl=en 

In this episode, Michigan Produce Safety Technicians Landen Tetil and Micah Hutchison discuss some of the requirements (the "musts") of the Produce Safety Rule, and some creative ways that growers can go about meeting these requirements.

This episode features Gianna Costa, Food Safety Quality and Assurance Manager for Square Roots indoor farm, and Phil Tocco, a statewide Produce Safety Educator with Michigan State University Extension. They talk about how Square Roots works as an indoor growing operation, how they mitigate food safety hazards, and how they build a culture of food safety. Square Roots website: https://www.squarerootsgrow.com/ SQR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squarerootsgrow/?hl=en SQR Twitter: https://twitter.com/squarerootsgrow SQR LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/square-roots-urban-growers/

Food contact surfaces are extremely important to keep clean in order to reduce the spread of pathogens. When we think of areas that produce comes into contact with, we typically think of a table or a harvest container, but what are some other surfaces that aren't usually considered? In this episode, Produce Safety Technicians Micah Hutchison and Landen Tetil talk about certain food contact surfaces that may be unintentional and how you can keep these areas clean.

In this episode, you'll hear from Olivia Smith, a postdoctoral researcher at Michigan State University, and Phil Tocco, an MSU Extension Educator. They discuss the factors that influence the relative risk of birds to food safety. Additional ResourcesArticles Published in Scientific Journals:Complex landscapes stabilize farm bird communities and their expected ecosystem servicesAre we overestimating risk of enteric pathogen spillover from wild birds to humans?Agricultural intensification heightens food safety risks posed by wild birdsA trait-based framework for predicting foodborne pathogen risk from wild birdsFeedlot Association Increases Food Safety Risk Associated with Wild Birds - Photo GalleryPress Releases:Bird-Friendly Agriculture: Finding the Right Balance to Benefit Birds and Farmers (and Everyone Else)Not-so dirty birds? Not enough evidence to link wild birds to food-borne illnessNew research reconciles wild bird conservation with farm food safety concernsResearchers pinpoint which bird species pose food safety risk to cropsThese bird species are most likely to contaminate our fruits and veggiesRelated Podcasts:MSU Ag & Wildlife Podcast: Wild birds on the farmBrief description of Kestrel Grant: Two members receive USDA-NIFA postdoctoral fellowships - Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior (msu.edu)

This episode features Emily Hale, Produce Safety Technician with the Blue Water Conservation District, Jordan DeVries, Produce Safety Technician with the Newaygo Conservation District, and Ben Phillips, MSU Extension Educator. They talk about their experiences with On-Farm Readiness Reviews and discuss areas of improvement they see most commonly on farms when it comes to produce safety. 

The FDA recently proposed changes to the FSMA Produce Safety Rule Agricultural Water Rule requirements. In this episode, Phil Tocco, Food Safety Educator with Michigan State University Extension, and Annalisa Hultberg, Food Safety Educator with the University of Minnesota, discuss the proposed changes to the rule and provide guidance on how to submit comments.Comments can be written and faxed to the FDA at 301-827-6870 or mailed to:Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305)Food and Drug Administration5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061Rockville, MD 20852To read more about the rule or if you would like to comment on the proposed rule, you may do so at FSMA Proposed Rule on Agricultural Water.Comments must be submitted by April 5, 2022.Additional Resources:Agricultural Water Proposed Rule Fact Sheet

This episode features Barb Roth, owner of Red Barn Market in Lowell Michigan, and Mariel Borgman, Community Food Systems Educator with MSU Extension. They discuss various food safety risks on U-Pick farms and how you can mitigate them. Resources: Contact your local Produce Safety TechnicianMichigan Agritourism AssociationWorker Training Resources and Templates

This episode features Lori Yelton, Nutrition and Food Management Consultant with MDARD, Mary Rose Vanas, Food Service Director for Shelby Public Schools, Landen Tetil, Produce Safety Technician with the Marquette County Conversation District, and Mariel Borgman, Community Food Systems Educator with MSU Extension. They discuss the value farm to school has on the community, and provide their own perspectives on food safety in farm to school settings.Additional Resources:Michigan Agriculture Facts and Figures – https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdard/MI_Ag_Facts__Figures_474011_7.pdfMDARD Magazine 2020 –  https://farmflavor.com/michigan/michigan-magazine/michigan-agriculture-2020/USDA Farm to School Resources – https://www.fns.usda.gov/cfs/farm-school-resourcesMSU-CRFS Cultivate Michigan – https://www.cultivatemichigan.org/resourcesGroundworks – https://www.tencentsmichigan.org/build_your_farm_to_school_programFarm Flavor Michigan – https://farmflavor.com/michigan/michigan-ag-education/michigans-farm-to-school-connection/  Taste the Local Difference – https://www.localdifference.org/MSU Extension Community Food Systems Team Members – https://www.canr.msu.edu/community_food_systems/expertsRecorded On-Farm Food Safety Webinar: Michigan Farm to Institution Network Virtual Network Meeting – https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/mfin-on-farm-food-safety-webinarMichigan Farm to School: Serving Up Local Foods – https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/michigan-farm-to-school-fact-sheetInformation brief: How do institutional food service professionals know that produce from their suppliers is safe? – https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/institutional-food-safetyNational Farm to School Network – http://www.farmtoschool.org/

Whether it's mice, rats, birds, or rabbits, many growers struggle with managing pests on the farm. In this episode, Phil Tocco, a Produce Safety Educator with MSU Extension, and Emily Hale, a Produce Safety Technician with the Blue Water Conservation District, give some advice on how to keep these pests under control. Additional ResourcesAnimals in Production Areas – Article by Emily Hale

This month's podcast features Eligio Larraga with the Michigan Farm Bureau and Jordan DeVries, a Michigan Produce Safety Technician. In this episode, Eligio and Jordan sit down and discuss produce safety training for H-2A workers. 

What does it mean to create a culture of food safety? Micah Hutchison, a Produce Safety Technician, and Mariel Borgman, an MSU Extension Educator, sit down and discuss the things, ideas, and activities all employees should share to promote a good food safety culture on the farm. Additional ResourcesGlitterbug Handwashing Activity

This episode features Micah Hutchison, a Michigan Produce Safety Technician, and Parker Jones, a Michigan State University Extension Educator and Innovation Counselor. Enjoy this animated and informative discussion where Parker and Micah compare notes and offer some affordable and earth friendly solutions to common on farm produce safety challenges, including produce packaging, hand washing and more!

This episode features Landen Tetil, a Produce Safety Technician in the Marquette County Conservation District, and Mariel Borgman, an MSU Extension Educator based out of Kalamazoo County. They discuss the importance of farm food safety plans, how to get started, what information should be included, and more. For a farm food safety plan template, take a look at the "Record Keeping" section on the Michigan On-Farm Produce Safety Team website.

This episode features Micah Hutchison, a Produce Safety Technician with the Genesee Conservation District, and Ginny Farah, who works with the Edible Flint Educational Farm in Flint, Michigan. They provide some insight into training farm workers and volunteers on produce safety practices.

Figuring out whether or not your farm is covered or exempt from the FSMA Produce Safety Rule can be confusing. In this episode, you'll hear from Emily Hale, a Produce Safety Technician covering the east side of Michigan, and Rich and Cindy Kern, co-owners of Cardinal Farms in South Lyon, Michigan. Emily will walk the Kerns through a series of questions to help them determine how the rule applies to their farm. To contact a Michigan Produce Safety Technician, you may visit https://www.miofps.org/Additional Resources:FSMA Produce Safety Rule Flowchart"Am I Covered?" Interactive Video

This episode features Kristin Esch and Brent Kreiger from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). They give us some insights on produce safety inspections, including the differences between an inspection and an audit, what growers should expect during an inspection, how growers can prepare beforehand, and more. For more information on produce safety inspections and how you can prepare, take a look at these videos created by MDARD:Produce Safety Inspection for Farm OwnersProduce Safety Inspection for Farm WorkersProduce Safety Technical AssistanceAdditional Resources:Contact your local Produce Safety TechnicianLearn more about On-Farm Readiness Reviews

This episode features Erin Caudell, a farmer in Flint Michigan and owner of a grocery store known as The Local Grocer, and Micah Hutchinson, a Produce Safety Technician with the Genesee Conservation District. They discuss both the benefits and challenges that are unique to urban agriculture, along with how produce safety may differ on urban farms.

In this episode, you’ll hear from Jordan DeVries, a Produce Safety Technician with the Newaygo Conservation District, Marissa Schuh, with Michigan State University Extension, and Don Stoeckel, with the Produce Safety Alliance at Cornell University. They discuss the produce safety risks you should consider when it comes to water, along with what is required by the FSMA Produce Safety Rule regarding water system inspections.Additional Resources:More on Water Testing: https://www.buzzsprout.com/936625/episodes/3028309-fsma-compliant-water-testingWater Testing Lab Map: https://www.canr.msu.edu/agrifood_safety/produce-safety-education/water Irrigation Risks Infographic: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/irrigation-methods-infographic

Environmental Monitoring is the process of testing surfaces inside a pack house or post-harvest area. In this episode, Scott Wall with New Age Laboratories and Jordan DeVries, a Produce Safety Technician with Newaygo Conservation District, discuss why you may want to implement an environmental monitoring program on your farm.

The Michigan On-Farm Produce Safety Team consists of the Michigan Conservation District Produce Safety Technicians, Michigan State University Extension, and Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). In this episode, you’ll hear from Michelle Jacokes, a Produce Safety Technician with the Manistee Conservation District, Mariel Borgman, an MSU Extension Educator, and Heather Borden, the Logistics Coordinator with MSU Extension. They talk about how these organizations collaborate to form the Michigan On-Farm Produce Safety Team, along with the free, voluntary, and confidential resources available to help growers with all aspects of produce safety on the farm. Learn more about your local Michigan Conservation District Produce Safety TechnicianSign up for an On-Farm Readiness ReviewMSU Extension Agrifood Safety WebsiteOther online produce safety resources:MIFFS Spanish ResourcesProduce Safety Alliance websiteNorth Central Region FSMA teamNational Young Farmers Coalition

This episode features Kristin Esch, a produce safety specialist with the state of Michigan, and Brad Morgan, president and CEO of Morgan Composting. They discuss the best ways to treat, handle, and store compost or manure with regards to produce safety.

In this episode, you'll hear from Jordan DeVries, a Produce Safety Technician with Newaygo Conservation District, Ben Phillips, an MSU Extension Educator in the east central part of Michigan, and Beth Van Dyk, the food safety manager for Van Dyk farms. They discuss the romaine lettuce outbreaks from 2018 and 2019, and Beth speaks up about how these outbreaks have affected leafy greens growers in Michigan.