AMES, Iowa – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, in partnership with the Iowa Farmers Union and Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, will host a series of produce safety field days this summer focused on the Food Safety Modernization Act and horticulture best practices.
The events are intended to supplement the FSMA Produce Safety Alliance classes and include hands-on demonstrations, discuss components of FSMA in the field such as worker health and training, harvesting, post-harvest handling, sanitation and much more. Each event will also feature local production practices lead by the farmer.
ISU Extension and Outreach faculty and staff will serve as speakers for each field day.
”The field days are intended to help prepare Iowa farmers for implementation of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and translate it to their farm,” said Joe Hannan, commercial horticulture specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach.
Field day dates, locations and descriptions
- July 12 – Sinsinawa Mound Center, 585 County Road Z, Sinsinawa, Wis.; 4-8 p.m. An additional focus of the event will be on using certified organic cropland with multiple growers.
- July 31 – Dave Rowen farm, 3893 115th Lane, Norwalk; 2-6 p.m. It will feature additional discussion on growing tomatoes and peppers in a high tunnel.
- Sept. 7 – Rolling Acres Farm, 59624 Chicago Road, Atlantic; 2-6 p.m. Included will be presentations on using high tunnels, cover crops and field production of flowers and organic production.
- Sept. 17 – Johnson County Farm, 4811 Melrose Road, Iowa City; 2-6 p.m. It will focus on using raised beds and irrigation, growing multiple crops such as greens, tomatoes and squash, and demonstrate the use of an on-farm walk-in cooler.
Pre-registration is requested for each field day. To RSVP, or for special needs, contact Ronald Tigner at rtigner@iowafarmersunion.org or 515-357-0503.