In January 2016, Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption, otherwise known as the Produce Rule, became law. This rule, as part of the Food Safety and Modernization Act, sets a standard for produce food safety. Not all growers are covered by the rule. An excellent flowchart to help determine coverage…Read more about Produce Rule Training Requirements[Read More]
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In January 2016, Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption, otherwise known as the Produce Rule, became law. This rule, as part of the Food Safety and Modernization Act, sets a standard for produce food safety. Not all growers are covered by the rule. An excellent flowchart to help determine coverage…Read more about Produce Rule Water Testing Requirements[Read More]
Food Safety Program A series of workshops will help produce marketers better understand food safety practices to lower the risk of contamination by a foodborne illness. Workshop “On-Farm Food Safety for Produce Direct Marketers” will be held on the following dates and locations (all times local): * March 23: Allen County Extension Office, 4001 Crescent Ave.,…Read more about Upcoming Events[Read More]
This is the final issue of the Vegetable Crops Hotline for 2015. Now is the time for subscribers who receive a paper copy in the mail to renew. A renewal form is included with this issue. Email subscribers will remain on the subscription list as long as the email address works. IVGA members will have…Read more about End of the Season, Time to Renew[Read More]
There is still time to submit a proposal to this grant program. The 2016 Farmer Rancher Grant Program of NCR SARE offers grants for farmer-initiated projects of up to $7,500 for individuals, $15,000 for partners, and $22,500 for groups. Grant applications are due in the NCR SARE office on Thursday, December 3, 2015. To learn…Read more about SARE Farmer Rancher Grant Deadling Coming Up[Read More]
The 2016 version of the Production Guide (ID-56) is on track to be completed by the first week in January 2016. The ID-56 is an annually updated Guide with recommendations on varieties, production practices, pesticides and more. To get your copy of the ID-56, either visit mwveguide.org or get a hard copy through the Purdue…Read more about Midwest Vegetable Production Guide For Commercial Growers 2016[Read More]
Do you have an idea that might help your farm stay in business for the long run? Be a better place to work or contribute more to the community? Conserve or improve natural resources like soil and water? Reduce use of fossil fuels? The North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program (NCR SARE)…Read more about SARE Farmer Rancher Grants Available for 2016[Read More]
Amanda Deering started her Extension/Research appointment July 1, 2015 in a new role as a Clinical Assistant Professor in fresh produce food safety. Amanda grew up on a farm in a small farming community located in the “thumb” of Michigan and joined the Food Science department in the fall of 2013 as a Research Assistant…Read more about Dr. Amanda Deering Appointed to Fresh Produce Safety Extension Faculty Position[Read More]
Dr. Wenjing Guan comes to Purdue from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, where she was a Horticultural Specialist working on season extension for vegetable production. She was involved in research projects to establish planting calendars for organically produced warm season (tomato, cucumber and pepper) and cool season (lettuce, spinach and pak choi) vegetables…Read more about Welcome Dr. Wenjing Guan[Read More]
During the past two weeks, I am aware of two beehives that were almost decimated when insecticides were used nearby. In both cases, the commercial applicators had used the DriftWatch program before spraying to look for sensitive crops or bees near the targeted crop. However, neither hive was recorded in DriftWatch. DriftWatch is a web-based program to help…Read more about DriftWatch.org Worth the Effort[Read More]