Listen to Wes Kline discuss how to build a one-way street for water in produce packinghouses. The fundamentals of water distribution, the FSMA PSR, and practical ways of implementing backflow prevention are covered. Click on the image below to access the YouTube video.
On-Farm Food Safety Section
Keep up with the latest news on this dynamic topic that impacts growers on multiple levels. Developing a farm food safety plan is a good idea for all growers, and may be required as part of food safety audits if you sell to certain buyers.
View NJAES On-Farm Food Safety Publications
FDA Proposes Compliance Date Extension for Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water Requirements
On July 18, 2022 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking to extend the compliance dates for the pre-harvest agricultural water provisions as outlined in the recent 2021 agricultural water proposed rule.
The 2021 agricultural water proposed rule, if finalized, will require farms to conduct annual systems-based agricultural water assessments to determine and guide appropriate measures to minimize potential risks associated with pre-harvest agricultural water. The FDA is now proposing extended compliance dates for those proposed pre-harvest requirements and is also providing clarifying information about the enforcement discretion policy for the harvest and post-harvest agricultural water requirements.
The supplemental rulemaking proposes to establish the following compliance dates for the pre-harvest agricultural water requirements for covered produce other than sprouts:
- 2 years and 9 months after the effective date of a final rule for very small businesses;
- 1 year and 9 months after the effective date of a final rule for small businesses; and
- 9 months after the effective date of a final rule for all other businesses.
Note: These compliance dates only go into effect when the rule is finalized which we have no information when that will occur!
Compliance Dates for Harvest and Post-Harvest Agricultural Water Requirements
The 2021 pre-harvest agricultural water proposed rule did not propose substantive changes to the harvest and post-harvest agricultural water requirements in the Produce Safety Rule; however, the FDA recognizes that prior to the proposal, stakeholders did not have clarity on whether FDA might propose to change the harvest and post-harvest agricultural water requirements. In addition, the FDA recognizes that adequate training and technical assistance are needed to fully recognize the benefits of the harvest and post-harvest requirements. Therefore, we intend to continue enforcement discretion for the harvest and post-harvest agricultural water requirements of the Produce Safety regulation until the following dates:
- January 26, 2025, for very small businesses;
- January 26, 2024, for small businesses; and
- January 26, 2023, for all other businesses.
We are reopening the comment period only with respect to the proposed compliance dates for the pre-harvest agricultural water provisions until September 19, 2022. Comments should be submitted to docket FDA-2021-N-0471 on Regulations.gov.
As has been done with other FSMA rules, the FDA plans to take an “educate before and while we regulate” posture as we begin implementing the harvest and post-harvest requirements. For the first year of compliance, the FDA intends to work closely with state, other regulatory, and industry partners to advance training, technical assistance, educational visits and on-farm readiness reviews to prepare both growers and state regulators for implementing these provisions prior to initiating routine inspections verifying compliance. The FDA will provide further communications as additional resources become available.
Additional Information
- FSMA Proposed Rule on Agricultural Water
- La FDA propone ampliar la fecha de cumplimiento de los requisitos de agua de uso agrícola utilizada antes de la cosecha
Herbicide Plant-Back Restrictions Explained: Purpose and Application
Are you crystal clear on the purpose of plant-back restrictions and on the length of time required between a herbicide application and the planting of your next crop or cover crop? If not, the guidance below should help. It was developed based on a poster presentation made during the 2022 annual meeting of the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA). For further information regarding the plant-back restrictions for vegetable crops, please refer to Pest Management section (p. 110-118) of the 2022/2023 Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations.
- What is a plant-back interval?
A plant-back interval is the minimum period of time between a pesticide treatment and the planting of your next crop. The EPA establishes plant-back intervals as label requirements for herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, plant growth regulators and other types of pesticides. - What’s the purpose of a plant-back interval?
EPA’s primary focus in setting plant-back intervals is to protect human health by preventing over exposure to pesticide residues in crops – including fruits and vegetables. Regulatory experts include all residue sources when assessing human dietary exposure. - Do plant-back intervals also address crop phytotoxicity concerns?
While pesticide registrants may choose to add label instructions to address potential crop injury or phytotoxicity concerns, these instructions are independent of EPA-mandated plant-back restrictions that focus on limiting human exposure to pesticide residues. If your crop is intended to be harvested for human or animal consumption, you must still comply with the minimum residue-based plant-back intervals, regardless of whether phytotoxicity guidance is given. - How are plant-back intervals established?
EPA requires that pesticide registrants submit residue studies to document pesticide levels and related metabolites. Study data is then used to develop appropriate plant-back interval guidance based on allowed tolerance levels in the plant-back crop. All residue sources from pesticides applied within the current and previous growing seasons are included when assessing human dietary exposure. It is important to note that the plant-back intervals specified by EPA are crop specific. The interval specified for tomato, for example, might vary from that established for cole crops. - What should I do if I’m planting a crop that isn’t specified on the label?
Crops that are not specifically addressed on the label fall into the “other crops” category and require the maximum plant-back interval indicated on the label. - Do plant-back intervals apply to both my rotational crop and my cover crop?
If the crop is harvested for human consumption or is grazed by or fed to livestock that will be consumed by humans, the crop is considered a “rotational crop” and requires an appropriate plant-back interval to protect human health.
Seasonal plantings that will not be consumed directly by humans or by livestock that will then be consumed by humans are considered “cover crops.” Cover crops such as ryegrass or hairy vetch are grown to improve soil quality, reduce erosion or manage weeds. Since there is no risk of dietary exposure, plant-back restrictions do not apply when planting cover crops. - How do I calculate the plant-back interval?
To comply with the mandated plant-back interval, use the date of the last pesticide application as a starting point. If, for example, the crop selected has a 365-day plant-back interval, the 365-day window begins on the day after the last pesticide application to the previous crop. You can plant that next crop 365 days later.
USDA Announces Assistance for On-Farm Food Safety Expenses for Specialty Crop Growers
Program Details
The Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops Program (FSCSC) will assist specialty crop operations that incurred eligible on-farm food safety certification and related expenses related to obtaining or renewing a food safety certification in calendar years 2022 and 2023. For each year, FSCSC covers a percentage of the specialty crop operation’s cost of obtaining or renewing their certification, as well as a portion of their related expenses.
To be eligible for FSCSC, the applicant must be a specialty crop operation; meet the definition of a small business or very small business; and have paid eligible expenses related to the 2022 (issued on or after June 21, 2022) or 2023 certification.
Specialty crop operations may receive assistance for the following costs:
- Developing a food safety plan for first-time food safety certification.
- Maintaining or updating an existing food safety plan.
- Food safety certification.
- Certification upload fees.
- Microbiological testing for products, soil amendments and water.
- Training
FSCSC payments are calculated separately for each category of eligible costs. A higher payment rate has been set for socially disadvantaged, limited resource, beginning and veteran farmers and ranchers. Details about the payment rates and limitations can be found at farmers.gov/food-safety.
Very small ($250,000) and small farms (less than 500,000) average monetary value of specialty crops sold during the 3-year period preceding the program are eligible.
Payment Amount of Eligible Costs | ||
Category of Eligible Expenses | Historically Underserved Farmer or Rancher | All Other Applicants |
Development of a food safety plan for first-time certification | 75 percent (no maximum)
|
50 percent (no maximum)
|
Maintaining or updating a food safety plan
|
75 percent, up to a maximum of $375
|
50 percent, up to a maximum of $250
|
Food safety certification
|
75 percent, up to a maximum of $2,000
|
50 percent, up to a maximum of $2,000
|
Certification upload fees
|
75 percent, up to a maximum of $375
|
50 percent, up to a maximum of $250
|
Microbiological testing – products
|
75 percent, up to 5 tests
|
50 percent, up to 5 tests
|
Microbiological testing – soil amendments
|
75 percent, up to 5 tests
|
50 percent, up to 5 tests
|
Microbiological testing – water
|
75 percent, up to 5 tests
|
50 percent, up to 5 tests
|
Training
|
100 percent, up to a maximum of $300
|
100 percent, up to a maximum of $200
|
Applying for Assistance
The FSCSC application period for 2022 is June 27, 2022, through January 31, 2023, and the application period for 2023 will be announced at a later date. FSA will issue payments at the time of application approval for 2022 and after the application period ends for 2023. If calculated payments exceed the amount of available funding, payments will be prorated.
Interested specialty crop producers can apply by completing the FSA-888, Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops Program (FSCSC) application. The application, along with other required documents, can be submitted to the FSA office at any USDA Service Center nationwide by mail, fax, hand delivery or via electronic means. Producers can visit farmers.gov/service-locator to find their local FSA office. Specialty crop producers can also call 877-508-8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee ready to assist.
Producers can visit farmers.gov/food-safety for additional program details, eligibility information and forms needed to apply.
Farms and the New Jersey Cottage Food Law – Q&A
New Jersey farms may be interested in adding Cottage Food products to their product line at their farm stands and markets. The Cottage Food Law is very specific about the types of products it covers, the total sales value of the Cottage Food products, and the production location of these products. Municipalities must be consulted prior to a permit application submittal, and we know of some instances where local ordinances and zoning have prohibited Cottage Food activities. Answers to some common questions are below.
What type of business can operate under the NJ Cottage Food Law?
Businesses who choose to produce products allowed under the law (see below), using a home kitchen, and who sell less than $50,000 of cottage food law covered products must comply with the provisions of the Cottage Food Law. The law allows production of the products listed below only in home kitchens. No other facilities may be used for the production of these Cottage Food items.
What are the food items covered by the NJ Cottage Food Law?
Baked goods that do not require refrigeration.
Candies
Chocolate covered nuts and fruits
Dried fruit
Dried herbs and seasonings, and mixes
Dried pasta
Dry baking mix
Fruit jams, fruit jellies, and fruit preserves
Fruit pies, fruit empanadas, fruit tamales (not pumpkin)
Fudge
Granola, cereal, and trail mix
Sweet sorghum syrup
Nuts and nut mixtures
Nut butters
Popcorn and caramel corn
[Read more…]
Emergency Prepardness Poster’s for Producers
Emergency prepardness poster’s are available from the New Jersey Department of Agriculture on the website page “Emergency Preparedness/ Homeland Security, CART” at the link: https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/news/hottopics/topics050107.html
The green and white poster’s provide a quick checklist on Being Alert, Being Secure, Being Clean, and Who to Contact if suspicious activity of unexplained illness occurs on your farm. Take the time to print the most appropriate poster for you operation and add the contact information for your designated county emergency management official and designated county agent for farm related evacuations and call center activities. Remember, If you do not have your county agent phone number in your cell phone they most likely do not have yours.
SPECIFIC POSTERS
Agriculture Aviation
Animal Feed Industry
Aquaculture Industry
Cattle Industry
Dairy Industry
Equine Industry
Farmstand/Roadside Market
Fertilizer Manufacturer/Distributor Industry
Grain and Forage Producer Industry
Livestock, Poultry Auction
Poultry Industry
Slaughterhouse Industry
Small Ruminant Industry
Swine Industry
Veterinary Hospitals
Wholesale Produce Industry
Zoos, Animal Exhibits, Shows, Fairs and Petting Zoos
For all producers and pet owners, species-specific information related to evacuations and shelter locations can be found in the County Animal Response Teams (CART) tab at https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/animalemergency/
Specific information useful to livestock and equine owners is also available at https://www.fema.gov/blog/preparing-farm-animals-disaster
*Producers farming in the ten-mile radius emergency planning zone of the Salem Nuclear Power Plants should print and post the most recent addition of the New Jersey-Delaware Emergency Plan Information Booklet.
**Salem County producers, if you would like to participate in a ‘mock evacuation’ planning session for livestock and horses, and fill out your customized plan, contact Melissa Bravo at the County Extension Office.