Success StoryFarmers Adopt Good Agricultural Practices for Producing Fruits and Vegetables to Keep Produce Safe



Farmers Adopt Good Agricultural Practices for Producing Fruits and Vegetables to Keep Produce Safe

Author: Annette Heisdorffer

Planning Unit: Daviess County CES

Major Program: Farmer's Markets

Plan of Work: Leadership and Community Development

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

Since fresh fruits and vegetables are often consumed raw or with little processing, producing them safely by avoiding contamination by microorganisms that cause food borne illnesses is important.  To help growers continue to keep the produce safe, the Daviess County Cooperative Extension Agent for Horticulture Education taught the science-based Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) training to members of the farmers’ market.  The training topics covered included proper methods for using manure as a soil amendment, personal hygiene, water source, and cleaning surfaces touching produce during harvesting and preparation for the market.  Three years after attending the GAP training, 15 growers reported through a written survey that 100% of them adopted at least two good agricultural practices that they had not been conducting before the training.  Other results from the survey are as follows: 73% adopted washing their hands before harvesting produce; 73% adopted cleaning their work surface properly before handling and preparing the produce for the market; 67% adopted proper hand washing techniques; and 67% adopted the practice of surveying the production field before planting to avoid microbial contamination of the produce from manure piles, animal production areas, and septic systems. 







Stories by Annette Heisdorffer


Extension Master Gardeners Play Vital Role in Reaching Others with Science-Based Gardening Information

about 2 years ago by Annette Heisdorffer

Extension Master Gardener volunteers play a vital role in the outreach of the Cooperative Extension ... Read More


Extension Master Gardeners Take Leadership Role in Teaching Others about Butterflies

about 2 years ago by Annette Heisdorffer

The Extension Master Gardener program promotes leadership, personal growth, and outreach. Through ... Read More


Stories by Daviess County CES


Increasing Fair Participation: One Project at a Time

Increasing Fair Participation: One Project at a Time

about 2 years ago by Sharayha Clingenpeel

Over the last couple of years, the number of entries at the county fair has started to decrease. In ... Read More


Blender Bike at Camp Curiosity

Blender Bike at Camp Curiosity

about 2 years ago by Sharayha Clingenpeel

The migrant population is one of the fastest growing populations in Daviess County. All youth from t... Read More