AUGUST 2021
As August winds down, harvest is top of mind for farmers in the Upper Midwest. All farms – big, small, organic, hobby, produce – are gearing up for a healthy harvest. UMASH teamed up with colleagues at Minnesota Extension, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Minnesota Farmers Union and the Sustainable Farmers Association – Greater Mille Lacs Chapter to offer a half day workshop. Healthy Harvest: Farming Safely with Livestock and Produce was a half-day event on August 24, 2021 at Maple Ridge Produce hosted by owners Erik Heimark and Jay Rigdon. The workshop focused on good manufacturing practices, infectious diseases, use of manure, and cleaning/sanitizing.
UMASH
Jeff Bender, Megan Schossow and Carol Peterson represented UMASH with resources and information including handwashing, infectious disease, agritourism and more. Jeff Bender was a featured speaker on Zoonotic Disease & Food Safety on the Farm which drew attention to the potential risks of infectious disease particularly with visitors to the farm. Jeff answered many questions from the participants and everyone learned from one another’s experiences as well as the experts.
