On-Farm Food Safety

Listen to the audio file while watching the slide show (9.2 MB) from COABC's successful "Your Farm's Water Quality": A 'Grower's Group Network' Conference Call held Aug 18, 2009

As many food-borne illnesses associated with fresh produce can arise from the use of contaminated water, growers need to be aware of their water quality challenges and learn how to manage their production with the water they have available.

The session covered:

The Guest Speakers were:
Elsie Friesen, Food Safety & Quality Specialist, BCMAL. Elsie is a Certified Public Health Inspector with a diploma in Food Science, a degree in Environmental Health Science Technology, and a Master's Degree in Education. Coming from a farming family and community, Elsie also has practical agricultural experience.
Steven Gallagher, lead farmer of Nathan Creek Organic Farm, Langley, BC. Steven is a mixed vegetable grower who has recently had to deal with water quality issues and has installed an extensive filtration system on his farm.

Facilitator: Rochelle Eisen, Organic Extension Agent for BC

- Relevant information to this topic can be found under the Water headings (below)
- Download the evalution form for this sesson. Please do complete and submit to Rochelle

For Further Information: Contact Rochelle Eisen, BC's Organic Extension Agent, at 250-547-6573 or email her.

Say thank you to our Grower Group Network Sponsors at your next opportunity

Overview information
Common Causes of Foodborne Illness (CFIA)
Food Safety Begins on the Farm (UC Davis)
Food Safety on the Farm – An Overview of Good Agricultural Practices (U of Florida)
Reducing Risks from E.coli 0157 on the Organic Farm (EcoFarm/Summer'00)
Code of Practice for Minimally Processed Ready-to Eat Vegetables (CFIA)
Water Testing
Water Quality Criteria for Microbiological Indicators (BC Min.of Env.)
Collection of Drinking Water Samples for Coliform Testing (BCDC)
Various Water Sampling Instructions (from North Island Labs - pertinent everywhere)
Water Testing Services html or pdf (A 2009 Cyber-Help exclusive)
Water Treatment
Treating Irrigation and Crop Wash Water for Pathogens (BCMAL 2003/ PDF 850KB) *includes guidelines for pathogens in irrigation water.
New Horizons for Slow Sand Filtration (Dr David Manz /PDF 287KB)
Filtration: how does it work? (PFRA/.fla - flash player needed)
Polishing Methods To Improve Water Quality (PFRA/.fla - flash player needed)
Water Well Disinfection - Chlorination Method (BCMAL /PDF 3.3MB)
Water Protection
Protecting Water Quality on Organic Farms (ATTRA 2002 /PDF 350 KB)
Protecting Wells from Contamination (Sask Water Authority)
BC Ground Water Protection Regulations
Best Management Practices - Robocow (PFRA/.fla - flash player needed) It's a bird. It's a plane. No, it's RoboCow. Able to leap tall silos in a single bound, this animated environmental advocate uses her ground-scan radar vision to detect on-farm perils. Like the best of all superheroes, she maps out solutions to hazards like improperly stored chemicals, pesticide run off and stream contamination.
Water Quality
Use federal guidelines for drinking as well fruit and vegetable wash water, but for irrigation/livestock drinking refer to provincial until federal new guidelines are released. Be sure to record which guidelines you have been referring to in your farm records.
British Columbia Approved Water Quality Guidelines (BCMOE 2006) for both irrigation and livestock drinking water
direct link to Water Quality Criteria for Microbiological Indicators (BCMOE 2001)
direct link to Water Quality Criteria for Nutrients and Algae (BCMOE 2001)
direct link to all Water Quality Criteria including metals (BCMOE 2001)
Guidelines for the Protection of Agriculture Water (CCME)
Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality (Health Canada)
New Presumptive (yes/no) do-it-yourself water testing kits (Bluewater Bioscience)

ON-FARM FOOD SAFETY

On-Farm Food Safety Factsheets and Checklists

Good Agricultural Practices for the Production of Leafy Greens (OMAFRA) BC Berry Grower Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) Reducing Food Safety Risks in Apples (WSU) Mushroom Food Safety (BCMAL/PDF 500 KB) Chicken Farmers of Canada - On Farm Food Safety Various Food Safety and Quality Factsheets and Publications (BCMAL) Poultry Litter Composting For Food Safety & Soil Nutrient Management (UBC Agroecology 350 KB pdf)

Elsewhere on this site
Pertinent Federal (Canadian) & Provincial (BC) Regulations
Farm Equipment
Marketing Your Product
Organic Prices (fruit and vegetables)
Small Scale Food Processing
Organic Certification
Pest Management
Composting
Soil (Canada, USA) and Water (BC, Alberta) Testing Labs & Services

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