Purpose: The purpose of this study is to use environmental monitoring tools to identify risks areas on-farm. The results across two growing seasons (2014 and 2015) help to develop outreach tools for improved management practices through extension activities.
Methods: Weekly, water samples were collected from two locations on the Connecticut River and tested with the Quanti-Tray 2000 MPN system. Environmental samples were collected from the UMass Research farm in Deerfield, MA and plated within 24 hours of collection on 3M APC and E. coli/Coliform Petrifilm. Statistical analysis (t-test) was conducted to determine differences between harvest years.
Results: Water samples gave a geometric mean of 62.37 MPN/100 ml generic E. coli across two years. This data complies with the geometric mean of the FDA Produce Rule (≤126 CFU generic E. coli) but would not comply with the statistical threshold (<410 CFU generic E. coli) since select samples exceeded this number. On-farm, drains averaged 7 logs in coliform counts across two seasons. The produce-washer, a food-contact surface, gave coliform counts as high as 7 logs on various surfaces of the unit. Other areas of the room, such as the floors, which are not food-contact surfaces but high risk, averaged coliform counts of 6 logs.
Significance: This data demonstrates microbial risk on-farm, leading to the need for extension education. The results identify focus areas for additional research and extension programs to improve management practices for on-farm food safety.