Upcoming webinar - FDA water standards for farm

Mar 15, 2024

By Farms.com

The introduction of the FDA's Produce Safety Rule marks a significant shift in agricultural water use requirements. With enforcement starting in 2024, the Colorado Department of Agriculture is offering a webinar to assist farm owners and operators in understanding and preparing for the new regulations. This educational event is set for Wednesday, March 20, 2024, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. MDT, focusing on compliance strategies for the upcoming growing season.

The rule's implementation ends the previous leniency granted to farms of all sizes regarding water used during and post-harvest processes. These processes are crucial for ensuring produce safety, from harvesting to packing and transporting. The webinar aims to demystify the regulations set forth in subpart E of the Produce Safety Rule, which emphasizes the proper testing, treatment, and monitoring of agricultural water.

Designed to adopt an "educate while we regulate" stance, the webinar seeks to empower farmers with the knowledge to navigate the inspection process successfully. It will cover the intricacies of the water requirements and what farmers can expect during inspections. This initiative underscores the importance of preparedness and the value of proactive engagement with regulatory standards.

Video: California Farm Bureau 2025 Farm Dog of the Year Contest Winner - Willy - CAFB 107th Annual Meeting

Meet Willy: California Farm Bureau’s 2025 Farm Dog of the Year!

We’re excited to introduce Willy, a miniature long-haired dachshund with a big heart and even bigger courage, and the Grand Prize winner of this year’s Farm Dog of the Year Contest!

Willy may be small, but he’s become an indispensable partner on owner Marshal Hagedorn’s forestry and cattle operations in Shasta, Tehama, and Siskiyou counties. Adopted in 2023, he quickly found his place on the ranch, helping manage critters, tagging along for long days in the woods, and offering unwavering companionship during demanding logging work.

Willy has even taken naturally to moving cattle, surprising calves (and more than a few full-grown cows!) with his burst of energy from the tall grass. As Marshal put it: “He goes with me everywhere every single day.”

Congratulations to Willy and his family, a perfect example of how every good farm dog, no matter the size, helps keep California agriculture running strong.