Native Son farm is a small diversified vegetable farm in Tupelo Mississippi, who had been washing vegetables by hand and started looking at automated wash lines. With zero experience on automated washing, he began first researching the common barrel washer, reading reviews, and watching videos online. Will Reed reached out to Deerfield Supply out Kentucky […]
Category Archives: Refrigeration and Storage
The AZS Rinse Conveyor at Sassafras Creek Farm
I had the opportunity to see an innovative piece of equipment designed for washing vegetables, and I think it might be a look into the future of improved food safety on many small-scale vegetable farms.
Upcoming Produce Safety Training (November 6-7, 2017)
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture and UVM Extension are co-sponsoring a VT-Style Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Training on Tue-Wed, November 7 & 8, 2017 (8:30am – 5:00pm) at the VYCC Monitor Barn in Richmond, VT. This is the official required training for FSMA covered farms (Click here to determine whether your farm may be […]
Spring Cleaning – Farm Cooler Checklist
Whether your winter storage rooms are getting bare or you are making the transition from sweet corn to potatoes, what better time to give your cooler a once over than right now? Download the Farm Cooler Checklist to help guide your walk-through. Highlights include: Cleaning, sanitizing and inspection of surfaces Checking the envelope Inspecting refrigeration […]
Rats (and other rodents)
Download the PDF version of this page here! When considering storage rooms, wash and pack sheds with growers there is one topic that is sure to strike a nerve: RODENTS. This document is intended to provide summary information about measures you can take to reduce crop losses from these pests. It is the result of […]
Thermostats for Agriculture
I am often asked by growers and processors to recommend a thermostat for a greenhouse, cooler, or postharvest process use. There are many to choose from and their specifications can be confusing. It is important to remember just what a thermostat does. It is essentially no different from the light switch on the wall with […]
Finish Surfaces for Produce and Food Areas
Download an updated PDF version of this information here! Smooth and cleanable surfaces are an important aspect of areas where produce is washed, packed, stored and processed. Many farms are investing in renovations and expansions of these areas and are seeking materials to meet this “finish surface” need regardless of specific regulation. Meanwhile, food processing […]
New Crop Storage Planning Tool
I have been toying with an Excel-based crop storage planning tool for several years. I finally have it at point where I want to make it available to others and start collecting feedback for improvement. You can download the tool here, and instructions are available in the tool and at this page. Enjoy and please […]
Final Report – Increasing Supply and Quality of Local Storage Vegetables
We recently completed a project aimed at improving the ability of Vermont vegetable farms to store crops such as beets, carrots, parsnips, potatoes, onions, squash and sweet potatoes, all of which have unmet demand in late winter when local supplies run out. The physiology of these crops allows them to be stored for many months […]
Simple DIY Outside Air Exchange
In colder climates winter storage crops have been stored in passive root cellars for centuries, striking the balance between outside conditions and storage conditions. Although modern refrigeration systems are generally used for large scale, longer-term storage of these crops some enterprises seek lower cost and high energy efficiency options. Outside air exchange systems use an […]