This factsheet, published by University of Nevada Extension, explains how the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and voluntary Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification relate to on-farm produce safety requirements and market opportunities for growers. It summarizes key regulatory basics, as well as how growers can meet FSMA obligations and GAP certification standards.

This factsheet, published by University of Nevada Extension, provides guidance for on-farm practices to reduce food-safety risks for leafy greens including kale, chard, and spinach. It summarizes key preventive measures – such as monitoring irrigation water quality, managing adjacent land-use risks, adjusting harvest timing, and implementing comprehensive farm food-safety plans – to help growers minimize contamination.

This factsheet, published by University of Nevada Extension, outlines why tomatoes are considered higher-risk produce and summarizes on-farm practices to reduce foodborne illness risks. It provides crop-specific guidance on safe harvesting, handling, water use, packaging, and storage, drawing from industry best-practice guidelines and the Desert Farming Initiative’s own experience to help growers implement practical safety measures.

This factsheet, published by University of Nevada Extension, describes how wild birds, while beneficial for pest control, can pose contamination and crop-damage risks to fresh produce through feeding activity and fecal matter. It outlines practical on-farm strategies for assessing bird-related hazards, discouraging bird presence around crops, and minimizing food-safety risks during harvest and handling.

This factsheet, published by University of Nevada Extension, explores how switching from single-use plastics to more sustainable packaging has sparked questions about balancing environmental goals with food safety. It discusses considerations for ensuring that packaging (especially reused containers) meets produce-safety requirements under the Produce Safety Rule and shares practical strategies for keeping food-contact surfaces clean while reducing waste.

This factsheet, published by University of Nevada Extension, provides guidance on managing food safety risks associated with head lettuce production. It outlines practical on-farm practices including monitoring/managing water quality, mitigating risks from adjacent land uses, adjusting harvest timing, as well as general food safety practices to help producers comply with evolving FDA standards.

This factsheet, published by University of Nevada Extension, explains what microgreens are and highlights their growing popularity among Nevada produce farms. It outlines food-safety considerations specific to microgreen production – including handling seed, soil, water, and post-harvest practices – and provides practical guidance to help growers minimize contamination risks.

This factsheet, published by University of Nevada Extension, explains why melons are considered a high-risk crop for foodborne illness due to their low acidity, high water content, and frequent contact with soil. It outlines practical, on-farm produce safety practices for melon growers – from soil amendment timing and animal exclusion to careful harvest, washing, and cold-chain handling.

This factsheet, published by University of Nevada Extension, discusses food-safety considerations for allium crops like onions and garlic. It outlines key on-farm practices that producers can use to prevent contamination and foodborne illness – including risk assessment, soil amendment timing, irrigation and wash water quality, handling and storage protocols, and sanitation of equipment and work surfaces.

This guidebook, produced by the University of California, Davis, provides information on how to produce organic alfalfa hay. It provides guidance on topics including cultivar selection, land preparation, managing crop nutrients/fertility, as well as strategies for managing insect pests, weeds, and diseases.

This guidebook, produced by the University of California Cooperative Extension, presents detailed sample budgets and production practices for organic alfalfa hay production systems in California. It outlines typical costs for labor, equipment, and materials, and provides a practical framework for estimating returns and making informed production and budgeting decisions within organic systems.

This factsheet, produced by the University of Massachusetts Fruit Advisor, provides practical guidance on managing an organic apple orchard, outlining NOP-compliant cultural practices and providing sample spray schedules to help growers manage weeds, insect pests, and diseases.