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Missouri Agriculture Updates

April 29, 2022

Produce Safety Opportunities in Missouri

Do you grow produce for sale in Missouri? If so, have you registered with the Missouri Department of Agriculture?

Produce growers who complete the voluntary Grower Inventory Registration will help themselves and the Department determine if they are exempt, qualified exempt, or covered by the FDA Produce Safety Rule. In addition, the information gathered through the registration will also allow the Department to better assist growers by determining training locations and providing farm visits, notification of trainings and On-Farm Readiness Reviews.

As the growing season approaches, take the necessary steps to ensure your operation meets the requirements of the Missouri Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

In 2011, Congress passed the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) to better protect public health by helping ensure food safety at each step of production.

MDA is working with FDA and growers so FSMA requirements can be met by:

1. Developing a Grower Inventory - You can assist MDA in this by completing the Grower Inventory Registration.

2. Providing Grower Training - Participation in a recognized Produce Safety Alliance training is required for growers that are covered by the Produce Safety Rule. MDA is working with University of Missouri Extension and Lincoln University Extension to offer opportunities for growers to learn about produce safety and to meet this requirement.

3. Conducting Farm Reviews - An On-Farm Readiness Review is a voluntary, educational opportunity designed to walk produce growers through what an actual inspection on their farm may look like before a real inspection is conducted.

If interested in learning more about produce safety in Missouri, and how you can register your produce operation, visit agriculture.mo.gov.

Missouri Tomato School Registration

The Missouri Tomato School will be Thursday and Friday, May 19 and 20, at Woods Chapel United Methodist Church, 4725 NE Lakewood Way, Lee's Summit, Missouri 64064.

This state-wide tomato school brings together top experts in the field with regional experts and successful local tomato farmers to teach growers and serious hobbyists how to better grow Missouri's top selling vegetable. Out-of-state growers are welcome.

Day one begins at 8:45 and will be in a socially distanced classroom format. Day one presentations include:

Tomato Nutrient Management
Top Ten Best Practices for Tomato Harvest and Postharvest Storage
Tomato Disease Management
Hydronic Tomato Cultivation
Beneficial Insects vs Pests
Growing Tomatoes in Protective Structures
Using Essential Oils to Control Pests
Comparing Yields of Grafted and Non-grafted Tomatoes

Day two will be a farm tour with on-site education at Redfearn Farm in Independence, Missouri from 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

This conference features national and regional presenters including:

Dr. Rick Snyder, Mississippi State University – Dr. Snyder recently retired after serving 33 years as an Extension/ Research Professor at the Truck Crops Experiment Station in Crystal Springs, MS. His educational background includes a B.S. from the University of Connecticut, an M.S. from Ohio State University, and Ph.D. from Cornell University, all in horticulture. His areas of specialty include commercial production of greenhouse tomatoes and other vegetables, as well field vegetables. Dr. Snyder hosted the well-known Mississippi Greenhouse Tomato Short Course for 28 years and is a highly-sought speaker on all aspects of greenhouse tomato production. He continues to be a greenhouse columnist for American Vegetable Grower Magazine after 29 years and still enjoys speaking to growers' groups and doing some greenhouse consulting during his retirement.

Dr. T. Casey Barickman—Dr. Barickman is an Associate Research Professor at Mississippi State University's North Mississippi Research and Extension Center specializing in plant physiology and vegetable production systems. Dr. Barickman has over 16 years of experience in horticulture research studying plant physiology. His research focuses on environmental stress and genetic interactions that affect plant growth and development, vegetable nutritional quality, and nutrient management for vegetable production systems. Dr. Barickman's lab blends applied and basic research to provide science-based management recommendations to vegetable growers in Mississippi.

Registration for the in-person program is $30. Registration includes lunch on day one, all presentations and handouts, and the farm tour on day two. Complete conference information and a registration form are available at http://www.webbcityfarmersmarket.com/training or by calling 417 483-8139.

The Missouri Tomato Conference is sponsored by the Webb City Farmers Market, University of Missouri Extension, and Lincoln University Co-operative Extension. It is underwritten by a specialty crops grant from the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

This is the fifth Missouri Tomato School organized by the Webb City Farmers Market.

USDA Census Happening Soon

The 2022 Census of Agriculture is about people. Every survey response is essential. Ag census data inform policy, research, assistance programs, ag education, community development and countess more decisions that ultimately affect you, your farm, and neighbors.

From cattle ranchers to greenhouse owners, backyard growers, urban farmers and row crop producers with thousands of acres, every ag producer needs to be represented in the 2022 Census of Agriculture.

USDA counts agriculture because agriculture counts. The ag census is a producer's voice, future, and opportunity.

Conducted once every five years, the ag census gathers updated farm data to help producers nationwide. It is a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches.

Even small plots of land – whether rural or urban – count if $1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the census year. The Census of Agriculture tells the story of American agriculture over time.

Key Dates:
• June 30, 2022 – Sign up for those who do not already receive NASS surveys and censuses
• November 2022 – ag census mails out and data collection begins
• February 6, 2023 – response deadline
• 2024 (TBD) – data release

Photo of the Week

The Missouri Grown team provided a variety of food products, raised in Missouri, for the Legislative BBQ this week. Director Chinn and Deputy Director Klenklen are shown here with representatives from the Missouri Poultry Federation, Missouri Pork Association and Tyson Foods, who donated product to the annual event.

Questions? Contact us Stay Connected with the Missouri Department of Agriculture:

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2022/04/29