Arkansas Biological Soil Amendments of Animal Origin Workshop Recordings
For three days in August 2021 via Zoom, Extension specialists, soil experts, and federal and state regulators shared the latest information on risks, best practices, and industry insights for biological soil amendment use in produce production. Highlights included topical presentations, virtual field trips, panel discussions, and an opportunity to Q&A with FDA officials.
What was shared?
The multi-day comprehensive workshop covered best practices for using and making biological soil amendments of animal origin (BSAAO), such as compost, within the context of the Produce Safety Rule (PSR).
Attendees learned more about BSAAOs and the PSR from perspectives within industry, cooperative extension, and regulatory agencies. The intent was to help growers understand risks and benefits of using BSAAOs, to know how to comply with the current requirements, and to discuss the possible future of Subpart F of the PSR.
To view the presentations and virtual field trips, please see them in the drop down tabs below.
Workshop Presentations
What is the Produce Safety Rule? How are biological soil amendments of animal origin regulated? Dr. David Ingram provides an overview of the regulation, how FDA determined the level of risk for different types of soil amendments, and how to determine if your soil amendment is regulated under the PSR.
Bacteria, C:N ratio, static piles, aerated piles, moisture content – learn the basics as Eric Simon discusses the art and science of creating compost. Also, get a behind the scenes look at a tool being developed by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture to help the public successfully build and maintain a compost pile.
Dr. Karl VanDevender shares the basics of nutrient management planning including who needs a plan, why growers may need a plan, and what goes into the plan.
Learn more about FDA’s approach to farm inspections for compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule from an FDA Produce Safety Network Investigator, Arturo De La Garza.
Nutrient management can be complex. Learn more about soil nutrient balance, soil sampling, types of fertilizers, and fertilizer application calculations with Dr. Karl VanDevender.
Learn more from Dr. David Ingram about types of treatments that can be applied to BSAAOs, how and when different amendments can be applied to produce, and updates on FDA’s research on potential contamination from these amendments.
Whether you use BSAAOs on your produce farm or not, produce can still be unintentionally contaminated. Learn more from Dr. Amanda Philyaw Perez about how to mitigate potential contamination from livestock, wildlife, manure storage, and more.
Soil is a living, breathing thing. So what is soil health and how do BSAAOs benefit it? Learn more about this topic and practical steps farmers can take to build their soil health from Dr. Amanda McWhirt, Horticulture Crops Production Extension Specialist.
Virtual Field Trips
Take a tour of The Urban Food Loop with founder and CEO Read Admire.
Take a tour of KW Heritage Farm with owner and gardener Larry Karigan-Winter.
Funding provided through the Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration (Grant Number: 5U18FD005918-05) titled “Planning, development, and implementation of a produce safety program in Arkansas”.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution.