From the desk of

The Michigan Produce Safety Team

June 24th, 2026

Food Safety Concerns for Ground Cover in High Tunnels

Allissa Hern, Produce Safety Technician

Cover cropping and mulching in high tunnels can both maximize yield, suppress weeds, enrich soil, protect against pooling, and more. Both methods can be effective but come with food safety concerns to keep in mind when determining which practice to ultimately use.

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What's in a Name? Pollinator V. Buffer Strips

Morgan Anderson, Produce Safety Technician

You may have heard about pollinator strips, buffer strips, prairie strips, etc. What’s the difference, and how could you have one on your farm?

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Regenerative Agriculture and Produce Safety Co-management

Patrick Gordon, Produce Safety Technician

When properly utilized many regenerative agriculture practices can be an effective part of a farms produce safety plan.

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A Short Survey:

Smart Surfaces and Coatings for Equipment and Tools in Specialty Crop Operations

Researchers at Michigan State University and Northern Michigan University invite you to take an 8–10-minute survey on smart and coated surfaces for tools and equipment in U.S. specialty crop operations. Your input will contribute directly to improving food safety, water efficiency, and the development of innovative equipment for the U.S. specialty crop sector. All responses are completely anonymous, participation is voluntary, and there are no risks.

Take the Survey Here

FSMA Ag Water Rule Support Line

Phil Tocco, MSU Extension Educator

Alison Buskirk, MSU Digital Media Designer

Navigating the safe use of agricultural water on the farm can raise a lot of questions for produce growers, especially with the new FSMA Produce Safety Rule Pre-Harvest Ag Water requirements.

Starting April 16, 2026, the North Central Region (NCR) Center for FSMA Training is launching a free Agricultural Water Rule Support Line to answer farm-specific questions. This educational service is intended to support growers in understanding and implementing produce safety practices related to agricultural water.

How it works:

Call 1-855-928-7785 (WATR RUL) to speak directly with a member of our produce safety team about your agricultural water questions or concerns.
If additional expertise is needed, your question may be reviewed by a group of produce safety specialists, and you will receive a response within 72 hours.

The support line will be available beginning April 16 and will operate Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am to 4pm Eastern Time.

Interested in more? Check out additional resources:

What else can you do to prepare for next season?

Complying with the Pre-Harvest Water Rule Short Course (With Certificate) →

This online course is specifically designed to help you understand the new FSMA Produce Safety Pre-harvest Water Rule Requirements - including how to conduct an Agricultural Water Assessment.

On-Farm Produce Safety Resource Library →

The Michigan On-Farm Produce Safety Team website has a variety of produce safety resources.

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Michigan On-Farm Produce Safety Team

1715 Lansing Ave, Jackson, MI 49202 | MSU Extension MACD Produce Safety Technicians

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