Under cover: June 5 bus tour will visit farms growing produce in high tunnels

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Food safety is focus of additional upcoming workshops

OLATHE, Kan. – Until recently, Midwest farmers who grow fresh fruits and vegetables were limited to a relatively short growing season, thanks to cold, windy days at the beginning of the growing season and cold weather in the fall. The increasing use of high tunnels, also called hoop houses, however means that farmers can extend their growing season.

On June 5, K-State Research and Extension is offering a bus tour of high tunnels in the Kansas City area, including the K-State Olathe Horticulture Research and Extension Center and two private farms. The tour starts at the center at 10 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. The center is located at 35230 W. 135thSt. in Olathe.

Participants will learn about produce growing practices, how the host growers use high tunnels and how they incorporate food safety into their production systems. Critical information for growers about new food safety regulations will be provided.

More information and registration on the bus tour is available at: https://bit.ly/2vGLs1v

K-State is offering these training sessions for growers, including:

  • May 7 – Intro to Produce Safety (with U. of Missouri) – Independence, Missouri;
  • May 17 – Good Agricultural Practices (GAPS) Food Safety Plan Workshop – Olathe, Kansas;
  • May 23 – Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule Grower Training – Olathe, Kansas;
  • June 5 – Bus tour of high tunnels – Olathe, Kansas; and
  • June 8 – Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule Grower Training (with U. of Missouri) – Jefferson City, Missouri;

More information is available on the K-State Research and Extension Produce Safety website: https://bit.ly/2qT1tM4

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