This is the personal blog for Brian Snyder, who is currently executive director of the Initiative for Food and AgriCultural Transformation (InFACT) at The Ohio State University. I started this blog in order to record my personal musings about the status of agriculture, and sustainable agriculture in particular, especially since it seems harder and harder these days for farmers to implement their values in farming enterprises from which they also derive a living. It is simply no longer enough to do the right thing on one’s farm and thereby expect a commensurate reward. Therefore, we must also do the “write thing” to direct the attention of interested eaters to the everyday issues and challenges sustainable farmers face. All writings are by me, unless otherwise indicated in context, and represent my opinions only, not those of my employer. I can be reached at write2farm@gmail.com for further information or discussion.
Write to Farm 
Hi, Brian,
I just found you through Organic Gardening and, low and behold, you’re a fellow WordPress blogger. I believe in your mission, and, much like Rick, I like dirt on my produce. It’s not too simplistic at all. My blog, while I mostly write about organic food, organic gardening, and local produce, is in line with yours, but on a smaller scale. I look forward to learning from you in the future. Thank you. 🙂
Jenna
When did it become the responsibility of the farmer to sanitize the produce he grows? The responsibility is on the consumer or it should be. I always thought farmers washed and polished their produce for marketing purposes, not an attempt to sanitize produce. Those poor chaps in Colorado should never have washed their cantaloupe, which resulted in the contamination. The farmer should be responsible for not letting the produce become contaminated between the field and the store-house and then keep it refrigerated until loaded into the truck.
Only regulations I see necessary are:
Manure and its composted variant should only be applied to fields in the fall.
Dedicated equipment for handling of manure and its compost.
Field workers must wash hands prior to work and after bathroom breaks.
I want to see a dusting of dirt on my root crops or cantaloupe. I want to wash my produce and want the farmer to take precautions to not expose their produce to potential contaminants.
Am I being to simplistic?
Not too simplistic at all. Although properly composted manure can be used more often than you suggest. But the bigger problem in Colorado was washing the produce to begin with, as you said. The washing was probably forced on them by the retail buyer, who was not charged with anything. And God forbid that a responsible farmer would ever re-purpose old equipment to another use! I suppose the manufactures of produce handling equipment will do just fine under the new regimen… B.
Hi, Rick,
I couldn’t agree with you more, and you’re not too simplistic at all. 🙂
Jenna
I am a blogger and for the first time I really diving into sustainability and the rights and wrongs of the American norm starting with the basics. Your information provided through your site and blog have really taught me a lot, keep it coming! Thank you!
Thank you for keeping us informed.