In this episode we visit Steve Fukagawa Farms in Kingsburg, California. Steve Fukagawa is a third generation Japanese farmer, growing organically in the San Joaquin Valley. We learn about Steve’s family history farming in California, his production of organic tree fruit and raisin grapes, and use of compost tea. We also discuss how the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) can impact the way growers use and apply soil amendments such as compost tea.
SHOW NOTES:
- ‘Nature’s Candy’: An interview with Steve Fukagawa on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5EZcz3ri1g
- A profile of Steve Fukagawa from CalCAN: https://calclimateag.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Steve-Fukagawa-Farms-SWEEP-Profile.pdf
- FSMA Fact Sheet – Biological Soil Amendments of Animal Origin: https://www.fda.gov/files/food/published/Fact-Sheet–Biological-Soil-Amendments-of-Animal-Origin_Download.pdf
- Food Safety & Compost Tea Use from The University of Vermont: https://www.uvm.edu/vtvegandberry/factsheets/composttea.html#:~:text=Make%20compost%20tea%20only%20from,the%20growth%20of%20harmful%20organisms
- CAFF’s Food Safety Templates (including soil amendment application and recordkeeping logs): https://caff.org/food-safety/food-safety-plan-templates/
- CAFF cost-share program for water testing: https://caff.org/food-safety-cost-share-program/
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