IMPROVING FOOD SAFETY OF FRESH PRODUCE AND ASSOCIATED WATER QUALITY IN THE US DELMARVA PENINSULA

Goals / ObjectivesThis project represents a multi-disciplinary effort in the areas of food safety of fresh produce and associated water quality. It addresses research on the safe use of irrigation water and manure-based soil amendments critical for organic and conventional small farms serving direct local markets with fresh produce in the Delmarva Peninsula. This proposal also addresses the effect of animal grazing on pathogens persistence, soil health, and microbial food safety of fresh produce.Objective One:Evaluate various agriculture water sources for: 1) Their physiochemical qualities, and 2) The presence of selected pathogenic bacteria (Shiga toxin-producingE. coli, genericE. coli, Salmonella, andListeria monocytogenes).In this objective we will compare the current FSMA standards for irrigation water quality (genericE. coli) to prevalence of these selected pathogenic bacteria. We will also analyze the effects of the water source's physiochemical qualities and other environmental factors on the bacterial survival and persistence.Objective Two:Determine the whole genome sequencing and antimicrobial resistance ofSalmonellaandListeria monocytogenesisolated from alternative irrigation water sources on Maryland's Eastern Shore.Objective Three:Examine Grower-directed convergence of nanotechnology and smart decision analytics for irrigation water quality management related to pathogens.Objective Four:Evaluating the food safety impacts of cover-crop grazing in fresh produce systems to improve cover crop adoption, crop-livestock integration, and soil health.