Growing Together: Enhancing Fresh Produce Safety and Agricultural Practices in Tennessee

As part of an ongoing effort to improve food safety and agricultural practices, I would like to request you to join several Extension educators and fresh produce growers by participating in this research program entitled “Growing Together: Enhancing Fresh produce Safety and Agricultural Practices in Tennessee

Given the frequent changes in rain patterns, shifting markets, quality of irrigation water, soil ph. values affecting produce production, we are seeking to better understand current food safety practices, agricultural practices, and other challenges facing producers.

We will collect soil, water, and few produce samples this growing season (2025) to test their quality. We will determine microbes present in water, soil, and few fresh produce. We will also test soil pH values too. Additionally, we would like to hear about any challenges the producers are facing, so we can work together to find effective solutions to improve farm practices and hence improve produce productivity.

Our findings will be shared confidentially one-on one to the specific producer and given training on how to solve some of the challenges they are facing.

Participating growers will attend a free workshop scheduled for Fall, 2026 titled “Growing Together: Enhancing Fresh Produce Safety and Agricultural Practices in Tennessee" . Producers will also be given educational materials.

Best regards, 

Karla 

Karla Gargus, Extension Agent

UT-TSU Montgomery County Extension