US: Cherry growers deal with 'GAP'

As if the weather and the price of cherries weren't enough to worry about, Leelanau County fruit farmer are now turning their attention to a new set of federal guidelines that require them to complete reams of paperwork proving that they engage in "Good Agricultural Practices" (GAP) as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). "Actually, it isn't as bad as it might sound," said Cedar cherry farmer Ben LaCross. "I went through the same program for apples last year, and now it won't be too hard to provide the information that's needed for cherries. It's opening up new markets for a lot of us, and most of what they expect you to do are things most of us are already doing anyway." New guidelines for farmers and orchardists promulgated last year by the USDA require farmers to document nearly everything they do to ensure the safety of the environment, consumers, and people who work on the farm.
Local growers attending the Northwest Michigan Orchard and Vineyard Show at the Grand Traverse Resort last month heard a briefing on what is called GAP ?a Good Agricultural Practices from a Michigan State University Extension educator. Nikki Rothwell and Erin Lizotte of the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station have also given briefings about the GAP program to local growers. Good Agricultural Practices focus on five areas to reduce contamination risk to crops: worker health and hygiene, proper use of water, sewage and livestock manure; field sanitation; field harvesting and transportation; and the ability to "traceback" products to specific areas of the farm. Michigan State University Extension educator Rob Sirrine said he's heard few complaints from local growers about the new GAP requirements but that's probably because consumers and distributors are more interested in food safety than they've ever been, and are demanding that procedures be put into place to ensure safety.