Learning Opportunity: Creating a Culture of Sanitation in the Greenhouse

Posted by Brian Sparks|July 21, 2023

American Floral Endowment (AFE)’s Grow Pro Webinar Series features nationally recognized researchers, hosts, and speakers offering how-to advice based on AFE-funded and other research projects to help the industry navigate through ever-changing growing challenges. The webinar topics are current and offer long-term opportunities for growers to focus on increased profit, greater sustainability, and improved labor efficiency. Each session includes a presentation and interactive Q&A. To see the full series calendar visit endowment.org/GrowPro.

Successful greenhouse sanitation occurs when operations have clear standard operating procedures and a defined workplace culture where everyone plays a role in selling healthy crops. During AFE’s next webinar on July 25, Dr. Rosa Raudales of the University of Connecticut will provide information on how to start clean and remain clean in your operation, as well as ways to develop a sustainable culture of sanitation in your organization.

Topics will include:

Discussion of how sanitation requires clear and easy‐to‐implement standard operating procedures and a company‐wide mindset centered around healthy crops and employees.
How to make sanitation plans part of the culture of a company.
The importance of ‘Clean first, sanitize second.’
How to empower employees to make proactive sanitation decisions.

Raudales is Associate Professor of Horticulture and Greenhouse Extension Specialist at the University of Connecticut. She has degrees in Horticultural Sciences (Ph.D.), Plant Pathology (M.S.), and Agricultural Sciences & Production Systems (B.S.). Her program focuses on conducting outreach and applied research in greenhouse-related problems with an emphasis on biological water quality (plant pathogens, algae, and biofilm).

Click here to register for the webinar.