2024 Flood Response & Recovery Information for Vermont Produce Growers 

July 15, 2024 

We are sending out updated information on flood response and recovery for produce farms impacted by last week’s flooding. If your farm was impacted and you need immediate support, please contact Vermont 211 by calling 2-1-1 or texting your zip code to 898211. You may also reach 211 resources by calling 802-652-4636 or 866-652-4636. 

For a full list of resources, visit the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Flooding Disaster Response and Recovery Resources page. You can also contact AGR.FloodResponse@vermont.gov or 802-828-2430 for general flood-related questions and concerns.   

The guidance below represents the Agency’s current best recommendations about handling produce and produce fields after recent flooding. If you have questions about how a crop or field may be affected by flooding, please contact the Vermont Produce Program at AGR.Produce@vermont.gov or 802-828-2433.  

Crops Affected by Flooding  

Under U.S. law, crops where the edible portion of the plant has contacted flood waters are considered adulterated and cannot be sold for human consumption. Because floodwaters may contain sewage, chemicals, heavy metals, pathogens, or other contaminants, these crops should be discarded, destroyed, or tilled into the soil.  

Flooding occurs when water outside of a grower’s control flows into or overflows a field. Pooled water after rainfall alone is not considered flooding.  

For more information, please see the following U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) resources and guidance: 

Resources for Human and Animal Food Producers Affected by Flooding 

Evaluating the Safety of Flood-affected Food Crops for Human Consumption 

Evaluating the Safety of Crops and Fields  

While any crop where the edible portion of the plant has contacted flood waters should be discarded, growers may be able to keep crops where the edible portion of the plant has not yet formed. These crops should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis after reviewing FDA guidance.   

There is no set timeline for when growers can safely replant after flood waters have receded. Growers should review the FDA guidance and follow these general principles: 

• Wait until the soil is fully dry before reworking 
• Implement a waiting period before replanting to allow pathogens in the soil to die off over time 

• Clean and sanitize tools, equipment, and vehicles that contacted flood waters before using them to replant or harvest 

Re-planting Guidelines 

If a significant flood-related hazard is identified, such as an upstream chemical plant spill, fields should be taken out of production until appropriate testing confirms the soil is suitable for replanting with edible crops. 

For all other situations, the following waiting periods may be considered after reviewing FDA flood guidance: 

• At least 60 days when: 

• The risk of soil contamination from human or animal waste sources is likely, such as from septic systems failures, sewage plant discharges, or runoff from livestock operations, and/or, 
• Crops to be planted are commonly eaten raw with an edible portion of the crop that grows in the ground (such as radishes) or grows on the soil surface (such as leafy greens). 

• 30 days for most other edible crops. 
• Less than 30 days may be considered in some circumstances for crops that the FDA has identified as Rarely Consumed Raw (e.g., potatoes, winter squash), or crops that have edible portions that grow above ground and are unlikely to contact flooded soils (e.g. staked tomatoes grown on mulch). 

Field cultivation, compost applications, and the use of cover crops may help accelerate pathogen die off in previously flooded fields. Plastic or organic mulches that prevent the edible portion of a crop from contacting flooded soils may also help reduce risk. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

University of Vermont Extension has compiled frequently asked questions about handling flooded produce and fields.  

Documenting Damage and Losses  

Vermont officials will be working with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on a disaster declaration. Once it is safe to do so, please document any damage or crop losses field by field and crop by crop. If you have questions, contact your Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Office.  

Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets will also be releasing a survey to document losses and damage in the coming days.  

Farm First  

We recognize that recovery from this emergency will take significant time, energy, and resources. Farmers and their families can contact Farm First for access to resources including technical, legal, or financial assistance as well as to a counselor or trained peer.     

The suicide and crisis line is open 24/7 in Spanish and English and is reached at 988 for immediate help.  

Please know that we are here to support you and to connect you with information and resources. Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions at AGR.Produce@vermont.gov or 802-828-2433. 

Sincerely, 

The Vermont Produce Program