Tilth Conference + Farm & Food Symposium

Conference Schedule

Conference Schedule

Designing Low Risk Wash Packs for Farms with Multiple Farmers and Languages

How do we minimize risk with 50 unique mostly immigrant farmers using a single on-farm wash pack? We did a lot of research, got some help from our friends at Viva Farms, selected specific equipment that is safe and durable to prevent microbial contamination, and tested and re-tested the materials using Lean Process Improvement. Come see how we minimized risk through specific training for farmers, farm organizations, and farm managers as well as through our farm food safety plan, SOPs and streamlined checklists. The Wash Pack runs off well water that is fueled by a solar powered pump.

About the Speaker

  • Patrice Barrentine

    King County Agriculture Program

    Patrice Barrentine has worked in the farm and food business sector in Washington State for twenty-five years as a buyer, commerce, and policy specialist. She worked for the Washington State Department of Agriculture, served on Governor Gregoire’s Job Creation and Economic Development Subcabinet, the Washington Beer Commission, and the WA State Farmers Market Association.

    With the King County Agriculture Program since 2014, she works on Agriculture Policy and Economic Development. She staffs the King County Agriculture Commission, which reviews proposed legislation and provides advice to the County Executive and Council including water policy. She co-hosts quarterly meetings of the managers of King County’s 41 farmers markets.

    She focuses on solving local meat processing bottlenecks, including a new USDA small-scale processor that opened in 2024, and fresh and halal processing for East African communities in King County. She coordinated the landmark, Snoqualmie Valley Agricultural Land Resource Strategic Plan as part of the County’s Fish, Farm, Flood effort. And she is a member of several professional organizations and boards including serving as the Vice Chair of the Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority Council.