Webinar to explore impact of chemicals known as PFAS on agriculture, food and farming systems
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, in collaboration with Michigan State University and the Center for PFAS Research, will host a webinar titled “PFAS in Agriculture: What It Means for Your Farm and the Food Supply Chain.” The webinar is scheduled for Tuesday, September 30, from 10 to 11 a.m.
PFAS is an abbreviation for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Often referred to as “forever chemicals,” PFAS are synthetic compounds widely used in consumer and industrial products. According to Alex Van Alstyne, food business extension specialist with Iowa State, understanding the risk of PFAS is important for farm and food business owners.
“PFAS are known for their resistance to water, oil and heat, and these substances are increasingly being detected in soil, water, crops, livestock and ultimately in the food we consume,” he said. “Concerns are growing across the agricultural sector about the implications for food safety, environmental health and farm viability.”
This one-hour webinar will provide a comprehensive overview of PFAS in agriculture, including how these chemicals enter farming systems and move through the supply chain, and what farmers, ag professionals and policymakers can do in response.
Attendees will learn about:
• The origin and use of PFAS compounds
• How PFAS contamination reaches agricultural land and water sources
• Potential uptake in plants and animals
• Food safety concerns and regulatory implications
• Current testing options and research findings
• Strategies for education, risk mitigation, and farm-level decision-making
This event is ideal for:
• Livestock and crop producers
• Food and feed processors
• Extension, conservation and soil health professionals
• Food safety and public health practitioners
• Regulatory staff and nonprofit partners
• Concerned community members, educators and researchers
Participation in the webinar is available at no cost, but online registration is required on the ISU Extension and Outreach webpage. A Zoom link will be sent to registrants upon completing registration.
For more information, visit the event page: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/smallfarms/pfas-agriculture-what-it-me....
