This WI LFPA Peer-to-Peer Gathering took place at Sinsinawa Mound Collaborative Farm on Wednesday, June 5th. Farmers were encouraged to share their post-harvest cooling, washing, and packaging methods. Starting in the field at a remote cooling and washing station, participants moved through different field methods (including a mobile cooling unit), and ended at a recently updated packing area. They saw early versions of the Collaborative's shared pack shed and toured its newly finished facility. They also reviewed methods developed by individual farmers that suit the unique needs of their operations. 

BACKGROUND

Sinsinawa Mound Collaborative Farm started with a simple carport roof housing blue barrel sinks on 2 x 4 stand as their packshed 7 years ago. Since then, the collaborative farmers have incrementally improved upon their initial system. They added a cool-bot operated walk-in and enlarged the wash/pack area in 2020 and fully enclosed and enlarged the packshed area in 2024. Each design was inspired by, and incorporated pieces of, earlier versions – always focusing on food safety and farmer efficiency. Today, the humble carport continues to serve as a field-based preliminary cooling area.

5 attendees participated

“I took a lot of good information away from our discussion, especially related to growing systems, sizing of wash pack, and cooler space and capabilities. The farmers were incredibly helpful and I’m finding this community to be very collaborative.”

- Attendee input from evaluation