Currently, demand for naturally grown food is increasing significantly, and farmersare trying tomeetthe requirements of organic system which is a bit complex

The University of Maryland, College Park received a $935,000 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the Integrated Programs (CFDA 10.303) program, awarded September 15, 2025, with completion targeted for September 14, 2028. The research project addresses food safety risks in integrated crop-livestock farms (ICLFs) by assessing the ecological dynamics and transmission pathways of two major bacterial pathogens—Listeria monocytogenes and Campylobacter jejuni—between livestock and crop production systems. The research deliverables include improved farm management practices and post-harvest processing protocols designed to interrupt cross-contamination pathways and reduce pathogen survival and spread in organic and pasture-based farming operations.

Frostburg State University serves as a sub-awardee, participating in the research initiative titled "Ecological Niches of Pathogenic Listeria and Campylobacter in Integrated Crop-Livestock Farms and Strategies to Limit Their Transmission," with the sub-award issued February 16, 2026. The integrated research effort combines scientific investigation of pathogen ecology with practical solutions addressing critical food safety challenges in growing organic agricultural markets, where consumer demand for naturally grown foods is increasing and product contamination incidents have highlighted systemic gaps in current farm management and processing practices.

Complexities of organic farming, including soil fertility, soil microbial diversity, and use of animal manures, are required to manage on pasture/organic farms. Integrated crop-livestock farms (iclfs), in which farmers grow both crop and livestock, is a typical example. Microbial ecology of iclfs impacts their product safety through pathogen transfer between animals and crops. Recent reports of pathogen-contaminated products sold in on-farm/farmers markets highlight the need for assessment of the ecological patterns of foodborne pathogens in iclfs and their transfer routes to crops. Pathogens are commonly transmitted between livestock and crops during soil amendments with composted animal waste, or by workers, equipment, and vectors. In this study, we aim to assess the ecological dynamics of two major bacterial pathogens, listeria monocytogenes(LM) andcampylobacter jejuni(CJ), particularly their survival and spreading ability, and block their cross-contamination pathways by improving farm practices and post-harvest processing