Biosecurity Procedures for Conservation Professionals
By Genevieve Christ
Extension Educator
Penn Stat University
Every Day. Every Farm.
Biosecurity is an important part of protecting Pennsylvania’s farms, natural resources, and food systems. Conservation professionals, including conservation district staff, technical service providers, State and Federal employees, and Extension Educators, regularly visit farms and agricultural operations. Anyone can unknowingly carry animal diseases, plant pests, weed seeds, or soil pathogens from one location to another.
By understanding and practicing basic biosecurity, conservation professionals help prevent the spread of harmful organisms. Incorporating biosecurity into every farm visit, construction site visit, inspection and status review helps protect farmers, livestock, crops, and the broader agricultural landscape while reinforcing the trust placed in conservation professionals who work directly with Pennsylvania’s agricultural community.
To minimize the introduction or spread of diseases, pests, invasives, or contaminants, follow these procedures every time, on every farm.
Be Prepared
Bring proper biosecurity supplies to every visit. Recommended supplies include:
- Scrubbable footwear such as rubber or polyurethane boots
- Disposable boot covers
- Hand sanitizer
- Scrub tub or bucket
- Scrub brush
- All-purpose cleaner
- Disinfectant
- Trash bags
- Water
Communication Before the Visit
Pre-visit communication with the farmer, manager, and/or landowner must occur at least 24 hours before any farm visit. This conversation should include site-specific biosecurity concerns, disinfection procedures, areas to avoid, and where to park.
Arrival Protocol
Upon arrival:
- Follow all posted biosecurity signage.
- Park only in designated visitor areas or predetermined parking locations.
- Avoid parking near animal housing, manure storage, muddy areas, or high-traffic pathways.
- Follow all farm-specific biosecurity procedures required by the farmer.
- Complete the farm visitor log if one is provided.
- Put on clean, disinfected footwear or disposable boot covers before leaving the parking area.
On-Site Practices
On-site practices that must be followed include:
- Avoid high-risk areas such as animal pens, feed bunks, manure storage, composting locations, muddy or saturated field areas.
- Do not go inside any animal housing facilities.
- Avoid direct contact with animals, pets, manure, and standing water.
- Do not place personal items on the ground or contaminated surfaces.
- Avoid fan exhaust and on-farm equipment used to handle manure or feed.
When possible, stay in designated visitor areas and confirm authorization before entering limited access locations.
Departure Protocol
When departing, clean and disinfect everything before getting into your vehicle.
- Remove and bag disposable boot covers or scrub and disinfect your footwear with careful consideration to remove all organic matter from the treads.
- Scrub and disinfect any tools or equipment that were used during the visit.
- Bags containing refuse and removed booties should stay on site for disposal.
- Wash or sanitize your hands before entering your vehicle.
Between-Farm Biosecurity
If post-visit recommendations are not communicated, a minimum of 24 hours’ downtime between farm visits of the same animal species and/or crops is required, unless more restrictive guidance is provided.
- Do not wear the same clothing to another farm without laundering.
- Ensure reusable footwear, tools, and equipment are clean, disinfected and stored in a location free of contamination before the next visit.
- Wash the vehicle thoroughly to remove any mud, manure, or other potential contaminants before the next visit.
Additional Biosecurity Practices
To help protect Pennsylvania’s agricultural community, several additional biosecurity practices should be followed. Any visit to an operation with poultry or dairy animals, or to a facility that imports manure from either of these species, should be separated by at least 72 hours of downtime between farm visits. Conservation professionals should also avoid high-risk areas prior to visiting farms, such as locations frequented by migrating birds. After hunting or fishing activities, personal vehicles and equipment, including footwear, cell phones, and cameras should be washed and disinfected before using them at an agricultural operation.
When moving through a farm or between sites, always proceed from areas of least concern to areas of greater concern, for example, from young animals to mature animals or from fields with lower disease pressure to those with higher risk. Wearing disposable boot covers can also help maintain biosecurity while allowing visitors to wear more comfortable, non-scrubbable footwear such as leather work boots.
Every Day. Every Farm.
Biosecurity should be practiced every day and on every farm, regardless of animal or crop species. Conservation Professionals should follow all farm procedures, arrive clean and disinfected, avoid high-risk areas, scrub and disinfect before departure, and schedule designated downtime between visits.
