FRANKLIN, Ind. – An upcoming program offered by Johnson County Extension will focus on nutrition and food safety when feeding farmers, according to an Extension educator in the county.

“Farmers need fuel just as their tractors,” explained Shalee Bradley, the county’s agriculture and natural resources educator. “As a farm wife who feeds six to nine farmers during the busy season, it can be difficult coming up with meals that fuel our farm workers nutritionally and providing it in a safe manner.”

The Field-Ready Meals for Farm Families program is 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 20 at Bradley Farm Enterprises in Trafalgar, Ind. The cost is $20 and includes lunch.

Attendees will first learn about the basics of field meals, Bradley said, including nutritional needs for physical labor, balancing protein, hydration essentials and food safety.

“The second part will be centered around meal prep systems and packing tips – batch cooking, freezer meals, containers that work, labeling and rotating meals, transporting meals, prepping a five-day meal plan,” she noted. “Third, we will be doing a ‘make and take’ activity where participants will be able to make a meal that would fit right into a field meal rotation and will be prepping items to take home with them.”

The program will include a sharing session about “tried and true” recipes from the farm, Bradley said. Each participant will go home with a recipe book, packing checklist and a weekly meal planner template, she added.

“Even if you aren’t feeding farm workers, this program is for everyone,” Bradley pointed out. “Looking for a new recipe to try or maybe need a refresher on how to prepare fresh, well-balanced meals? This program is suited for anyone and everyone who cooks, feeds and eats.”

When planning field-ready meals, she said meals should be balanced and those preparing the meals should be certain nutritional needs are being met. Staying hydrated, Bradley said, will keep you healthy, focused and awake.

“Maybe plain water isn’t appealing to you, consider adding fruit, splash of juice or powdered/liquid water flavorings,” she said.

Dietary restrictions, limitations, food allergies or sensitives should also be considered, Bradley said.

“Keep your crew healthy. Pack along a homemade hand-washing station or some hand sanitizer to use before indulging in yummy field meals,” she said.

Bradley said the Field-Ready Meals event came about after feedback from programs such as Ladies Night Out and Harvesting Her Voice, both hosted by the Purdue University Women in Ag team.

“Whether it is farm stress, work life balance, finding your role or more hands-on like backing a trailer or flower arranging, we have had a lot of great opportunities for women over the past year. We have seen a lot of interest in a ‘Meals to the Field’ program,” she said.

The program will be hosted in a kitchen meant for farmers and farm meal preparation, Bradley said. She said organizers hope for about 15 participants. For more information, contact Bradley at sdaming@purdue.edu.