How Franklin County NRCD Practices Biosecurity

What is Biosecurity?

Microorganisms live all around us—in our bodies, on our skin, in soil, and on dust particles in the air. While many microorganisms are harmless or beneficial, some can cause or spread diseases that affect livestock, humans, and plants. These microorganisms can be transported from one place to another by people, animals, equipment, soil, water, and other materials—often without us realizing it.

Biosecurity is the practice of preventing the spread of diseases caused by microorganisms, limiting the introduction and spread of invasive species, and reducing exposure to harmful pathogens. These practices help protect plants, animals, people, and the environment from biological threats.

Biosecurity protocols are especially important for the work that Franklin County Natural Resources Conservation District (FCNRCD) does. From both a farm and environmental perspective, biosecurity helps protect animal health, farm productivity, surrounding ecosystems, and the broader agricultural community.

Viva Goetze prepares the boot wash station with scrubbing brushes, water, and Vikron S tablets to disinfect boots after a farm visit.

Farm Perspective:

Following biosecurity practices can:

• Prevent disease from entering a farm — Diseases can be brought onto a farm by livestock, wildlife, people, vehicles, equipment, feed, water, and other materials.

• Reduce disease spread between animals — Separating sick animals, cleaning equipment, and following proper animal-handling practices can help limit transmission.

• Protect farm productivity and income — Disease outbreaks can result in animal losses, reduced production, veterinary expenses, and movement restrictions.

• Protect neighboring farms — Pathogens can spread beyond one property through shared equipment, waterways, wildlife, livestock, and people.

• Maintain healthy livestock — Preventing disease is generally easier and less costly than responding to an outbreak after it occurs.

  
  

Environmental Perspective:

Biosecurity also helps protect the surrounding environment by:

• Preventing the spread of invasive species and pathogens between farms, waterways, and natural areas.

• Protecting wildlife from diseases that can move between domestic animals and wild populations.

• Protecting waterways from pathogens and other contaminants that may be transported through runoff or animal waste.

• Maintaining healthy ecosystems — Diseases, invasive species, and other biological threats can disrupt native wildlife and ecological communities.

• Reducing the need for treatments — Preventing disease can reduce the need for antibiotics and other treatments, which may have environmental impacts when improperly managed.

  
  

Why does biosecurity matter?

Farms and natural areas are connected. Animals, people, water, soil, wildlife, and equipment move between agricultural land and surrounding ecosystems. As a result, a pathogen or invasive species introduced in one location can spread much farther. For example, contaminated equipment could carry a pathogen from one farm to another. Wildlife or runoff could also transport pathogens between agricultural land and a nearby wetland, stream, or other natural area.

Good biosecurity practices create a protective barrier between farms, animals, people, and the environment, helping prevent biological threats before they become larger problems.

Boots being disinfected following FCNRCD"s protocols.

How does FCNRCD implement biosecurity?

Franklin County NRCD recognizes the need to implement biosecurity practices during our site visits to farms and conservation sites. In early 2025, staff developed internal protocols and are implementing them in Fall 2026. As we deploy these guidelines, adjustments and additions will be made as necessary.

Franklin County NRCD is committed to keeping farms and the environment safe by taking these measures (non-comprehensive list):

• Communicating with landowners before, during, and after farm visits about biosecurity measures; such as current or potential threats, any additional practices they implement, and their comfortability with our practices.

• Wearing clothes that are properly washed and boots made of nonporous material that can be cleaned and disinfected. Disinfecting boots via a wash station after site visits. 

• Wearing protective equipment such as disposable gloves, masks, and booties over shoes. Properly disposing of these materials on site in trash bags and finally at the FCNRCD office.

• Making sure any equipment, such as shovels, spades, or soil sampling gear, is disinfected before arriving at a farm.

• Washing hands before and after a site visit.

• Parking in a clean area away from hazardous/biologically sensitive material. 

• Closing vehicle windows before exiting.

• Packing any contaminated equipment in an area of the vehicle separate from unused equipment.

• Avoid touching animals while on site visits. Following livestock protocols to prevent at-risk animals (such as young or breeding individuals) from coming in contact with other animals.

• Replacing any materials, such as gloves, booties, and cleaning supplies, used during site visits.

  
  

Biosecurity is about prevention. By taking simple steps to prevent the spread of diseases and pathogens, we can protect farm animals and livelihoods while also protecting wildlife, waterways, and healthy ecosystems.