Report Urges Farmers to Test for PFAS
A national agricultural science report advises farmers to test inputs and keep records as PFAS contamination concerns grow.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Organic Food
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The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology released a national report in October 2026 advising farmers to test inputs and keep records on PFAS, the persistent chemicals also known as forever chemicals. Most PFAS found on Minnesota farms originated from sources outside of farming.
Why it matters
PFAS can reach farms through biosolids, compost, irrigation water, or feed, making contamination a practical concern for producers across the country. The report underscores that much of the exposure is unintentional, shifting focus toward testing and record-keeping rather than intentional application.
The EPA lists more than 21,000 PFAS compounds, while USDA found PFAS in fewer than 0.1% of 3,199 meat and poultry samples and FDA found none in 97% of about 800 food samples. Evidence of harm is strongest for PFOA and PFOS, and the USDA cannot set PFAS limits for soil, water, or crops.
The players
Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST)
A nonprofit consortium of scientific societies that publishes science-based reports on agricultural issues for policymakers and the public.
McDaniel
A speaker during a CAST webinar on October 19, 2026 who discussed PFAS on farms.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The federal agency responsible for environmental protection that lists PFAS compounds and has issued voluntary draft biosolids guidance.
The details
The report, titled "PFAS in Agriculture: Science, Uncertainty, and Risk Communication," says PFAS usually reaches farms via biosolids, the solid leftovers from wastewater treatment spread as fertilizer, as well as compost, irrigation water, or feed. Minnesota has required PFAS testing on biosolids before land application since September 2025.
Timeline
September 2025: Minnesota began requiring PFAS testing on biosolids before they are spread on farmland.
October 2026: CAST released the PFAS in agriculture report.
2026: EPA voluntary draft biosolids guidance is in effect.
Roadmap
The EPA's 2026 voluntary draft biosolids guidance recommends spreading biosolids on lower-exposure crops such as grain, fiber crops, or corn for ethanol. The CAST report extends that federal direction by urging farmers to test inputs and keep records as PFAS concerns continue to develop.
Farmers can test biosolids, compost, irrigation water, and feed inputs for PFAS and keep records of what is applied to their fields. Minnesota producers must already test biosolids before land application, and the CAST report advises similar steps for farms elsewhere.
The takeaway
Keeping clear records of farm inputs and testing them where possible is a practical step producers can take now while federal PFAS guidance continues to evolve.
Further reading
Explore more on Organic Food in the United States for context on farm inputs and food safety.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Agweek.
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