To help protect the purity of our gluten-free oats, we inspect and test each piece of farm equipment before it is used for harvest. We use gluten test swabs to check equipment for any possible barley or other gluten-containing grain residue that could come into contact with our oats.

One morning, Noriko, our photographer, and I went to the farm where the equipment was stored. This was my first time seeing a farm equipment inspection, so I was very interested to see how the process worked.

When we arrived, there was equipment everywhere. There were old cars in one area and different pieces of farm equipment in another, so at first, I wasn't sure which machines were used for harvesting oats and which were simply being stored.

We started with the combine—the large machine used to harvest the oats before they are loaded into trucks and brought to our facility. I knew combines were big, but seeing one up close was still impressive!

Noriko inspected areas of the combine where the oats would come into contact with the equipment. She used gluten test swabs to check for any possible contamination. She also climbed up to inspect and test areas on top of the combine while I stayed below and helped take photos for our social media. The combine was so tall that Noriko disappeared from sight a few times!

Next, we moved on to the trucks. Two trucks were ready to be inspected, while a third was still being cleaned when we arrived. After we finally got one of the trucks open, Noriko used her testing kit to check the areas where the oats would come into contact with the truck.

After the trucks were inspected and photographed, we moved on to the other machines used to handle and transport the oats. I had never really seen this type of farm equipment up close before, and it was interesting to learn what each machine was used for.

As we went from one piece of equipment to another, the farmer explained how each machine would be used during harvest. One of the machines was also designated for use with kosher oats. The farmer explained that some of the equipment was prepared specifically for this purpose as part of the kosher oat harvest.

One detail that caught my attention was that some replacement blades for the equipment were 3D printed. The farmer explained that it can be easier to print a new part when needed rather than search for a replacement.

After completing the inspections at the farm, we returned to the warehouse so Noriko could complete additional testing. Thankfully, all of the test results were clear. The equipment and trucks had been cleaned thoroughly, and we found no gluten contamination.

Before seeing this process myself, I hadn't realized how much preparation goes into getting farm equipment ready for a gluten-free oat harvest. Inspecting and testing the equipment is another important step in our efforts to protect the purity of our oats—from the field all the way to our customers.

Written by Ellie