Lifting Tool for Carrying Plant Containers
Weeding Stand for Plant Nurseries
Smaller Picking Tub
A Specialized Harvest Cart for Greens
Participatory Ergonomics Team
New Rakes for Harvesting Berries
Power Cutter for Woody Plants
Metered Liquid Applicator
A Rolling Dibble Marker
Scraper Handle
Simple Solutions Are Cost-Effective!
Mesh Bags: Easy Batch Processing
Standard Containers
Narrow Pallet System
Packing Shed Layout

Problem:	One Solution:
Washing leafy greens by hand is backbreaking and time-consuming.	Use mesh bags to speed the process.
Worker must stoop, lift, and grip repeatedly.	Erect posture while removing and draining leaves.
Slow washing reduces crop quality.	Greater amount per trip: can use batch processing.
There is static load on arms while holding produce to drain.	Able to wash 50% more greens (by weight) in the same amount of time.
Hands are in direct, frequent contact with cold water.	Faster process maintains crop quality.
Rough handling lowers crop quality.	Hands spend less time immersed in cold water.
	Less chance of leaf damage from crushing.

Mesh Bags

When Would I Use a Mesh Bag?

A mesh bag is a woven or knotted polyester or nylon sack that lines your harvest containers or wash basins. When you need to wash a large number of small items (such as salad greens, peas, beans), a mesh bag can save you time and help reduce stress and strain on your body.

What Is 'Batch Processing'?

You can move a large amount of produce at one time through the harvest, washing, and drying process. This amount, or batch, allows you to speed the entire process because you cut out many short repetitions along the way. For example, you can line your harvest container with a mesh bag, then lift the entire bag and its contents into the wash basin. Leave the produce in the bag to soak and rinse, and then lift the entire batch to dry. Dry light produce by placing the bag into a commercial salad spinner, or use an old washing machine set to "spin" cycle. The mesh allows water to drain out. If you don't have a spinner or washing machine to dry produce, spin the bag lasso-style in the air.

Will Using Mesh Bags Save Me Money?

Mesh bags cost approximately $2-$5 apiece, and the time savings from batch processing with a mesh bag will increase your profit. You can lift 50% more produce by weight with a mesh bag compared to by hand without a bag. Indirect savings will occur from preventing stress and strain on your body. Produce quality is improved with faster washing and drying, and produce loss from repeated handling is also prevented.

Where Can I Get Mesh Bags?

Several companies sell mesh bags for various uses such as laundry bags and storage bags. Check ads in magazines such as the American Vegetable Grower, Growing for Market, and The Packer. The Nylon Net Company sells a 22"x22" square bag with 1/4" mesh. Cady Industries sells 32"x27" knotted McKnit bags. These sources are provided as a convenience for our readers. They are not an endorsement by the University of Wisconsin-Extension, nor is the list exhaustive.

Cady Industries
P.O. Box 2087
Memphis, TN 38101
800-622-3695

Nylon Net Co.
845 North Main St.
Memphis, TN 38107
800-238-7529

Contact Information

This material was developed by the Healthy Farmers, Healthy Profits Project, whose goal is to find and share work efficiency tips that maintain farmers' health and safety and also increase profits. For more information, visit our web site at http://bse.wisc.edu/hfhp/ or call 608-265-9451.

Healthy Farmers, Healthy Profits Project, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin, 460 Henry Hall, Madison, WI 53706.

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