Chip Simmons, III

Chip Simmons, III serves as an Area Specialized Agent in Fresh Produce Food Safety within North Carolina State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Department of Horticultural Science. Based in Eastern North Carolina, he provides extension services across 51 counties focusing on agricultural safety compliance and outreach for fresh produce operations.

His expertise centers on food safety regulation implementation, particularly the Food Safety Modernization Act's Produce Safety Rule. Key research interests include agricultural water quality management, pre-harvest safety protocols, packinghouse sanitation standards, and risk mitigation strategies for fresh produce supply chains. His work bridges scientific research with practical on-farm applications through field demonstrations and stakeholder training.

Recent publications demonstrate consistent focus on evolving regulatory landscapes, with emphasis on water provision requirements and compliance frameworks. His conference organization and field day leadership reflect applied research translation into actionable grower education, addressing critical gaps in produce safety implementation across North Carolina's agricultural sector.