By Annalisa Hultberg and Anne Sawyer – Extension Educators, Horticultural Food/ Farm Saftey
This fall and winter the University of Minnesota Extension is partnering with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and other partners to host 14 FSMA Produce Safety Rule trainings around the state for produce farmers. The Produce Safety Rule is one of seven parts of the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), which is new federal food safety regulation that applies to the entire food system. The Produce Safety Rule applies to produce growers who sell more than $25,000 in produce per year (adjusted for inflation). Some farms covered by the rule may also qualify for an exemption based on sales, crops grown, or the intended use of the produce. To comply with this rule, fruit and vegetable farms that grow, pack, harvest and/or hold produce and that do not qualify for an exemption or exclusion need to attend this training that uses the FDA-approved curriculum. (To learn if your farm is covered by the rule view the UMN FSMA and the Produce Safety Rule factsheet at https://extension.umn.edu/growing-safe-food/fsma-and-produce-safety-rule-does-rule-
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However, all growers interested in learning about produce safety, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and the FSMA Produce Safety Rule are encouraged to attend and will find the course material valuable and beneficial. Learning about and implementing good agricultural practices protects your farm and business, can help you get a GAP audit if needed, and keeps our local foods safe and healthy for all. These dynamic courses will be co-led by trained fruit and vegetable farmers and staff from UMN Extension and Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Date and Locations (details and addresses at registration page):
Date and Locations (details and addresses at registration page):
Nov. 9, 2018 Bemidji
Nov. 14, 2018 Windom
Nov. 28, 2018 Morris
Dec. 5, 2018 Hutchinson
Dec. 12, 2018 Brooklyn Park
Dec. 17, 2018 St. Paul
Jan. 9, 2019 St. Cloud (Day before MN Organic conference)
Jan. 16, 2019 St. Cloud (Day before MFVGA/MFMA conference)
Jan. 23, 2019 Mankato
Jan. 25, 2019 Cloquet
Feb. 6, 2019 St. Charles
Feb. 20, 2019 Andover
Mar. 13, 2019 Moorhead
Mar. 20, 2019 Farmington
Register: www.psp.tix.com. Registration deadline is 10 days before each class, or until full. Register early – last year four of five courses were sold out with wait lists.
Cost: $25 (This cost is subsidized and will likely rise in the coming years). Registration includes training materials, lunch, refreshments, and a certificate of attendance, issued by the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO). Certificate of attendance is good for life.
Schedule: Check-in 8:30 a.m.; training 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Class Size: Limited to 40 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. No walk-ins accepted. If you have any questions contact The Minnesota Department of Agriculture Produce Safety Program or call (651) 539-3648 or email producesafety.mda@state.mn.us.