From the desk of
THE PRODUCE SAFETY TEAM
January 11, 2021
Off-Season Produce Safety Tasks for a Successful Growing Season
Emily Hale
Produce Safety Technician
On-Farm Produce Safety is an ongoing effort. This infographic highlights three things you can work on during the off season to make your production season safer and easier!
Brand New Produce Safety Technician Website!
We recently launched a brand new website for the Produce Safety Technicians, which you can access at miofps.org. Take a look for produce safety resources, events, and information on all of the ways Produce Safety Technicians can help you on your farm.
Meet Patrick Gordon, Southwest Michigan's New Produce Safety Technician
Patrick Gordon is a Produce Safety Technician with the Berrien Conservation District in Southwest Michigan, working primarily with growers in Allegan, Berrien, Kalamazoo, and Van Buren counties, but serves the surrounding counties as well. Patrick earned his Master of Natural Resources from Virginia Tech University and has a Bachelor of Science in Geography with a specialization in environmental analysis and land management from Western Michigan University. Patrick has a strong passion for working with natural resources, especially in the agricultural sector. Prior to working with the Michigan Agricultural Conservation Districts, Patrick spent time with the United States Peace Corps in Uganda. His primary focus while in Uganda, was in the agricultural sector. He worked with farmers to build capacity, develop and implement programs relating to climate smart agriculture, safer post-harvest handling, and natural resources restoration. He is passionate about food and the value of the farm to table process, and is excited to work with the growers of southwest Michigan to improve safety in the agricultural food chain. Patrick currently lives in Kalamazoo with his long-time girlfriend and Husky, they spend most of their free time cooking, traveling and enjoying the abundant natural resources Michigan has to offer.

Patrick can be contacted by Email at [email protected], or by phone at 517-331-0093. He is excited to hear from and work with the growers of Michigan.
"Tech Talks" Provide Practical Solutions
for Produce Growers
Join Michigan's Produce Safety Technicians and various resource professionals, as we highlight different topics that relate to produce safety on a fresh produce farm. These topics will be a "deeper dive" into certain aspects of produce safety as each relates to the FSMA Produce Safety Rule; Good Agricultural Practices; and ways to minimize and implement practices to reduce microbial risks on the farm.

TECH TALK TOPICS:
January 20th 2021: Traceability and Produce Safety Plans - It's not as hard as it sounds!
March 18th 2021: Biofilms - Here's how to avoid them!
April 6th 2021: Wildlife Co-Management - help from the experts!

Pre-registration required!
PSA Trainings taught in both English and Spanish are Available!
Michigan On-Farm Produce Safety Team
1715 Lansing Ave, Jackson, MI 49202 | MSU Extension MACD Produce Safety Technicians
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