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October Produce Safety Grower Training

LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE!

Food System Resources & Opportunities

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In-Person Produce Safety Grower Training in Fayettville

LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE!

Who should attend

Anyone who grows, harvests, packs and handles fresh fruits and vegetables.

Why you should attend

On-farm food safety practices are vital in the produce industry. Many farms are now required to comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule. This training will educate growers on that Rule.

What you receive

Upon completion of this training, participants receive a certificate satisfying the requirement 112.22(c) in the Produce Safety Rule. Attendance of entire training required for receipt.

Training is October 26th

REGISTRATION CLOSES OCTOBER 23rd

Lunch, snacks, training manual, & materials provided

Questions?

Contact Rip Weaver here.

Food System Resources & Opportunities

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VIDEO 🎥

Building a Low-Cost Wash Station

Building a wash station for cleaning and sanitizing equipment can be expensive, but it doesn't have to be. There are simple, cost-effective ways to construct one using readily available materials. In this video, Remi Harrington with Zoo City Farm & Food Network and Laura Brosius with Full Plate Farm demonstrate how they built a portable, low-cost wash station on their farm.

This video was produced by Michigan State University Extension's Agrifood Safety program.

FACT SHEET 📄

FSMA Produce Safety Rule: Documentation for Water Laboratory Analysis Results

When a farm has agricultural water analyzed for compliance, they must not only consider the results but also keep a record of the analysis. The Produce Safety Rule (PSR) has specific requirements for the required record. This fact sheet includes a model water record, and is intended to help a farm evaluate whether the laboratory analysis report meets PSR requirements and, if not, how to adjust the report to meet PSR requirements.

This fact sheet was developed by the Produce Safety Alliance.

VIRTUAL LABS/VIDEO 🌐🎥

Fruit and Vegetable Food Safety Training Video for Field Employees

Cleaning and sanitizing minimize potential contamination from pathogenic microorganisms on surfaces such as tools and equipment, thereby reducing cross-contamination and the incidence of foodborne illnesses. Proper sanitization is not only best practice, but a requirement of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule.

Covered farms must inspect, maintain, clean, and – when necessary and appropriate – sanitize all food contact surfaces, including tools and equipment to protect against the contamination of covered produce.

These virtual labs and videos developed by WSDA, UGA, & NM State Extension assist growers with proper cleaning and sanitizing of tools for the farm.

Food Finance Institute (FFI)

The University of Wisconsin System's Food Finance Institute (FFI) helps food-focused businesses raise the money they need to grow. FFI's mission is to make sophisticated financial technical assistance available to every growing food, beverage, and value-added farm enterprise. They offer a range of financial learning and training opportunities through bootcamps, fellowships, technical assistance, planning & consultation.

Food Systems Partners Investing in Communities and Entrepreneurs (Food SPICE)

The Michigan State University's Center for Regional Food Systems has a host of food business & financial resources through their Food Systems Partners Investing in Communities and Entrepreneurs (Food SPICE) program. Find information on everything from loans, grants, crowdfunding, local financial sources, and much more. Many resources are for beginning farmers and food entrepreneurs.

For more information, contact Rachel Hale here.