ST. CLOUD, Minn. — Beginning in December, University of Minnesota Extension, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and other partners will host 100% virtual Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule Grower Trainings. This virtual training course is for produce growers and those interested in learning about produce safety, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), and the FMSA Produce Safety Rule. These courses are led by a team of MDA staff, UMN Extension staff, and experienced fruit and vegetable growers.
If your farm is not excluded or exempt from the FSMA Produce Safety Rule, at least one supervisor or responsible party from your farm must complete a training that uses FDA-recognized curriculum or equivalent. This course will satisfy this requirement. If you are unsure if your farm is covered by the rule please reach out to your local Extension office or visit www.extension.umn.edu. While training is required for farms covered by the Produce Safety Rule, all growers interested in learning about produce safety, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and the FSMA Produce Safety Rule are encouraged to attend. Learning about and implementing produce safety practices can help protect your farm and business, can help you get a GAP audit if needed, and helps keep our local food safe and healthy for all.
There are four dates that you can choose from to attend this training.
* Tuesday, December 15, 2020 8:45am – 5:00pm
* Tuesday & Wednesday, January 12 & 13, 2020 8:45am – 1:00pm
* Tuesday, February 9, 2020 8:45am – 5:00pm
* Saturday, March 13, 2020 8:45am – 5:00pm
The registration deadline is two weeks before each class date or until full. Preregistration is required. The cost of the course is $20, and you can register at www.psp.tix.com. Registration includes; training materials (mailed to you in advance) and a certificate of course attendance. In order to receive the certification, participation for the entire training is required. These requirements include that all attending individuals must have a web-cam, two-way audio (speakers & microphone), reliable internet, and will be required to have the web-cam on during the full course of the training. This is to verify participants’ presence and participation.
Training participants are eligible to receive a certificate of completion. Farms covered by the rule only need to have a responsible party complete training once to meet the FSMA Produce Safety Rule’s requirements.
If you have questions specific to the FSMA Produce Safety Rule please visit the Minnesota Department of Agriculture Produce Safety Program page, call (651) 539-3648 or email producesafety.mda@state.mn.us. You can also reach out to your local Extension Educator. Residents in Stearns, Benton and Morrison Counties can call 320-255-6169 ext. 1 or email wins0115@umn.edu.
Resources:
UMN Extension On-Farm GAPs Education Program: learn more about Good Agricultural Practices and the FSMA Produce Safety Rule.
Minnesota Department of Agriculture Produce Safety Program: learn more about Produce Safety Rule implementation in Minnesota, including On-Farm Readiness Reviews and inspections.
Produce Safety Alliance: Our national partners helping prepare fresh produce growers to meet the regulatory requirements included in the Produce Safety Rule.
— Katie Drewitz, University of Minnesota Extension
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