ST. CLOUD, Minn. — Do you grow fresh produce for sale or donation? If so, join U of MN Extension and farmer presenters this winter for a series of short, focused, virtual sessions to learn practical steps for keeping your produce safe, your customers healthy, and your business flourishing. This winter webinar series will take place the third Thursday of each month from November 2020 – March 2021 at 9:00-10:00 am. This series is being offered free of charge thanks to funding from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Register today at: z.umn.edu/WinterGAPSeries.
These virtual trainings are designed for small- to medium-sized fruit and vegetable growers, but any farmer or gardener is welcome to attend. Each session will be led by Extension educators and experienced farmers, with time for conversation and questions. Topics include:
* Monitoring water used on the farm: testing, irrigation, wash water sanitizers
Farmer trainer: Laura Frerichs, Loon Organics
* Animals and food safety: wild and domestic critters and managing them
Farmer trainer: Noreen Thomas, Doubting Thomas Farms
* Designing washing lines and packsheds for efficiency and sanitation
Farmer trainer: Joan Olson, Prairie Drifter Farm
* Manure and soil amendments: feed the soil and keep food safe
Farmer trainer: Jane Jewett, Willow Sedge Farm
* GAP audits, FSMA inspections, recordkeeping and food safety plans
Farmer trainer: Rodrigo Cala, Cala Farm
One attendee at each session entered to win a kit with handwashing stand materials for their farm! Although we will discuss the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and help you understand how it applies to you, please note that this is not a Produce Safety Rule Grower Training and sessions are not focused on the FSMA Produce Safety Rule.
For questions about this education series please reach out to Annalisa Hultberg; UMN Extension Educator, Food Safety at hultb006@umn.edu. If you have questions or need assistance with registration, please contact Katie Drewitz at wins0115@umn.edu or call 320-255-6169 ext. 1.
— Katie Drewitz, University of Minnesota Extension
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