Date/Time
Date(s) - November 28, 2017
9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Location

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The PSA Grower Training Course is designed for fruit and vegetable growers and others interested in learning about produce safety, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), and co-management of natural resources and food safety. The PSA Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement outlined in § 112.22(c) that requires ‘At least one supervisor or responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration.’

The course will cover: an introduction to produce safety; worker health, hygiene and training; soil amendments; wildlife, domesticated animals, and land use; agricultural water (both production and postharvest); postharvest handling and sanitation of produce; and developing a farm food safety plan.

Participants can expect to gain a basic understanding of: microorganisms relevant to produce safety and where they may be found on the farm; how to identify microbial risks, learn about practices that can reduce risks, and how to begin implementing produce safety practices on the farm; parts of a farm food safety plan and how to develop one; and requirements in the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and how to meet them.

In addition to learning about produce safety best practices, key parts of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements are outlined within each module. There will be time for questions and discussion, so participants should come prepared to share their experiences and produce safety questions.

After attending the entire course, participants will be eligible to receive a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) that verifies they have completed the training course. To receive an AFDO certificate, a participant must be present for the entire training and submit the appropriate paperwork to their trainer at the end of the course.

There is no cost for the training and the book will be provided.

Class limited to 30.

To register, call Ohio Department of Agriculture at ODA at 614-728-6250.