JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NDSU) – Fruit and vegetable growers will have an opportunity to learn about produce safety during a training course set for April 5 at the North Dakota Farmers Union in Jamestown.
The North Dakota State University Extension Service is providing the Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course in cooperation with the North Dakota Farmers Union. The training will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“Providing safe food requires a field-to-fork approach,” says Julie Garden-Robinson, NDSU Extension food and nutrition specialist. “We are pleased to have partnerships in providing this training for growers and educators.
Connie Landis Fisk from Cornell University will lead the training. Holly Mawby from Dakota College at Bottineau and I will assist with the workshop.”
Participants will learn about the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) produce safety rules, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Good Agricultural Practices audits, co-management of natural resources and food safety. This training is required for all producers who are not exempt from the FSMA regulations.
Trainers will cover seven areas:
* Introduction to produce safety
* Worker health, hygiene and training
* Soil amendments
* Wildlife, domestic animals and land use
* Agricultural water
* Postharvest handling and sanitation
* How to develop a farm food safety plan
“I see this training as an excellent opportunity to not only get the training necessary under FSMA but also a chance to share their experiences with other growers,” says Jason McKenney, cooperative specialist with the North Dakota Farmers Union. “Even if a producer does not require training under the current regulations, I see this training as an opportunity for growers to add value to what they grow.”
The training is an outcome of the North Central Region Center for FSMA Training, Extension and Technical Assistance.
The cost of the training is $25. Register online at https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/fieldtofork.
For more information, contact Garden-Robinson at 701-231-7187 or julie.garden-robinson@ndsu.edu.