UMass Produce Safety Alliance Remote Grower Training
Event date/time: Thursday, January 30, 2025 from 9am to 2pm and Friday, January 31, 2025 from 9am to 2pm
Event Type: Online
Price: Free
Hosted by UMass Extension and the MDAR Produce Safety Program
REGISTER HERE
The Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Training Course is a standardized curriculum developed by the Produce Safety Alliance at Cornell University Extension. The course covers the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR) as well as general good agricultural practices.
The PSA Grower Training Course satisfies the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement outlined in PSR § 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 training is also required for participation in Massachusetts’ Commonwealth Quality Program.
This course is intended for commercial fruit and vegetable growers and others interested in learning about produce safety, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, farm food safety best practices, and co-management of natural resources and food safety, and is appropriate whether you have a large farm that is fully covered by the law or a small, exempt farm.
Your registration includes the following:
- Day 1 (9:00am-2:00pm): Half day instruction with time for questions and answers with our certified Produce Safety Alliance trainers.
- Day 2 (9:00am-2:00pm): Half day instruction with time for questions and answers with our certified Produce Safety Alliance trainers.
- Certificate of course completion* ($35 value)
- PSA Grower Training manual ($60 value) - this will be delivered to you before the course
- A list of additional resources on the covered topics
Technology requirements
- This class will be offered online using the Zoom platform. A link will be provided after registration.
- You must have a computer capable of a videoconference (i.e., sound, webcam, and internet connectivity) to take part.
- Computer camera must be on the entire class time. (Some exceptions made for participants with limited bandwidth, though attendees will be asked to turn on their cameras periodically to ensure attendance.)
**Participant attendance and engagement will be monitored, and you will only be eligible for the PSA/AFDO Certificate of Course Completion if you are present for all modules of the course.
What to Expect at the PSA Grower Training Course
The trainers will spend approximately seven hours of instruction time covering content contained in these seven modules:
- Introduction to Produce Safety
- Worker Health, Hygiene, and Training
- Soil Amendments
- Wildlife, Domesticated Animals, and Land Use
- Agricultural Water (Part I: Production Water; Part II: Postharvest Water)
- Postharvest Handling and Sanitation
- How to Develop a Farm Food Safety Plan
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.
Speaker(s) / Instructor(s):
- Lisa McKeag, UMass Extension
- Genevieve Higgins, UMass Extension
- Steven Pilis, MDAR Produce Safety Program
- Ben Comeau, MDAR Produce Safety Program
How to Participate:
REGISTER HERE: https://forms.gle/ZdXgwHBT3pyzSH5L8
Registration deadline January 16, 2025 - NO LATE REGISTRATIONS
Because space is limited and manuals are shipped to participants ahead of time, please be mindful that your registration indicates a commitment to attend. Certificates of attendance will only be issued to those who are present for all modules on both days.
Contact's name: Lisa McKeag
Contact's email: lmckeag@umass.edu
Contact's phone on day of event: 413-658-8631
This event will not be recorded
