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Wednesday, December 18, 2019 @ 9:30 am5:00 pm

$20

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Photo: Clarion River Organics

Ensure that your vegetable farm and processing activities comply with science-based standards for safely growing, harvesting, and storing produce to minimize the risk of foodborne illness.

This training will review Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), and Produce Safety Rule requirements. You’ll also learn how to develop a farm food safety plan. 

After completing the training, you’ll be eligible to receive a Produce Safety Alliance certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials that verifies you’ve completed food safety training. To receive the certificate, you must be present for the entire training and submit the appropriate paperwork to their trainer at the end of the course.

This seven-hour course will be facilitated by trainers certified by the Produce Safety Alliance and sponsored by the Pennsylvania Farmers Union and Penn State Extension. The training will cover the following topics:

  • Introduction to produce safety
  • Worker health, hygiene, and training
  • Soil amendments
  • Wildlife, domesticated animals, and land use
  • Agricultural water (production water & post-harvest water)
  • Post-harvest handling and sanitation

General admission is at a discounted rate of $20 and is made available through support from R.K. Mellon Foundation and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. All participants will receive a workbook worth $50 and a certificate worth $35. Complimentary beverages and lunch will be provided.

Speaker information

Jeffrey Stoltzfus, Penn State Extension: Jeff has worked as a farm food safety educator with Penn State since 2016. Previously, he spent 23 years with the ELANCO school district as an adult agriculture educator working with vegetable and crop production and eventually food safety. 

Lindsay Gilmour, Organic Planet: Lindsay has more than 14 years in value chain coordination, helping farmers meet the demands of the wholesale marketplace. Her current focus is GAP food safety education. She is trained in Harmonized Food Safety Standards, is a qualified USDA internal auditor for the Harmonized Standards, and is an internal auditor for ISO quality management systems for agricultural operations. She is a trainer for the FDA Produce Safety Rule, and is a “qualified individual” under the FDA Preventive Controls regulation.

Gary Bloss, Pennsylvania Farmers Union: Gary is a certified Produce Safety Alliance food safety trainer and food safety coordinator for Pennsylvania Farmers Union. He also co-manages the Josie Porter Farm in eastern Pennsylvania, serves on the board of the Northeastern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group, is a steering team member for the Chesapeake Foodshed Network, and holds a B.S.L.A. in landscape architecture from Penn State University and an M.L.A. from Harvard University.

Additional information

  • Registration includes lunch.
  • This event qualifies for two SmartStart credits through AgChoice Farm Credit. SmartStart allows young and beginning farmers to earn credits toward a reduced interest rate on a new AgChoice loan by attending educational events.

Questions?

Take a look at our frequently asked questions about our workshops and events. Otherwise, please contact this event’s coordinator, Dan Dalton by email at dan@pasafarming.org or by phone at (814) 349-9856 x710.

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Date: Wed, Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Time: 9:30 am - 5:00 pm

Location:
824 Whitmer Rd
Sligo, PA 16255


Cost: $20