Randolph 4-H Club issued the following announcement on Sept. 28.
October 11, 2018
Produce Safety Alliance
Grower Training Course
October 11, 2018 8:00am – 5:00pm CDT Dominy Memorial Library
201 S. 3rd St.
Fairbury, Illinois 61739
Hosted by University of Illinois Extension
Sponsors: Spence Farms, LLC, Southern Illinois University – Carbondale,
Do you have concerns about safety in your produce operation? Are you concerned about compliance with FSMA? Do you want to know more about the difference between FSMA and GAPs? Then the Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training might be for you!
On October 11, 2018, from 8:00am to 5:00pm CST, University of Illinois Extension will be holding a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training workshop at the Dominy Memorial Library, 201 S. 3rd St., Fairbury, Illinois 61739.
You can register and find more Information here: http://go.aces.illinois.edu/PSAFairbury2018
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.’
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
If you need reasonable accommodations to participate in any activities in this program, please contact your local U of I Extension Office
University of Illinois* U.S. Department of Agriculture* Local Extension Councils Cooperating
University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment
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.
Benefits of Attending the Course
The course will provide a foundation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and co-management information, FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements, and details on how to develop a farm food safety plan. Individuals who participate in this course are expected 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, practices that reduce risks, and how to begin implementing produce safety practices on the farm
Parts of a farm food safety plan and how to begin writing one
Requirements in the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and how to meet them.
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.
Costs to Attend
Costs include registration, lunch, handouts, PSA Grower Training Manuals, and the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) Certificate of Course Attendance. Certificates are required for individuals looking to meet the conditions of the FSMA Produce Rule. The first ten (10) individuals signing up for this training will receive the Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Manual free of charge, courtesy of a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Food Safety Outreach Grant through Southern Illinois University - Carbondale; a savings of $50.00. Discount will be given after registration has been completed. This will be on a first-come, first-served basis only.
Registration will close on September 26, 2018. There are a limited number of seats available for this training. Once the course is full, registration will close.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellation of the registration will forfeit the payment in full. Refunds will not be issued.
Questions can be directed to Laurie George at (618) 242-0780 or at ljgeorge@illinois.edu.
Original source can be found here.
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