Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training
Virtual by Zoom
May 1 & 2, 2025
8:00 AM to 12:30 PM – Zoom link will be sent one week prior to class
Cost: $25
Who Should Attend:
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. 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.”
This workshop is offered in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.
Taking this class grants up to 3 pesticide credits!
Note: Grant funded; limited to Maine residents only.
- Minimum number of registrations: 10
- Maximum number of registrations: 25
Technology requirements:
Computer with audio and video capabilities and broadband internet connection capable of stable videoconference using Zoom.
Registration closes April 22, 2025.
Register here
Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training – Agenda
May 1, 2025, Grower Training Day 1
8:00-8:15 Technology check, Welcome, Instructions
8:15-8:30 0. The Rule, Regulations, and Exemptions
8:30-9:30 1. Introduction to Produce Safety
9:30-9:45 Break
9:45-11:00 2. Worker Health, Hygiene, and Training
11:00-12:30 3 and 4. Soil Amendments/Wildlife, Domesticated Animals and Land Use
May 2, 2025, Grower Training Day 2
8:00-9:00 5.1 Production Water
9:00-10:00 5.2 Postharvest Water
10:00-10:15 Break
10:15-11:30 6. Postharvest Handling and Sanitation
11:30-12:30 7. How to Develop a Food Safety Plan
Check our other classes and future offerings of FSMA Produce Safety at
https://extension.umaine.edu/food-health/food-safety/training/
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: Post-harvest Water)
- Post-harvest Handling and Sanitation
- How to Develop a Farm Food Safety Plan
Benefits of Attending the Course:
Participants will receive up to three (3) pesticide credits upon completion of this workshop.
The course will provide a foundation of farm food safety best practices 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.
For more information about the training, contact Robson Machado at robson.machado@maine.edu or 207.581.3144.