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Maine Cooperative Ext Offers Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training

October 14, 2020
UMaine Extension / USDA Logo

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension is offering two upcoming online Zoom classes on food safety for produce farms. It covers best practices for on-farm produce safety and the requirements of FSMA’s Produce Safety Rule.

This is the FDA-approved training for required for any farm that is fully covered under FSMA’s Produce Safety Rule. All farms who want to know more about produce safety are welcome to attend regardless of their size or coverage status!

This class is normally offered as a full-day, in-person workshop. Due to the pandemic it is being offered online as two half-day segments. Attendees must attend both segments to receive credit or course certificates.

Registration is $20 and covers the cost of mailing attendees a physical binder of course materials in advance. This class is restricted to Maine farmers.

Training Dates

November 5 AND 6, 2020 (Thursday and Friday morning back-to-back.)
Online/Virtual Sessions
Nov 5, Thursday: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Nov 6, Friday: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Registration closes on October 25

December 11 AND 18, 2020 (Two consecutive Friday mornings.)
Online/Virtual Sessions
Dec 11, Friday: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Dec 18, Friday: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Registration closes on November 29

How to Register

Cost: $20/attendee

To register contact Theresa Tilton:

This training will cover:

  • What makes people sick from food borne illnesses.
  • Microorganisms that affect public health and where those pathogen sources are on farms.
  • How to identify microbial risks, practices that minimize those risks, and basic best practices for food safety on produce farms.
  • Worker health & hygiene, and training.
  • Biological soil amendments, animals, wildlife, and land use.
  • Water and post-harvest washes.
  • Equipment, tools, and sanitation.
  • Records and food safety plans.

Whether you’re new to food safety and want to learn more, or you’re experienced and want to get ready for an inspection, this training will help you do that!  The class is presented by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and AgMatters, LLC. Staff will be on hand from the Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry to answer questions and share insights from the regulators’ perspective.

We hope you can join us! Stay safe and stay healthy.