Produce Safety Rule Training
The North Dakota Department of Agriculture has scheduled free training sessions for produce growers across the state.
“Fruit and vegetable growers and others interested in learning about produce safety, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), and co-management of natural resources and food safety should attend,” Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said. “Attending a session will satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement that requires at least one supervisor or responsible party on a farm to complete food safety training recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration.”
The sessions will be held Friday, March 22, 2024, at the North Dakota Heritage Center. There is also a remote option for those who cannot attend in person.
The 2024 training will be open to growers from North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Montana.
Topics to be covered include:
- Introduction to produce safety
- Worker health, hygiene and training
- Soil amendments
- Wildlife, domesticated animals and land use
- Agricultural 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 topic. There will be time for questions and discussion, so participants should come prepared to share their experiences and produce safety questions.
The sessions are a full day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with registration starting at 8:30 a.m. There will be a 30-minute break for lunch, which will be provided for those attending in person.