Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training
In-Person Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Scheduled for June
It's been some time since we have offered an in-person Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training!
Join us Wednesday, June 14th in Corvallis, Oregon for a one-day in-person training. Registration fee for this course of $35 includes materials, lunch, and certificate of completion.
We also have additional spaces available for a remote course scheduled for May 24-25, 2023.
Register soon for these Spring 2023 opportunities.
Upcoming Courses
April 26-27 FULL
May 17-18 FULL
Click on the dates to register for an upcoming class.
Remote and In-Person Course Delivery Requirements
The Oregon Department of Agriculture is pleased to continue to offer the Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Training remotely, with the additional opportunity to chose an in-person course.
Our in-person course will be held in Corvallis, Oregon, and is open to all Oregon growers. This will be a full-day of instruction and participants are expected to be present for all modules during the day.
Remote classes consist of two-half day interactive trainings with materials provided. Remote classes are a temporary option developed by the PSA to serve growers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through participation in this class, ODA is also able to offer 3 core pesticide recertification credits for participants if they are a licensed pesticide applicator in the state of Oregon.
Each class is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you are interested in attending a course, please register soon. If a class becomes full, please join the waitlist to be notified of openings or future course offerings.
Participants must have a computer or mobile device with two-way video and audio capabilities (a webcam).
Access to strong internet connectivity - at least receiving 2.5 and sending 3.0 Mbps. Internet speeds can be tested at SpeedTest.
Participant attendance and engagement will be monitored regularly by instructors. In order to successfully complete the training, which is required by the FSMA Produce Safety Rule, and to receive the certificate of completion for the course, participants must be actively engaged and in attendance for all modules.
Who should attend?
Produce growers, buyers, and anyone interested in learning about:
Best food safety practices for growing, harvesting, handling, and packing produce
Key requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule
Foundations of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs)
Co-management of natural resources and food safety
Even if your farm or operation isn't covered by the rule (use our online tool to check here) this low-cost, up-to-the-minute training is a great opportunity for anyone growing, harvesting, handling or packing covered produce.
What to expect
Trainers will spend the course time covering information from the following modules:
Introduction to produce safety
Worker health, hygiene, and training
Soil amendments
Wildlife, domesticated animals, and land use
Agricultural water testing and analysis
Post-harvest handling and sanitation
How to develop a farm food safety plan
Benefits of attending
In addition to the certificate of completion ($35 value) and the Grower Training Manual ($50 value), individuals who participate in a certified PSA Grower Training 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
Components of a farm food safety plan and how to begin writing one
Requirements in the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and how to align your operation with them
Questions?
Contact: producesafety@oda.oregon.gov
This publication is/ supported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award U2FFD007422 totaling $630,000 with 100 percent funded by FDA]/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by FDA/HHS, or the U.S. Government..