Produce Safety Rule Grower Training

The South Carolina Department of Agriculture invites produce farmers to complete this one-time FREE Produce Safety Alliance grower training course. Attendees of this free course will receive a Produce Safety Supply Starter Kits to aid in the implementation of produce safety culture on-farm.

Who Should Attend

South Carolina Fruit and vegetable growers covered by the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule should attend the course. The course reviews the Produce Safety Rule, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), 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.’

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

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.

**Snacks and Lunch will be provided. Please note of any food allergies or preferences.**

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.

Additional Information

Due to this course being offered free through grant funding, it will only be open to farms residing in South Carolina, only.

For more information about scheduled PSA Grower Training Courses, please visit the PSA website at http://producesafetyalliance.cornell.edu.

For questions, please contact Brooke Horton, SCDA Produce Safety Outreach Coordinator at (803) 351-1244 or [email protected] or Will Lever, SCDA Produce Safety Outreach Specialist at (803) 704-4435 or [email protected].

**Funding for this statement, publication, press release, etc. was made possible in part, by the Food and Drug Administration through grant PAR-16-137. The views expressed in written materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does any mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organization imply endorsement by the United States.**

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Host or Publisher South Carolina Department of Agriculture & Clemson Extension