PSR Ag Water Assessment Updates "Field & Lecture" Workshop @ the Wye

• Course Materials (PowerPoint Slides & Handouts)

• Light breakfast & Lunch (covered by registration fee)

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.

This workshop will be a valuable experience for any grower who received their PSR Grower Training Certificate prior to May 2024, those who want a refresher and in-person guidance on ag water assessments, or large and small scale specialty crop growers (like melon growers) who are expected to be in compliance as of the dates below:

• Large farms - April 7, 2025
• Small farms - April 6, 2026
• Very small farms - April 5, 2027

At this workshop growers will learn how to comply with the 2024 updated federal requirements under the FSMA Produce Safety Rule (PSR) Subpart E for the Agricultural Water Assessment (AWA) of pre-harvest water. This includes understanding the components of the AWA, how to properly evaluate risks and hazards, and recordkeeping requirements, as well as a discussion comparing requirements under Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) audit standards and the PSR standards.

Active learning will take place in the field during a tour of the Wye Research Farm to practice conducting agricultural water assessments at different types of water sources and growing conditions. Attendees will receive a PSA Certificate of Completion for the FSMA PSR Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water Update.

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn and discuss their questions with experienced professionals in the food safety realm from the University of Maryland Plant Science & Food Safety Lab, Univeristy of Maryland Extension, the Produce Safety Alliance, Maryland Department of Agriculture, and the Agriculture Law Education Initiaitve.

8:30 AM Check In & Coffee/Tea

○ Pre-Workshop Eval

9:00 AM Welcome & Introductions

9:15 AM Understanding New Final Rule for Subpart E: What is an Ag Water Assessment?

10:00 AM Compare to GAP water system risk assessment requirements

10:30 AM Assessing Crop Characteristics for Biological Risks & Hazards Under PSR 112.43(a)(3)

11:30 AM Implementation of appropriate corrective actions and mitigation strategies

12:00 PM LUNCH (Explain Tour & Recordkeeping Templates)

12:30 PM Wye Farm Stops (including surface water pond, well, and irrigation systems)

3:15 PM Return to Classroom for Final Q&A and Record Reviews

○ Post-Workshop Eval

4:00 PM Adjourn

Equal Opportunity of Educational Programs:

University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact Megan Todd [email protected]

Los programas, actividades e instalaciones de la universidad están disponibles para todos sin distinción de raza, color, sexo, identidad o expresión de género, orientación sexual, estado civil, edad, origen nacional, afiliación política, discapacidad física o mental, religión, estado de veterano protegido, información genética, apariencia personal o cualquier otra clase legalmente protegida.

Si necesita adaptaciones razonables para participar en cualquier evento o actividad, comuníquese con Megan Todd a numero telephono (316-993-5293) o a correo electronico [email protected]

Funding for this series of work described in this article 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 U2FFD007444 totaling $1,280,384 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.

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