BISMARCK, N.D. — The North Dakota Department of Agriculture has scheduled free training sessions for produce growers across the state.
The sessions will address the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule, Good Agricultural Practices, and co-management of natural resources and food safety. 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 free in-person sessions will be held:
- Saturday, Nov. 14 at Fluffy Fields Vineyard & Winery, 2708 21 st St. E., Dickinson.
- Thursday, Jan. 14 at NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center, 663 Hwy. 281 N., Carrington.
- Thursday, March 4 at Baymont Inn & Suites, 2611 Old Red Trail, Mandan.
Topics to be covered include produce safety; worker health, hygiene and training; soil amendments; wildlife, domesticated animals and land use; agricultural water; postharvest handling and sanitation; and how to develop a farm food safety plan.
The sessions will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time with registration starting at 8:30 a.m. There will be a one-hour break for attendees to leave for lunch.
There is also a two-day virtual option being offered on Dec. 8-9 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. CST each day. The cost for the virtual option is $20 as it is being offered in conjunction with partners from other states and will require mailing materials.
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To ask questions about either the sessions or the FSMA Produce Safety Rule, please contact Jamie Good, local foods specialist, at 701-328-2659 or jgood@nd.gov . To register for either the in-person or virtual sessions, go to https://www.nd.gov/ndda/psr .
