Colorado State University Extension, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association and Colorado Department of Agriculture will be hosting an online only Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course in two parts, from 8am-1:00pm on both February 25 and February 26, 2021.  See agenda. We are excited to host this course for Colorado growers. Since it is online only, it has a very specific structure. Please read all the registration information to make sure this course will work for you.

This course will provide a foundation on the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and co-management information, and details on how to develop a farm food safety plan. Individuals are expected to gain a basic understanding of:

• Requirements in the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and how to meet them;
• 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; and
• Parts of a farm food safety plan and how to begin writing one.

The registration fee is $35 which includes PSA materials and a certificate of completion as required under FSMA. Registration for this course closes on February 12, 2021 in order to have time to mail out course materials. If you are transferring your registration from a previous course you could not attend, please email Martha at [email protected] to register.

Note that this online course has very specific requirements:

• This course will be offered only online. As such you will need:
  • a good internet connection (>25 Mbps download, >3 Mbps upload), access to Zoom software (it’s free to download ahead of time at https://zoom.us/download, or it will automatically download when you first join the workshop);
  • speakers;
  • a microphone; and
  • two-way video capabilities.
  • We will have someone available to assist you with any tech needs, and we will help you test your equipment beforehand.
  • You will need to have the PSA Grower Training manual in order to participate. We will mail this to you in advance, along with other materials and the Zoom link to connect.
  • We will be verifying participation throughout the course, so you will need to have your video camera on at all times.
  • You will receive an online evaluation form to complete, which must be received right after taking the course.
  • You must be present for the entire course and attend all PSA modules to receive a PSA/AFDO Certificate of Course Completion. You will receive this certificate by email following the course.

If you have any concerns or questions about this course, please contact Martha Sullins at [email protected]. We want this to be a successful educational opportunity about the Produce Safety Rule! 

REGISTER for this training.