Produce Safety Grower Training Information
Registration is now open for our next two Produce Safety Grower Training Courses
Option - 1
In-Person Montana Produce Safety Grower Training
January 16 th, 2025 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Hampton Inn 1140 Hwy. 2 West, Kalispell, Montana
This is an in-person training (no remote option)
Option - 2
*REMOTE* Montana Produce Safety Grower Training
March 11 & 12, 2025 8:00 am – 2:00 pm, both days
This is a remote training, via Zoom
The registration fee for the course is $25/person. Lunch is included for the In-Person Training. Registration includes the training, course materials, and a certificate of course attendance. Participation for the entire training is required to receive a certificate. Attendance will be taken during each module to ensure attendance throughout the course.
*** REMOTE TRAINING - IMPORTANT NOTES FOR REGISTRATION ***
The Produce Safety Rule Grower Training Manual v1.2 will be mailed to registrants prior to the training – please be sure that the shipping address you provide at the time of registration is current and capable of receiving packages. Please use an email address that you can be reached at, as evaluations and a Zoom link for the training will be sent in a confirmation email prior to the training date.
In order to participate, individuals must have video and audio capability, and will be required to have both operating during the training.
Who Should Attend
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 are encouraged to attend. The PSA Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule training requirement.
What to Expect
Training Topics:
- 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.
Benefits of Attending
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.
After attending the entire course, participants will receive a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) that verifies they have completed the training course.
The Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) has been awarded a grant from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to support implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule . The funds will allow MDA to train Montana producers and help them comply with federal produce safety regulations. In addition to helping producers comply with FSMA, the training courses will also help them meet the standards required by institutional food buyers.
The Montana Department of Agriculture values diversity and inclusion; we are committed to a climate of mutual respect and full participation. Our goal is to create learning environments that are usable, equitable, inclusive, and welcoming. If you have specific needs or accommodation requests, please notify us as soon as possible at foodsafety@mt.gov or (406) 444-0131.
Montana Rules & Code: Produce
Contacts
