If your farm is covered by the Produce Safety Rule, the next step is to attend a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved Produce Safety Rule grower training course. Under the rule, a produce farm must have an employee who has completed this course. The course provides training to  ensure a responsible party employed by the farm understands the required food safety practices. Upon completion, you will have a better understanding of how your farm’s practices stack up against Produce Safety Rule requirements. You will also learn more about exceptions and  exemptions available under the rule.

This one-day course provides a foundation of good agricultural practices and co-management information, Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)  Produce Safety Rule requirements, and details for how to develop a farm food safety plan. After attending the course, you are eligible to receive a  certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) that verifies you completed the training. 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.

Trained and certified staff from the Safe Wisconsin Produce program and its partner organizations conduct a seven hour course that covers the  following 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

You must pre-register either online at the following link:

https://fsmaproducesafety.wiscweb.wisc.edu/registration/