The State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Office of the State Veterinarian is hosting a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 18, in the Raven Conference Room at the Aspen Suites Hotel in Sitka (210 Lake Street). This course is being held in conjunction with the Southeast Alaska Farmers Summit, which takes place on Feb. 15-17 at various locations around Sitka.

This FDA-approved course satisfies the Grower Training curriculum requirements under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule.

There is no charge for class participants. Funding is provided by an FDA-State of Alaska Cooperative Agreement. Growers will receive a free certificate of attendance for completing the course.

Who should register for this course? Commercial fruit & vegetable growers, farmers market vendors, and all others interested in learning about produce safety, the FDA Produce Safety Rule, and good agricultural practices should attend. Participants will gain a basic understanding of:

• 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 food safety practices on your farm; and
• Requirements of the FDA Produce Safety Rule and how to meet them.

This class covers these seven modules:

• Introduction to Produce Safety;
• Worker Health, Hygiene, and Training;
• Soil Amendments;
• Wildlife, Domesticated Animals, and Land Use;
• AgriculturalWater (Part I: Production Water; Part II: Postharvest Water);
• Postharvest Handling and Sanitation; and
• How to Develop a Farm Food Safety Plan

This course is being held in conjunction with the Southeast Alaska Farmers Summit, which has early bird registration deals that end on Dec. 31 (after Jan. 1, the price goes up). This event is hosted by the Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition and the Sustainable Southeast Partnership.