Produce Safety can be Practical and Affordable for Small Farms!

With the increase in food borne illnesses associated with fresh produce, more and more produce buyers are asking the farms they buy from if they have a farm food safety plan.  UVM Extension’s Center for Sustainable Agriculture is offering a  day-long hands-on workshop on writing a farm safety for small and diversified fruit and vegetable farmers who market directly and locally.

You will go home with a two-page draft of your own On-Farm Food Safety Plan with specific action-steps needed to implement it. This can be shared with interested local retail and wholesale customers.

Morning:

• Learn the fundamentals of produce safety for small, diversified farms
• Identify actions to increase produce safety, quality and efficiency on your farm

Afternoon:

• Catered lunch
• Visit Deep Meadow Farm to observe and discuss their on-farm food safety practices, how they were implemented, and their impact on produce safety and farm management.
• Return to class to discuss and finish plans

Many hands make light work - we encourage multiple participants from one farm! If two people are attending from one farm, the cost is $15 per person

Regarding cost and payment:  You have the option to register and pay by check in order to save the $2.64 online processing fee for credit cards. 

Please email Cheryl at cheryl.herrick@uvm.edu to receive a registration by email, and then send the completed form with a check for $30 (made out to UVM) to:   Jenny Brown, UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture, 106 Highpoint Center, Suite 300, Colchester, VT 05446, or else call Cheryl with a credit card at 802-656-5459 by February 5.  

Scholarships are available upon request please contact Ginger Nickerson by February 5th for a scholarship

Require a disability related-accommodation?  Please contact  Ginger Nickerson at (802) 505-8189 or gnickers@uvm.edu by February 1, at the latest so we may assist you.