Agriculture in the Far North
Agriculture in Alaska is distinct. Growers, farmers and gardeners must contend with unpredictably short growing seasons, yearly infestations of various insects, long daylight hours and even the occasional mid-season frost. While consumers may have a difficult time finding informed advice from "Outside,” local Extension agriculture and horticulture agents and specialists are highly trained professionals who experience the same challenges as residents.
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the UAF Cooperative Extension Service are offering a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training course from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on April 24-25 via Zoom.
This training is an FDA-approved course that satisfies the grower training curriculum requirements under the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule.
The free course is open to any grower interested in learning about produce safety. Growers who attend all seven modules of the training will receive a free certificate of course completion.
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 FSMA Produce Safety Rule and how to meet them
This class covers the following seven modules:
- 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
Email producesafety@alaska.gov to register and receive the Zoom link.
For more information, contact Dena Cologgi at producesafety@alaska.gov or 907-375-8200.
Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made five business days in advance to Cologgi. Language access services, such as interpretation or translation of vital information, will be provided free of charge to individuals with limited English proficiency upon request to amnorris2@alaska.edu
This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.