Final mention for now: A succinct guide to FSMA compliance for small farms

By Terence Bradshaw

Only when describing a new Federal initiative can we say the a 35-page guide is succinct, but this is an excellent resource that should answer many questions about implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act and how it applies to your farm:

http://go.uvm.edu/fsmashortguide

-Terry

Where trade names or commercial products are used for identification,

no discrimination is intended and no endorsement is implied.

Always read the label before using any pesticide.

The label is the legal document for the product use.

Disregard any information in this message if it is in conflict with the

label.

The UVM Tree Fruit and Viticulture Program is supported by the

University of Vermont Agriculture Experiment Station, a USDA NIFA E-IPM

Grant, and USDA Risk Management Agency Funds.

Registration Open- New England Fruit & Vegetable Meetings December 12-14

By Terence Bradshaw

Online registration is now open for the 2017 New England Fruit and Vegetable Meetings in Manchester, NH, to be held December 12-14. As usual, there will be sessions for growers of all scales, scopes, and specialty crops, including two sessions each for apples and grapes, a stone fruit session, a cider and cider apple session moderated by me, and numerous other vegetable and general farm management topics. This is one of my favorite meetings of the year, and I look forward to seeing many familiar faces there.

Registration information may be found at: https://newenglandvfc.org/registration

Hotel information: https://newenglandvfc.org/accommodations

See you in December,

Terry

Where trade names or commercial products are used for identification,

no discrimination is intended and no endorsement is implied.

Always read the label before using any pesticide.

The label is the legal document for the product use.

Disregard any information in this message if it is in conflict with the

label.

The UVM Tree Fruit and Viticulture Program is supported by the

University of Vermont Agriculture Experiment Station, a USDA NIFA E-IPM

Grant, and USDA Risk Management Agency Funds.

Food safety meeting November 7 & 8

By Terence Bradshaw

I have received a number of questions regarding the November 7&8 Food Safety Training hosted by UVM Extension that I mentioned in a post this week. Below I summarize some quick answers from myself and UVM Extension’s Hans Estrin to the more common ones:

1. Will this training be offered again?

This training is offered again and again across the country and world (see Produce Safety Alliance schedule). It is unlikely, however that Vermonters will ever find a course SO close and almost fully subsidized!

2. What farmers need to take this?

Farms covered under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) produce rule MUST take it. That means any farm that sells more than $25,000 annually in ‘covered produce’, which includes fresh produce. If you sell less than $25,000 in edible produce. Producers who sell between $25k and $500k may fall into a ‘qualified exemption’ category, but the producer must still comply with rules surrounding the exemption. A quick chart regarding exemptions is available here. It is recommended for any other produce grower, and especially growing farms or farm somewhere near the 500K cut –off or those with sales below that who utilize wholesale markets.

3. Will CAPS suffice (no, if you’re not exempted or qualified exempt)?

No. This refers to the UVM Extension / VT Vegetable and Berry Growers Association Community Education for Produce Safety program. CAPS and Produce Safety Alliance training are different things. CAPS is a comprehensive program and with a certificate. PSA grower training is an extended education (standardized) presentation with mandatory attendance for covered farms. SO….CAPS is a good foundation for FSMA compliance, but does NOT substitute for the official grower training.

Answers to many Frequently Asked Questions regarding FSMA may be found here.

I will offer a word of warning passed on from Hans: this is, unfortunately, going to be a fairly bureaucratic training that is required for many producers as this Federal law continues to be implemented. It may be difficult to sit through, but the trainers are doing their best to make the information as useful as possible to growers. -TB

Where trade names or commercial products are used for identification,

no discrimination is intended and no endorsement is implied.

Always read the label before using any pesticide.

The label is the legal document for the product use.

Disregard any information in this message if it is in conflict with the

label.

The UVM Tree Fruit and Viticulture Program is supported by the

University of Vermont Agriculture Experiment Station, a USDA NIFA E-IPM

Grant, and USDA Risk Management Agency Funds.

Important Information for Vermont Produce Growers

See below for important opportunities to help with implementation of food safety programs on your farm. As we proceed with implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act, this stuff matters. -TB

Dear Vermont Produce Grower,

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) would like to share the following opportunities related to produce safety. Continue reading to learn about produce safety trainings, grants, and how to stay in the loop with timely produce safety news.

Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course: Nov. 7-8

VAAFM and UVM Extension invite all produce growers to attend the PSA Grower Training held on November 7 and 8 in Richmond, VT. This hands-on training provides all you need to know about the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule and how it impacts Vermont growers. $30 subsidized workshop fee includes training manual, meals, and Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) certificate—a $130 value. Click here to register. This training satisfies the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement for covered farms that “at least one supervisor or responsible party” completes “food safety training…recognized as adequate” by FDA (§112.22(c)).

Produce Safety Improvement Grant: Request for Proposals Available Now!

VAAFM is pleased to announce the first round of a two-round grant opportunity to improve on-farm produce safety! The Vermont Produce Safety Improvement Grant program provides grants for on-farm improvements to reduce produce safety risks. Approximately $74,000 in funding will be available each round. Growers will be able to submit applications beginning November 15, 2017; however, VAAFM strongly encourages growers to read the request for proposals (RFP) and prepare their applications in advance, as funds will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. To be eligible for the grant, applicants must grow, harvest, pack, or hold “covered produce” as defined by the FSMA Produce Safety Rule, and have average annual produce sales of greater than $25,000 over the past three years. Click here for the Vermont Produce Safety Improvement Grant webpage.

Be in the know with Produce Safety News: Produce Portal Enrollment

The Vermont Produce Program Team encourages all Vermont produce growers to enroll for the Produce Portal to:

  1. Receive timely policy updates for produce safety requirements.
  2. Access grant funds for farm food safety improvements.
  3. Request an On-Farm Readiness Review (a voluntary assessment of a farm’s produce safety readiness prior to inspection).

Click here to enroll today!

Questions? Email AGR.FSMA or call (802) 828-2433.

Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training – November 7 & 8 – Richmond, VT

Good Morning,

As the new Outreach and Education Coordinator for VAAFM’s Produce Program, I’d like to share with you the upcoming Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training held in Richmond, VT on November 7 and 8. Attached is a sheet containing more information on who should attend, benefits of attending, and what to expect from the training. In partnership with UVM Extension, we are happy to offer this training at a subsidized cost ($30) and are encouraging all produce growers to attend. Please spread the word about this training utilizing the attached sheet to your apple and grape growers and/or anyone else you feel will benefit from the training.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as I’m sure I will be communicating with you regularly. Before moving to Vermont, I lived in Breckenridge, Colorado for the past 5 years where I obtained a BA in Sustainability Studies. My most recent work has been with environmental non-profit, High Country Conservation Center, where I worked to help promote solutions for waste reduction and resource conservation. Now in my second week at VAAFM, I’m very excited to dive into working with partners and stakeholders to help educate the produce industry about produce safety and FSMA. I look forward to working with you all.

Please reach out with any questions regarding the training.

Best,

Dominique Giroux

Produce Program Outreach and Education Coordinator

Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets

116 State Street |Montpelier VT 05602-2901

Dominique.Giroux | (802) 522-3132

http://agriculture.vermont.gov/produceprogram

PSA-Grower-Course-Invitation November 2017.pdf

2017 New England Veg & Fruit Conference

Forwarding information on the upcoming New England Fruit & Vegetable Meetings in December from Mary Concklin. I hope to see many of you there.

-TB

Good morning,

I have attached the 2017 New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference brochure for your planning purposes. A great educational program has been put together covering a wide range of topics and knowledge levels. On-line registration will be ready shortly.

As for hotels, the conference hotel (Radisson Hotel Manchester) is now fully booked. For those of you who haven’t booked a room yet, there are other area hotels that have conference rates, including

Hilton Garden Inn – Discounted rate of $139/night when you mention affiliation with NEVFC. Less than a mile from the conference site. Must call before Nov 20 to get discounted rate. 101 South Commercial St., Manchester, NH 03101 (603) 669-2222

Comfort Inn Airport – Discounted rate of $89/$94 for single/double occupancy when you mention affiliation with NEVFC. Amenities include full hot breakfast & onsite fitness center & indoor pool. *Must make reservation by Nov 20* The Comfort Inn is 1.4 walking miles to conference site.
298 Queen City Ave., Manchester, NH, 03102 (603) 668-2600

Fairfield Inn – Discounted rate of $84.00 when you mention affiliation with NEVFC. Amenities include full hot breakfast & onsite fitness center. *Must make reservation by Nov 20*
860 S Porter St., Manchester, NH 03103 (603) 625-2020

La Quinta – Discounted Rate of $95.00 when you mention affiliation with NEVFC. Includes complimentary breakfast. *Must make reservation by Nov 20* La Quinta is 2 miles from the conference site. 21 Front St., Manchester, NH 03102 1-603-669-5400

Have a great day.

Mary Concklin