Author: Georgia Dutcher

ANNOUNCEMENT
Contact JIM BARBER, 607-547-2536 x227, JRB248@cornell.edu
FSMA/GAP Training Opportunity
Are you a farmer interested in produce safety?
Will your farm need a food safety plan or third party verification to maintain your markets or access new ones?
The National Young Farmers Coalition (NYFC) is offering an FDA approved, 2-day training on Produce Safety Rules (PSR) to be held in Otsego County this spring. The training will cover Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) requirements for growers. NYFC is subsidizing the cost of the workshop, which will be approximately $40 per person, which includes lunch, a certificate of completion, and a binder of materials.
Benefits of the Training:
New York State is investing heavily in the New York State Grown and Certified Program "to strengthen consumer confidence in New York State products, address food product labeling, and assist New York farmers so they can take advantage of the growing demand for local, high quality food". To encourage participation, the state has made available substantial funding to help farmers meet the program's requirements ( https://certified.ny.gov/funding-opportunities ).
In order to become NYS Grown and Certified, farmers will need (GAP) certification. The proposed 2-day NYFC training will cover: how to write a farm food safety plan, third party audits and produce safety issues as they relate to the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Food Safety Rule.
NYFC offers trainings across the country to help familiarize farmers with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). As of 2018, all fruit and vegetable producers are subject to Produce Safety Rule (PSR) regulations. All non-exempt farms are required to have at least one owner or managerial staff member on site who has attended an approved FSMA, PSR training. Even exempt farms are required to keep certain records related to their exemption, which are covered as part of NYFC's trainings. And, regardless of your scale, everyone can benefit from learning about food safety practices on the farm!
Please email Greta at leatherstocking.nyfc@gmail.com if you are interested in signing up.
Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities. Accommodations for persons with special needs may be requested by contacting Cornell Cooperative Extension Schoharie and Otsego Counties prior to a program.
173 S. Grand St, Ste 1, Cobleskill, NY 12043 w 518.234.4303/296.8310 w 518.234.4305 Fax
123 Lake Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326 w 607.547.2536 w 607.547.5180 Fax
31 Maple Street, Oneonta, NY 13820 w 607.433.2521 (Wednesdays and Fridays)
Learn more about what’s happening with CCE Schoharie & Otsego Counties. View past and current issues of our Connections newsletter.
Email otsego@cornell.edu or visit us on the web: http://cceschoharie-otsego.org and Like Us at
Cornell Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educator and employer. STATEMENT OF CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this message, together with any attachments, may contain information that is confidential and intended for the exclusive use of the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, printing, copying, or any other viewing and sharing of this message, or any attachment, is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify me immediately by reply email and delete this message, along with any attachments from your computer. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schoharie and Otsego Counties does not share your information with third parties. Our emails are to keep you up to date with current events only. If you do not wish to receive our notices you can Unsubscribe from a specific list or in full.