Fruit and Vegetable News

Join UMN Extension and Land Stewardship Project for a series of online forums this winter to address resiliency on our farms.  From the changing climate to the external and internal pressures impacting our farms, our strength lies in coming together collectively to support one another and to provide inspiration for addressing these challenges.       We will be bringing farmers together to collectively increase our resiliency through a series of 4 online forums this winter.  The format will include a video interview with farmers using innovative strategies to improve their farm resilience followed by a live Q&A.  There will also be an opportunity for peer-to-peer dialog.  Please join us! List of events:  January 13, 12:00-1:30pm: Time and people management with Julie Arnold of Shepherd Moon Farm. Register here .  January 27 , 7:00-8:30pm: Irrigation systems with Andrew Ehrmann of Spring Wind Farm. Register here.  February 10 , 12:00-1:30pm: Incubating beginning farmer

Annalisa Hultberg, Extension Educator, food safety Food safety training with farmer trainers Are you looking to sell your product to a farm to school program, wholesale, or other market that is looking for a food safety audit or verification? Are you looking to improve the efficiency of your operation, product quality and to protect your farm and customers?  While some of the largest wholesale markets require a GAP audit that you pay for, many farm to school programs and other buyers will accept an updated farm food safety plan. Attend a GAPs training this winter to update your farm's food safety plan, learn about current food safety recommendations and best practices, research and regulation. If you do need a GAP audit for your farm, a food safety training is the first step in preparing.  Here are options for winter food safety training from UMN Extension. All trainings are led by UMN staff and trained experienced farmers.  GAPs Half-Day Training Course This 3.5-hour online course