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Upcoming GAPs and FSMA trainings in 2026 - Registration is open!

 -Annalisa Hultberg, Extension Educator food safety 

Food safety is a critical part of all produce farm operations. One of the best ways to protect your customers and prevent your business from being involved in a foodborne illness outbreak is to maintain good food safety practices on your farm and keep basic food safety records. Learning about Good Agricultural Practices and current food safety laws are a great way to build your farm's plan for preventing foodborne illness from spreading from food that you grow and sell.  One great way to do that is to attend a GAPs or FSMA training course. 

Note: All of these courses are accepted as documentation of food safety training for the Produce Safety Mini Grant from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, which will open later this winter.


FSMA Produce Safety Rule Trainings

If your farm is fully covered by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, at least one supervisor or responsible party from your farm must attend a training course that uses FDA-approved curriculum (read more here to learn whether or not your farm is fully covered by the Produce Safety Rule). This course meets the training requirement.

This course is mandatory for farms covered by the Produce Safety Rule, but all growers interested in learning about produce safety are encouraged to attend. The course covers best practices over broad range of produce safety topic areas, including worker health and hygiene, crop inputs (soil amendments), domestic and wild animals, water use and testing for pre- and post-harvest operations, such as irrigation and washing.

  • March 4: In-person, University of Minnesota Extension Regional Office, St. Cloud 3601 18th St 8:30am - 5:00pm (lunch included)
  • March 11: Virtual: 8:30am - 5:00pm

Cost: $35. Includes training materials (mailed in advance for virtual training) and a certificate of course attendance.

Register: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/food-feed/training-opportunities-farm-readiness-reviews

Participants receive a certificate of completion issued by the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO). The AFDO certificate is valid for life.  The course is taught by staff from MDA Produce Safety Program, UMN Extension and trained farmer trainers. 

GAPs Food Safety Trainings

UMN Extension is offering a number of GAPs food safety training for fruit and vegetable farmers this winter. This course provides science-based recommendations farmers can use to reduce food safety risks during production, washing, packing, storage and transport of fresh produce. These trainings are taught by UMN Extension and experienced farmer trainers and include interactive and photo-filled activities and a great chance to connect with other growers. 


Topics will include:

  • Food safety requirements to sell into new markets - what is a GAP audit, food safety plan templates and recordkeeping templates to help document your practices 

  • Compost/manure use, water testing, safely washing vegetables, sanitizers, low-cost cooler options including Cool-Bots, packing area designs and ideas, managing wildlife and pets, low-cost handwashing stands, and more

  • Plenty of time for questions and discussion 


Cost: $15 per farm, includes certificate of attendance for all participants. Scholarships are available to cover the cost. Please email jenri001@umn.edu. One participant at each training will win a set of handwashing stand supplies! Register early as the courses will close at capacity. 


Dates:




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