GAPs/GHPs Training- March 4th, Pittsboro, MS

Good Agricultural and Handling Practices for Producers of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables and Nuts Training-   A certificate program

When: March 4, 2015 (Wednesday)

Time:  9:00 A.M. – 12:00 noon

Where: Calhoun County Extension Office

   121 Parker St., Pittsboro, MS 38951

 The Good Agricultural (GAPs) and Handling (GHPs) Practices Training is a workshop designed to teach the basics of GAPs for growing and handling safe foods in Mississippi.  The training will be offered on March 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.  The meeting will be held at the MSU-Calhoun County Extension Office in Pittsboro, MS.  This training is a requisite for produce growers/packers to have their farm/packing facility certified by USDA-AMS GAPs. Registration is Free.  Preregistration is preferred, but not required.

For preregistration and further info/directions contact:

Dr. Stephen Meyers, Sweetpotato Extension Specialist

Office: (662)489-4621, Cell: (662)769-9917; Fax: (662)489-6011; Email: stephen.meyers@msstate.edu

This training is supported by a grant from the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) from the USDA. In addition, the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce is now offering a cost-share program for Mississippi farmers to provide financial assistance to cover the cost of certification. More information on this at:

http://www.mdac.ms.gov/bureaus-departments/market-development/gapghp-certification-cost-share-program/

Agenda:

9:00 am                       Registration

9:10 am                       Introduction- What are GAPs/GHPs/Pre-evaluation

9:20 am                       Good Agricultural Practices

• Water quality
• Soil amendments
• Animal intrusion
• Worker health and hygiene
• Other possible sources

10:15 am         Good Handling Practices: Harvest and Post-harvest

• Worker health and hygiene
• Equipment, tools
• Transportation
• Temperature management

10:45 am         Ins and Outs of the USDA GAPs Certification Program

New Food Safety Rule/FSMA- will it affect me and how?

11:00 am         MDAC’s Role and Support

11:30 am         Developing a Food Safety Plan/Post evaluation

Instructors:

Dr. Juan L. Silva, Professor

Department of Food Science, Nutrition

and Health Promotion

Mississippi State University

Fax: 662-325-8728

Email: jls46@msstate.edu

Mr. Kevin Riggin

Mississippi Department of Agriculture & Commerce

Email: kevin@mdac.ms.gov