GAPs/GHPs Training- March 18, 2016 (Pittsboro, MS)

Good Agricultural and Handling Practices for Producers of Fresh Fruits, Vegetables, and Nuts Training-   A Certificate Program

When: March 18, 2016

Time:  9:30 am-12:00 pm

Where: Calhoun County Extension Office, 121 Parker St., Pittsboro, MS

The Good Agricultural (GAPs) and Handling (GHPs) Practices Training is a 3.5 hour workshop designed to teach the basics of GAPs for growing and handling safe foods in Mississippi. The training will be offered on March 18 from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm. The meeting will be held at the Calhoun County Extension Office (121 Parker St., Pittsboro, MS 38951). This training is a requisite for you to have your farm/packing facility certified by USDA-AMS GAPs. For preregistration and further info/directions contact Dr. Stephen Meyers: Office: (662) 489-4621, Fax: (662) 489-6011 or stephen.meyers@msstate.edu

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

Agenda:

9:15 am                       Registration

9:30 am                       Introduction- What are GAPs/GHPs/Pre-evaluation

9:45 am                       Good Agricultural Practices

• Water quality
• Soil amendments (based on research)
• Animal intrusion
• Worker health and hygiene
• Other possible sources

10:45 am         Good Handling Practices: Harvest and Post-harvest

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

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

11:15 am         Ins and Outs of the USDA GAPs Certification Program, MDAC’s Role and Support

11:45 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