Minnesota Ag Connection - GAPs Farm Food Safety Workshop at Sprout in Little Falls

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GAPs Farm Food Safety Workshop at Sprout in Little Falls
Minnesota Ag Connection - 09/20/2017

Growers are invited to learn how Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) can improve the quality and safety of their product and help access new markets on Oct. 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Sprout Growers & Makers Marketplace (609 13th Ave NE, Door 8, Little Falls).

While this workshop will not result in farms being "GAP certified", it will help develop a farm's food safety program and plan that will help to access an audit if desired. Many wholesale buyers and institutions are increasingly requiring GAP audits, or at the minimum a food safety plan. Farmers can stay ahead of the curve and learn these important concepts to protect their farm and customers, and to help their farm grow.

By the end of this workshop, growers will:

- Understand microbial risks associated with the growing

- Learn harvest, washing and packing of fresh fruit and vegetables

- Learn about buyer requirements and expectations for food safety

- Learn about recent food safety regulations that may impact your farm

- Practice writing food safety SOPs and risk assessment statements that are helpful for their farm, food safety plan, and are required for a GAPs audit.

Register by October 9th at: http://z.umn.edu/2017gaps. The workshop is free and lunch with local foods provided. Space is limited. More details will be sent after registration.

For more information: UMN On Farm GAPs Education program: http://safety.cfans.umn.edu/

The workshop is made possible thanks to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, Artplace America, and Region Five Development Commission.

Additional workshops for 2018 are being planned now. The workshops are co-created with artists, growers, and local experts; prospective participants can request the type of education needed to build their businesses via a short online survey (link) on the Sprout website. Community participation, as central to placemaking efforts, is encouraged throughout the planning process to ensure workshops cater to their specific needs in Central Minnesota. Workshop goals are to increase access to technical assistance and resources for growers and makers to build their business capacity and profitability; connect and equip local artists to obtain leadership roles that can lead to further placemaking in the region and commissioned work opportunities; develop deeper understanding of good farming practices; fuel succession planning that increases economic prosperity, etc. Throughout the next three years, Sprout will host 14 leadership and business classes and trainings funded by an ArtPlace America creative placemaking grant awarded to Region Five Development Commission.

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