By Scout Nelson
Dive into the world of value-added food production at upcoming workshop, designed for farmers and cottage food producers looking to enhance their offerings. This event, set for Saturday, February 17, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Central time at Pine River-Backus Schools, MN, offers a unique opportunity to learn the ins and outs of making and selling a wide range of food products directly from your home or farm.
Attendees will gain valuable insights at the Extension Food Systems Program booth during the Happy Dancing Turtle - Back To Basics Event. The focus will be on understanding the licensing exclusions and exemptions for farm and cottage food products, mastering recipe development, and ensuring food safety through practical pH and water activity testing.
Cindy Hale, a food safety Extension educator with a background in ecosystems and science education, will lead a workshop on empowering Minnesotans to take an active role in their local food system through safe and innovative food production. She is co-founder of Clover Valley Farms and brings a wealth of knowledge to the session.
The event is open to farmers, cottage food producers, small-scale food manufacturers, and anyone interested in the local food system.
Admission is free, and the vendor area is open to the public, offering a chance to meet Cindy Hale in person and have your food safety questions answered. Note that while the vendor area does not require registration, participation in workshops and other events does.
For those concerned about accessibility, the University of Minnesota Extension is committed to ensuring equal opportunity for all participants. For more information or to discuss specific needs, please contact Cindy Hale at cmhale@umn.edu or call 218-726-6478.
Don't miss this opportunity to broaden your product range, enhance food safety, and grow your business. Join us for a day of learning, networking, and innovation at Pine River, MN.
Photo Credit -gettyimages-valentinrussanov
Categories: Minnesota, Education, Rural Lifestyle