WATERBORO — University of Maine Cooperative Extension will offer the Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) grower training in three counties beginning Nov. 30.

The trainers will spend approximately seven hours of instruction time covering content contained in these seven modules:

• Introduction to Produce Safety;

• Worker, Health, Hygiene, and Training;

• Soil Amendments;

• Wildlife, Domesticated Animals, and Land Use;

• Agricultural Water (Par I: Production Water; Part II: Postharvest Water);

• Postharvest Handling and Sanitation; and

• How to Develop a Farm Food Safety Plan.

In addition to learning about produce safety best practices, key parts of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements are outlined within each module. There will be time for questions and discussion, so participants should come prepared to share their experiences and produce safety questions.

Dates vary; all trainings held 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The training is open to Maine residents only.

The course provides a foundation for farm food safety best practices and coordinated management information, Food Safety Modernization Act requirements, and details on developing a farm food safety plan.

The workshops are offered in collaboration with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, and AgMatters LLC.

Nov. 30 (snow date Dec. 7) — UMaine Extension Androscoggin-Sagadahoc Counties, 24 Main St., Lisbon Falls. Register online by Nov. 23.

Jan. 8 (snow date Jan. 11) — UMaine Extension Penobscot County, 307 Maine Ave., Bangor. Register online by Jan. 7.

Feb. 8 (snow date Feb. 15) — Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, 294 Crosby Brook Road: Unity. Register online by Feb. 1.

The $20 fee includes a training manual, PSA course completion certificate, lunch and snacks. Enrollment is limited to 28 attendees per location. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Theresa Tilton at 207-942-7396 or theresa.tilton@maine.edu.

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