Understanding Good Agricultural Practices - Jan 26

The 2012 Growing Growers Workshop Series will kick off with "Understanding Good Agricultural Practices" on January 26. Contact the Platte County MU Extension Office to register.  The workshop fee is $15/person and is due prior to the registration deadline on January 20.

The Platte County University of Missouri Extension Center is located at 11724 NW Plaza Circle, Kansas City, MO 64153. The workshop will take place January 26, 2012 from 3:30-6:00 pm.

Increasingly, fresh fruit and vegetable producers are being asked whether or not they have a food safety plan on their farm to reduce the threat of food borne illness in the food supply. Additionally, the Food Safety Modernization Act may require some producers to certify their operations by seeking third-party audits of their food safety plans. This workshop will help producers understand what Good Agricultural Practices really are, what it takes to prepare for an audit, and how to develop an on-farm food safety plan.

Agenda
3:30-4:30 An Introduction to Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) with Jennifer Smith, K-State Research & Extension Horticulture Agent, Douglas County - Find out how water management, employee activity, manure management, and post-harvest handling can affect the potential of microbial contamination of food.

4:30-5:00 Implementing GAPs on the Farm with Marlin Bates, University of Missouri Extension Horticulture Specialist, West-Central MO - You don't have to seek certification to implement Gaps on your farm. Whether or not you intend to seek certification, documentation will play a big role in implementing GAPs. We'll discuss common policies and standard operating procedures for the farm.

5:00-5:15 Break

5:15-6:00 The Food Safety Plan with Marlin Bates, University of Missouri Extension Horticulture Specialist, West-Central MO - We'll review some resources and look at common structures of food safety plans.