Jan. updates from the Produce Safety Program

[Cortes, Alexandra (MDA)]

Hi,

 

Produce growers and produce grower supporters – please see the detailed roundup below and help us share the word about the 2021 Annual Grower Questionnaire, as well as a new mini-grant pilot program from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture Produce Safety Program. The mini-grant reimburses for past expenses associated with water testing for Generic E. coli. An optional informational webinar will be held on January 21 at 1:00pm.

 

There’s a week and a half left to sign up for the next Produce Safety Rule Grower Training too:

• 2/9 (Tuesday) training – registration closes 1/25/21
• 3/13 (Saturday) training – reg. closes 2/24/21

 

Questions about any of that? Please let us know.

 

Thanks,

Alex

 

 

From: Minnesota Department of Agriculture <MNagri...@public.govdelivery.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 14, 2021 5:41 AM
To: Cortes, Alexandra (MDA) <alexandr...@state.mn.us>
Subject: Jan. updates from the Produce Safety Program

 

2021 Grower Questionnaire, mini-grant pilot, trainings, & more

 

 

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. News from the MN Dept. of Agriculture Produce Safety Program January 14, 2021 2021 Annual Grower Questionnaire Available Have you completed the 2021 Annual Grower Questionnaire? If not, please do so here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/producesafety The questionnaire should be completed once per farm, per year. Your farm's status under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule may change annually due to business changes and inflation adjustment changes to sales cut-offs.  By completing the questionnaire you will: Help determine your current status under the rule AND receive official confirmation from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Produce Safety Program explaining how the rule applies to your operation. Help protect the production of local produce in Minnesota by prioritizing food safety and minimizing the risk of foodborne outbreaks. Assist the MDA in the development of programs and funding opportunities, like the pilot grant program described below, that respond to your interests and needs as a produce farmer. Look for our upcoming 2020 Produce Safety Program Report, which will share key information about the trends, needs, and economic contributions of Minnesota's produce farms based on responses from last year's questionnaire. New Grant Funding Available: Water Testing for Generic E. coli Did you purchase water testing for generic E. coli between September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2020? If so, you may be eligible for reimbursement of your expenses, up to $400, under the new Produce Safety Water Testing for Generic E. coli Mini-Grant pilot program. Applications are available on the MDA website and will be accepted through February 26 at 11:59 p.m. Additional information about the eligibility criteria is included as a part of the application. Webinar: A optional webinar will be held on Thursday, January 21 at 1:00 p.m. to review the requirements and application process for the pilot mini-grant program. The webinar will be recorded and posted to the website. Register for the webinar. A future, full-scale mini-grant program will provide financial support for water testing and on-farm food safety improvements, for expenses dating after September 30, 2020. This grant program will be offered in January 2022. More information will be available following the pilot program. FSMA Produce Safety Rule Grower Trainings FSMA Produce Safety Rule Grower Trainings have shifted online this winter due to COVID-19. This has meant the trainings gather growers from all across the state! Along with the University of Minnesota Extension, we are hosting two additional opportunities for remote English-language trainings this winter: Tuesday, February 9, 8:45am - 5:00pm Farmer Trainer: Sara George, D & S Gardens Saturday, March 13, 8:45am - 5:00pm Farmer Trainers: Jane Jewett, WillowSedge Farm and David Abazs, Round River Farm and Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP) Learn more about the trainings and register on our website. Upcoming Virtual Conferences and Events Produce Safety Program staff will be participating in several of the following virtual events and conferences. This list also includes events organized by other divisions of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Do you have an event you'd like us to participate in? Let us know! Thursdays in January  - Minnesota Organic Conference 1/14 - 1/15 - Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Convention 1/29 - 1/30 - Emerging Farmers Conference 2/12 - MDA Emerging Farmers' Working Group meeting (open to the public) Recent Event Recordings: 12/4/20 - Minnesota Farmers' Market Association Annual Conference  Produce Safety Program staff presented about the Produce Safety Rule and program updates, for a primary audience of market managers. View the recording. 12/9/20 - Twin Cities Metro Growers Network meeting Various MDA staff, including from the Produce Safety Program, presented about programs and opportunities available to metro area growers. View the recording. Contact Us Minnesota Department of Agriculture Produce Safety Program 651-539-3648 Got a newsletter suggestion? Email Alexandra Cortes. Funding for this publication was made possible, in part, by the Food and Drug Administration through grant PAR-16-137. The views expressed in written materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does any mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organization imply endorsement by the United States Government.

 

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