Iowa state offers safety skills for growers

By Andi Anderson

Starting in December, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Safe Produce Program will offer a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training for fruit and vegetable growers, with sessions extending through April 2025.

This training is designed to equip commercial fruit and vegetable farmers, home gardeners, and produce enthusiasts with essential knowledge about food safety practices, following standards outlined in the U.S. Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule and Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs).

The PSA Grower Training course is recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, making it suitable for commercial growers who need to meet FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements.

According to these regulations, each farm must have at least one supervisor or responsible party who has completed an FDA-approved food safety training. This course fulfills that requirement, ensuring that growers understand safe practices for producing and handling fruits and vegetables for commercial markets or public distribution.

For home gardeners and other produce enthusiasts, the training covers important produce safety guidelines. Participants will learn the practices necessary to ensure that fruits and vegetables grown and harvested in their gardens are safe for human consumption, benefiting both their own households and any community members with whom they share their produce.

The training fee for Iowa producers and their employees is $20 USD, while others can attend for $120 USD. This fee includes attendance, a PSA Grower Training manual, and a certificate of completion from the Association of Food and Drug Officials.

The training sessions will be available online via Zoom on Dec. 13, 2024, and Feb. 7, 2025, while in-person events will be held on March 13, 2025, at ISU Extension and Outreach’s Linn County office in Hiawatha, and April 4, 2025, at the Warren County office in Indianola.

To register, visit the Iowa State University Safe Produce website’s “Events” tab, select a preferred event, and complete the online form with a credit card payment.

Funded by the FDA’s State and Territory Cooperative Agreement to Enhance Produce Safety, this program is a valuable resource for all produce growers in Iowa looking to enhance their understanding of safe produce handling and farming practices.

Photo Credit: iowa-state-university