Local Food Training and Tours

The North Dakota Department of Agriculture is hosting an FREE online Good Agriculture Practices Training, with the help of the North Dakota State University and University of Minnesota, Feb. 21, 2023 from 1-4 pm.

This science-based training keeps producers up-to-date with current agriculture practices that help protect the producer's farm and their customers.  Participants will learn practices that reduce contamination from pathogens like Salmonella. It will also help farms prepare a food safety plan and pass a GAP audit for their farm. The course is open to all North Dakota and Minnesota producers, but fresh produce farms are strongly encouraged to attend. 

Please note taking this course will not result in your farm being "GAPs Certified." GAP certification is done by a third party (e.g. USDA, Primus, Global GAP) and involves the successful completion of an on-farm audit. 

NDDA will be mailing course materials to those registered. Please include your full mailing address on the registration.

Participants will receive a Zoom link to the training prior to the event. Please watch your e-mail for the invite. 

If you have questions, contact Julie Garden-Robinson through NDSU at 701-231-7187.

Register for the course at https://forms.office.com/g/7U7QEdG3mt

The North Dakota Department of Agriculture has scheduled free training sessions for produce growers across the state.

“Fruit and vegetable growers and others interested in learning about produce safety, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), and co-management of natural resources and food safety should attend,” Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said. “Attending a session will satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement that requires at least one supervisor or responsible party on a farm to complete food safety training recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration.”

The sessions will be held Thursday, March 30, 2023 at the Radisson

Topics to be covered include:

• Introduction to produce safety

• Worker health, hygiene and training

• Soil amendments

• Wildlife, domesticated animals and land use

• Agricultural water

• Postharvest handling and sanitation

• 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 topic. There will be time for questions and discussion, so participants should come prepared to share their experiences and produce safety questions.

The sessions are a full day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with registration starting at 8:30 a.m. There will be a one-hour break for attendees to leave for lunch.

To ask questions about the sessions or the FSMA Produce Safety Rule, please contact Kara Haff, Ag Marketing & Business Development Coordinator, at 701-328-2308 or khaff@nd.gov.

Register for the course at https://forms.office.com/g/F6r4nnnKEt.