Food Safety Education and Outreach Programming for Plain Growers

Our goal is to address existing gaps in knowledge and resources by providing Plain growers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan and surrounding states with training opportunities to improve the safety of fresh produce and meet new fresh produce safety regulations. Our objectives are to 1) develop GAPs trainings that address the unique farming and handling practices and communication requirements of Plain growers in the region and 2) pilot Plain grower GAPs trainings with distinct Plain settlements (orders) in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan, 3) disseminate materials to Michigan and Pennsylvania extension network and other states with Plain grower populations through North Central Region Center for FSMA Training, Extension and Technical Assistance and 4) host a Project Director's Meeting to communicate and network with other regional Project Directors to reduce redundancy across the USDA-NIFA Food Safety Outreach Program.