Produce safety rule training sessions set for Johnson, Marion counties in May
April 16, 2018
By Mary Hightower
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast facts
- Extension Service to help growers to understand, comply with new produce safety rules
- Two training sessions set for May
- Produce Safety rule trainings to be held at Clarksville and Marion County Fairgrounds
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LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas fruit and vegetable growers will have two opportunities in May to attend training to comply with the new produce safety rule under Food Safety Modernization Act.
- May 1, CLARKSVILLE -- 8 a.m.-5 p.m. - Fruit Research Station, 1749 State Hwy 818.
- May 22, SUMMIT – 8 a.m.-5 p.m. – Marion County Fairgrounds-Community Building.
The act, known as FSMA, meant to strengthen safeguards in the U.S. food supply. The Cooperative Extension Service, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, will be helping Arkansas farmers obtain needed certification. The training is conducted by Amanda Perez, DrPh, assistant professor for Agriculture and Natural Resources, for the Division of Agriculture, and team members, Josh Hardin, extension program associate; Ryan Neal, Benton County extension agent and Luke Freeman of the National Center for Appropriate Technology.
The daylong trainings are a collaboration between the Division of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension Service, the Arkansas Agriculture Department and the National Center for Appropriate Technology.
A survey is available to help producers and processors determine how their farms will be affected by the Produce Safety Rule. Visit the website to complete the survey or for more information about the Produce Safety Rule, contact Amanda Perez at aperez@uada.edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uada.edu