| Navigating the USDA Good Agricultural Practices Audit |
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North Carolina State University and North Carolina Cooperative Extension are partnering with the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA) to deliver workshops across the state with the aim of providing farmers with the tools to reduce food safety risks and meet market requirements.
Navigating the USDA GAP Audit will address how local farmers can achieve USDA Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) certification, provide information on risks associated with specific GAPs requirements, and outline logistics for preparing and scheduling a GAPs audit. The USDA GAPs certification program is an independent audit of produce suppliers that focuses on best agricultural practices to verify that fruits and vegetables are produced, packed, handled and stored in the safest manner possible to minimize risks of microbial food safety hazards. This workshop will focus on the General Section, Part One: Farm Review, and Part Two: Field Harvest and Field Packing Activities of the USDA GAP Audit.
This workshop will combine classroom and on-farm instruction and will focus on prevention and risk identification across all commodities from farm to fork. Wholesalers, community supported agriculture (CSA), educational institutions and retail establishments increasingly want to know what risk-reduction practices are in place on the farm. Participants will receive a certificate of attendance that fulfills a portion of the eligibility requirements to receive up to $600 in GAPs Cost Share assistance from CFSA.
Navigating the USDA GAP Audit
Date: Thursday, April 3, 2014
Time: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: Cleveland County Extension Center, 130 S Post Rd Suite 1, Shelby, NC 28152
To register, contact Daniel Shires at (704) 482-4365 or dlshires@ncsu.edu by March 31, 2014.
Portions of the workshop will take place outside. Please wear comfortable walking shoes, bring a water bottle, and appropriate weather gear. The workshop will take place rain or shine.
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