TEACHING FARMERS TO BUILD THEIR OWN FOOD SAFETY MANUAL

Proposed by: Elena Toro Rogers

Presenters: Toro, E. M., Extension Agent I, University of Florida, Lake City, FL 32060
Fenneman, D.K., Extension Agent I, University of Florida, Madison, FL 32340
Hochmuth, R.C., Multi-County Agent, University of Florida, Live Oak, FL 32060

As increasing pressure from buyers on farmers emerged, small and mid-sized farmers in Florida were becoming aware of the need to develop farm food safety plans. Most small farms do not have the financial capacity to hire personnel to develop and implement these plans and asked for help from Extension Agents. The objectives were1) develop a training program to develop food safety plans and, 2) implement an In-Service training for Extension agents. Activities included securing funding, developing curricula and compiling resources, delivering workshops to farmers and Extension agents and providing other educational opportunities. Teaching methods included classroom instruction and experiential learning via farm tours and follow-up farm visits to reinforce the concepts learned. A total of 14 workshops to 185 producers and packers have been offered in the last 3 years. Overall, the evaluations showed the farmers valued the training, viewed food safety plans as very important and plan to implement a food safety program on their farm. Nearly half indicated they plan to have a third party audit, customer, or regulatory audit conducted. These trainings have saved farmers an estimated $460,000 in fees that would have been paid to hire a consultant to prepare for an audit. The success and impact of this program has been two-fold; more agents now have the expertise and skill to teach farm food safety reaching many more farmers and secondly well over 150 farmers have developed plans. The program has garnered great respect and recognition statewide from agricultural industry leaders in Florida.

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