In this issue:

Remote PSA Grower Training

Local Food Business & Share Grounds Webinars

CAFF Farmer Class Series

Free Farm Business Boot Camp
From our team to yours:

We wish you all the best in 2021!
Produce Safety Grower Training opportunity of 2021!👨🏽‍🌾👩🏽‍🌾
Registration for the February training closes Tuesday, February 3rd!
Registration for the March/April training closes Wednesday, 24th!
Sign up now!!


First Remote PSA Grower Trainings of the Year:


The training will be split into two days and will take place from 8:00 am to
12:30 pm both days. This training will be conducted live through Zoom.
Who should attend:
Anyone who grows, harvests, packs and handles fresh fruits and vegetables. Registration is limited to 20 participants. Sign up soon to reserve your spot.
Why you should attend:
On-farm food safety practices are vital in the produce industry. Many farms are now required to comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule. This training will educate growers on the Produce Safety Rule. Upon completion of this training, participants receive a certificate satisfying the requirement 112.22(c) in the Produce Safety Rule.
What is required to receive a certificate:
You must attend both days of the training. Additionally, you must have the following:
  • Internet access
  • Zoom Video Conferencing software*
  • Web camera
  • Microphone
When is the registration deadline:
Registration closes at 11:59 pm on February 3rd for the February training.
Registration closes at 11:59 pm on March 24th for the March/April training.

Training materials will be mailed to your residence. Registration closes seven days before the training to accommodate ordering materials and mailing them to you.
*Once you receive the registration link, you will be prompted to download the free Zoom software. You do not have to create an account to participate.

**Participant attendance and engagement will be monitored. Participants are only eligible for a PSA/AFDO Certificate of Course Completion if they are present for all modules of the course and have the physical training manual with them for the training**
Local Food Business & Share Grounds Webinars
Two additional Local Food Business & Share Grounds webinars were released last week:

  • Markets for Food Products and Produce
  • Trends in Value Added Food

These webinar series provide valuable information for individuals interested in starting a food business in Arkansas and understanding how to successfully develop a food product in a certified food manufacturing kitchen. 
Newly released webinars can be found below and also on our new webinars webpage and on our YouTube playlist for all things local, regional and safe foods. 
Markets for Food Products and Produce
Julia Fryer | Cooperative Extension Service
Trends in Value Added Food
Angela Gardner | Cooperative Extension Service
Center for Arkansas Farms and Food
Farmer Class Series
The Center for Arkansas Farms and Food (CAFF) in conjunction with their On-Farm Apprenticeship program are offering a beginning farmer class series. These classes are open to the public, and each class is offered independently for $10/class. Production classes are focused on specialty crop production but the business classes are applicable to all agricultural systems. Classes are held virtually on Zoom on Tuesday and Thursday evenings through February, from 6-8:30 pm. For more information visit their webpage and their Facebook page.
Free Farm Business Boot Camp
The Food Finance Institute (FFI) and the Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC) are hosting a free Farm Business Boot Camp for diversified farm businesses. The Boot Camp will combine training, one-on-one consulting, and networking. This 4-day Boot Camp is divided in two parts, one session on February 3rd and 4th and the second session on March 9th and 10th. For more information visit this webpage.
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