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The Farm Safety Working Group (FSWG) is an informal collaboration between state agencies, higher education institutions, agriculture membership organizations, farm safety advocates, private sector companies, and labor and safety organizations focused on improving safety in agriculture. The FSWG’s purpose is to provide a forum to discuss safety issues in agriculture, connect groups and organizations who are working on farm safety, and organize a collective effort to improve agricultural safety.

Contact us for meeting details.

The Governor's Food Safety and Defense Task Force has continuously met since 1990 to discuss issues affecting Minnesota's food system. The Task Force is composed of sixteen members, nine of whom are appointed by the Governor's office, representing food regulatory agencies, agricultural industries, food related non-profit associations, and the University of Minnesota. Meetings of the Task Force are held every other month and are open to anyone interested. 

Due to precautions against the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), and in conformance with Minnesota Statues Section 13D.021, upcoming meetings of the FSDTF have been scheduled and will be changed from in-person meetings to video-conference meetings with a phone-in option. 

Attend the January 18th meeting using Microsoft Teams

Or you can call in via audio conference (sorry, this is not a toll-free line) by calling: +1-651-395-7448

Phone Conference ID: 125 464 889#

Individuals with a disability who need reasonable accommodation to participate in this event please contact Natasha Hedin at 612-247-5888 or through the Minnesota Relay Service at 711 as soon as possible.

The Food Innovation Team (FIT) was created as a subcommittee of the Minnesota Food Safety and Defense Task Force to help answer questions and assist food business owners in navigating Minnesota’s food licensing and regulatory environment.  Most food business owners receive a license to do business from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), or their delegated agencies with relative ease. However, some food business owners may encounter challenges in licensing due to a number of factors that may not easily be resolved without assistance. When this happens food business owners are encouraged to work with the FIT to help answer their questions and create a path forward for their licensing needs. FIT meetings are held every other month and are open to anyone interested.

Due to precautions against the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), and in conformance with Minnesota Statues Section 13D.021, upcoming meetings of the FIT have been scheduled and will be changed from in-person meetings to video-conference meetings with a phone-in option.

Join the January 18th meeting using Microsoft Teams

Or you can call in via audio conference (sorry, this is not a toll-free line) by calling:
+1-651-395-7448

Access code: 358 081 862#

Individuals with a disability who need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event please contact Natasha Hedin at 612-247-5888 or through the Minnesota Relay Service at 711 as soon as possible.

This training is being offered remotely, via Zoom. In order to participate, individuals must have a web-cam, two-way audio (speakers & microphone), reliable internet, and will be required to have the web-cam on during the full course of the training (8:45am - 5:00pm). This is to verify participants' presence and participation.

Who should attend?

This one-day training course is for produce growers. If your farm is not excluded or exempt from the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, at least one responsible party from your farm must complete a training that uses FDA-recognized curriculum or equivalent. This course meets those requirements. All produce growers interested in learning about produce safety, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and the FSMA Produce Safety Rule are welcome to attend. Contact the MDA Produce Safety Program to learn if your farm is covered by the rule.

What to Expect at the FSMA Produce Safety Rule Training Course

The training will consist of both practical guidance for implementing Good Agricultural Practices as well as the requirements of FSMA Produce Safety Rule. Key Topics:

• Microorganisms relevant to produce safety and where they may be on the farm
• Practices that reduce risks, and practical methods to implement these practices on the farm
• Parts of the farm food safety plan and how to begin writing one
• Requirements of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and information to help you meet them
• Your questions on the rule and how it is being implemented in Minnesota

Registration

Registration includes the training materials (mailed to you in advance) and a Certificate of Course Attendance. Participation for the entire training is required to receive the certificate. Check-in opens at 8:45am, training will begin at 9:00am and end at 5:00pm. Class sizes are limited and on a first-come, first serve basis. For mailing purposes, we are only accepting registrations for attendees within the continental US.