FDA's Proposed Produce Safety Rules Webinar

Wesley L. Kline

The USDA invites you to take part on February 7th, 2:30-3:30 p.m., in a free, interactive webinar on the Food and Drug Administration's proposed safety rules.  While the USDA has no formal role in the development or implementation of the proposed rules for the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, the agency’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Fruit and Vegetable Program  is hosting the webinar as a service to the produce industry.

Blueberry Food Safety Training

-Wes Kline
Up-to-date blueberry food safety information will be available at this training on February 20th, 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the Marucci Center for Blueberry & Cranberry Research, 125 a Lake Oswego, Chatsworth.  Questions or to register call 609-726-1590 x4410.  Cost of training:  $25 includes lunch.  Topics of interest: Food safety modernization act; worker hygiene; harmonized food safety standards; USDA Verification Audit and sanitation in the packing house.

Food Safety & Harmonized Audit Training

-Wes Kline
Obtain up-to-date information at the Food Safety & Harmonized Audit Training on March 1st at the RCE Cumberland County office, 291 Morton Avenue, Rosenhayn.  $25 includes lunch and materials; 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.  To register call 856-451-2800 x1

Good Agricultural Practices and Food Safety

-Wes Kline
NOFA is sponsoring two food safety trainings:  February 11th and February 19th.  Both classes will be held at the RCE Mercer County office, 930 Spruce St., Trenton, NJ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm.  $25 for NOFA members/$30 for non-members.  Questions?  call 908-371-1111 x4 and visit:  Farm Food Safety: What Every Farmer Needs to Know to register for the classes.
http://www.nofanj.org/programs_foodsafety.htm

Food Safety & Audit Training

-Wes Kline
Visit the 2013 Ag Convention & Trade Show for the next Food Safety & Audit Training on February 7th, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.  Cost included in the convention fees.  Topics covered:  Food Safety Modernization Act Proposed Rules, Harmonized Food Safety Standards, How to develop a food safety plan for your operation and risk assessment.

Agritourism Risk Management Workshop

-Michelle Infante-Casella
Rutgers NJAES Agritourism Working Group presents:

Agritourism Risk Management Workshop 
Date: Monday, February 25, 2013
Location: Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension
of Burlington County 
2 Academy Dr., Westampton, NJ

This workshop is being offered to go over some of the risk management issues that may come up on the farm when agritourism marketing is offered.

Hot Water Seed Sterilization Available at RCE Monmouth

-Bill Sciarappa

Eradicate bacterial plant pathogens before you plant your 2013 tomato and pepper seeds.
RCE Monmouth County will heat treat your seed at our office:
4000 Kozloski Rd., Freehold
Call to Schedule: Ag Assistant Vivian Quinn 732-431-7260 Ext 7273 or e-mail vquinn@aesop.rutgers.edu

Please indicate if you need hot pepper seed treated.
Please bring your seed (un-pelleted) in labeled packages as described below. Or, if you wish, we have the fiberglass material available at our office for you to prepare the seed packages. You may wait for the seeds or drop off and return on the same day for pick- up. Please make sure that all seed packs are labeled (use a water proof method) with the variety or other code that you can identify.
To package, you may use:

• Fiberglass screen envelopes (charcoal fiberglass screening) 
• Nylon stockings 
• Coffee filters, cotton bags, etc.