The course will cover basic produce safety; worker health, hygiene, and training; soil amendments; wildlife, domesticated animals, and land use; agricultural water (both production and postharvest); postharvest handling and sanitation; and developing a farm food safety plan. As a participant you can expected to gain a basic understanding of: microorganisms relevant to produce safety and where they may be found on the farm; how to identify microbial risks, practices that reduce risks; how to begin implementing produce safety practices on the farm; parts of a farm food safety plan and how to begin writing one; and requirements in the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and how to meet them. There will be time for questions and discussion, so participants should come prepared to share their experiences and produce safety questions.

The PSA Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement outlined in § 112.22(c) which states 'At least one supervisor or responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration.'

To receive a completion certificate, a participant must be present for the entire training and submit the appropriate paperwork to their trainer at the end of the course.

Registrations to be submitted by April 12, 2019 to:
Email: mfout@agri.ohio.gov
Fax: (614) 644-0720
Mail: Ohio Department of Agriculture
Division of Food Safety – ATTN: Matt Fout
8995 E Main St
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068

Location:
Perry Local Library Meeting Room
3753 Main Street
Perry, OH 44081

Contact:
Matt Fout / (614)600-4272 /

https://agri.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/oda/divisions/food-safety/news-and-events/Produce-Safety-Grower

Come ready to learn how to grow fruits and vegetables in a raised wood bed. A wood raised garden bed, filled with a mixture of soil and compost, is a convenient and effective way for home gardeners to grow fresh healthy food. Although there are other techniques and bed designs that are appropriate for the home gardener, these designs borrow from traditional market gardening techniques and Permaculture practices, and will be discussed in the class.

During the class construction of a 4×8 foot cedar bed will be demonstrated. Additional topics will include choosing the right lumber and soil mix for the garden bed as well as building healthy soil using compost and green manure crops. The class is accompanied by an instructional handout.

Cost: $20 but Turner Farm's is offering past participants $5 off admission for each class. Simply enter the code word "garden" at checkout!

Location:
Turner Farm
7400 Given Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45243

Contact:
Peter Huttinger / 513-328-0100 /

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/turnerfarm/225721

Butterflies need your help! Many butterfly habitats have been lost to human activities, such as home construction, industrial landscaping and conventional farming. Planting a butterfly garden is an easy way to help butterflies and to attract them to your home. This class will cover the selection of nectar plants to attract adult butterflies, selection of host plants for specific native butterflies, other butterfly needs and how to become a certified monarch waystation.

The cost of the class includes a four-pack of Milkweed to get your garden started.

Cost: $20 but Turner Farm's is offering past participants $5 off admission for each class. Simply enter the code word "garden" at checkout!

Location:
Turner Farm
7400 Given Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45243

Contact:
Peter Huttinger / 513-328-0100 /

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/turnerfarm/229671

Access to affordable and productive land is the biggest barrier new farmers face. At the same time, more than 100 million acres of U.S. farmland will change hands in the next few years. Without a plan to ensure Ohio's farmland stays in production, it could be lost to development and the beginning farmers who need it.

That's why we need your help! Join OEFFA staff and special guests in talking to the Ohio legislature about the importance of beginning farmers being able to access land.

Creating incentives for landowners to sell or rent to beginning farmers will create more opportunity for the next generation, and reward retiring farmers who keep their land in agricultural production. The Ohio Family Farm ReGeneration Act (FFRGA) establishes a tax credit for owners of agricultural assets; any person who sells or rents agricultural assets to abeginning farmers receives an income and franchise tax credit. To pass the FFRGA, we need you—our members—to help us make the case at the Statehouse.

To make this a positive and empowering experience for all participants, OEFFA will provide the resources, training, and information you need to advocate effectively. As part of the training, Representative David Leland (D-Columbus) will share experience-based strategies for developing productive relationships with representatives, and OEFFA staff will lead role playing excercises.

Lunch will be provided. There is no cost to attend, but space is limited. Please register early!

Location:
Trinity Episcopal Church
125 E. Broad St.
Columbus, OH 43215

Contact:
Amalie Lipstreu / (614) 421-2022 /

http://www.oeffa.org/q/2019lobbyday