Colorado Produce Safety News
August 2021
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Hello everyone! It is hard to believe it is the end of August already but I am sure things have not slowed down for any of you. This month we have a quick video to answer your OFRR questions, we are releasing our "Assessing Animal Activity in the Field" in Spanish, and there are several announcements from CDA including their new staff member and the GAP Audit cost-share program information.
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|| Resources & Information ||
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Still trying to decide if you want an On-Farm Readiness Review?
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Watch this 45 second video to learn more about the visits.
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Why join our social media?
Food safety is a priority for you, so we invite you to like and follow the Colorado Produce Safety Collaborative Facebook and Instagram pages and get current information about what is happening with produce safety in Colorado. Like and follow us to learn about upcoming classes, announcements regarding the Food Safety Modernization Act - Produce Safety Rule, and most importantly to discover resources and tools that will benefit you.
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Pre-harvest assessment resource now available in English and Spanish
Identifying animal activity in the field is an important step to reducing your food safety risks. We have created a decision tree that can help you determine what to look for, what the risk level is, and what action to take based on those risks. Use this resource to train employees or hang it in a visible place as a reminder!
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|| Education & Training ||
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Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course
Colorado does not have any courses scheduled until Fall 2021 but there are other virtual options available.
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Produce Safety Alliance Online Training
Offered by the Produce Safety Alliance as a three-week course that can be completed at your own pace. The online course is expected to take 15-30 hours for successful completion.
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Remote Delivery Course
The same course CSU Extension has been offering but taught by educators in other states in real time. Instructors use video conferencing software, such as Zoom or Webex. This is a temporary option that is being supported during the COVID-19 outbreak.
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Introducing the Produce Safety Rule Coordinator at the Colorado Department of Agriculture
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On Sept 1st, Sarah Musick will join Colorado’s Produce Safety program as the new Program Coordinator. Sarah’s new role will include staff training, outreach and communication to producers, and coordination of field inspections. Sarah will also be responsible for maintaining the list of covered farms and assisting farmers with the registration requirement.
Beginning Sept 1st you can reach Sarah at Sarah.Musick@state.co.us. You may also have a chance to meet Sarah in the field during a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training, when she travels with one of our inspectors, or if she participates in an On-Farm Readiness Review.
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Produce Safety Rule Farm Registration
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All farms that grow produce and have total produce sales of more than $28,075 over a 3-year rolling average are required by Colorado state statue to register their farm with the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Registration is free of cost and only takes a few minutes. Visit the Colorado Produce Safety Program to learn more about the program.
For more information or questions about registration please reach out to program staff at produce.safety@state.co.us or 303-869-9284.
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CDA Announces Cost Share Program for USDA GAP Auditees
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The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) Fruit and Vegetable Section has announced another year of funding to assist Colorado fruit and vegetable growers in obtaining USDA Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) audits. The cost-share incentive program is designed to encourage producers to undertake verification audits for the first time and help producers already participating in the program to continue.
The cost-share program applies to Colorado producers whose audits are conducted between July 1, 2021 and June 22, 2022. Existing auditees are eligible for reimbursement of one half of the audit cost up to $700.00. New auditees to the program are eligible for reimbursement of one half of the entire audit.
An application must be submitted to the Fruit and Vegetable Section office, with a copy of the audit certificate, the invoice(s) showing the cost of the audit, proof of payment and a completed W-9. Applications will be reimbursed in the order in which they are received, as long as funds remain available. Audits eligible for reimbursement include: Basic GAP/GHP, Produce GAP Harmonized, and Harmonized GAP Plus+.
For questions or more information contact Brian Pauley at brian.pauley@state.co.us or 719-852-4749.
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Have a produce safety question?
Submit your question or contact Cristy Dice: Cristy.L.Dice@colostate.edu
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Colorado’s Produce Safety Collaborative is part of the CSU Extension program and made up of 5 organizations collaborating to bring the most up-to-date produce safety information, training and education to Colorado’s produce growers and other industry stakeholders.
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Stay Connected
Find us on Facebook and Instagram and share! Stay up to date on produce safety information and what’s happening in Colorado.
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