Source: NCSU COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, 5/11/22

Free Small Farm Fresh Produce Safety Workshops 5/25 and 6/6

The High Country’s small farms grow amazing fresh produce for local sales at regional farmers markets, for Community Supported Agriculture groups, the High Country Food Hub, and other retail markets. Small farms such as are common here generally do not need to pursue expensive GAP (Good Agricultural Practice) certification required by wholesale customers such as grocery store chains. Also, most regional small farms selling primarily to local retail customers are “Qualified Exempt” from many of the record-keeping and testing requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). This gives small farms the freedom to organize their own systems for harvests, washing, packing, and tracking their produce. In late May and early June, N.C. Cooperative Extension, Blue Ridge Women In Agriculture’s CRAFT program, and small-scale High Country vegetable producers team-up to offer two free Fresh Produce Safety Workshops for small farms and market gardeners.

For more information, click here.