I hear, and I forget;
I see, and I remember;
I do, and I understand

--Old Chinese Proverb

The worksheets provided and writing tasks recommended as part of these trainings are designed to be effective learning aids to integrate the information into your farm systems.

 1. Please Prepare a Farm Map in Advance of the 1st Class 

Create a basic map of your farm. It can be a pen line drawing, copy of a survey, or a google image. Fields and buildings should be clearly indicated. Bring 3 copies.

• Download full instructions: Farm Maps--Field History And Assessment

2. Print These Templates To Use In the 1st Class

• F-1.1 Field and Land Risk Assessment
• F-1.1 Land-Use-History-and-Adjacent-Land-Risk-Assessment

3. Materials to Gather Before The First Class 

• 3 ring binder (for your food safety plan)
• 3 ring hole punch
• 3 ring binder separator tabs

4- FSMA Produce Rule Status

Knowing your farm's FSMA Produce Rule Status may be helpful to you in your decision making process. If you don't know your status, you can use this helpful flowchart: Interactive FSMA Produce Rule Flowchart || Carolina Farm Stewardship

1. exempt, or
2. qualified exempt, or
3. required to be in full compliance

Training Schedule

Attend the training from the largest screen you have. A phone size screen would be challenging to see images and critical documents.  

If you have access to two computers - you might want to attend the zoom from one and have the 2nd one open to download and write on online documents during class.

• • Monday, February 6      6-8 pm EST
  • Monday, February 13    6-8 pm EST
  • Monday, February 20    6-8 pm EST
  • Monday, February 27    6-8 pm EST
  • Monday, March 6,          6-8 pm EST
  • Monday, March 13         6-8 pm EST

The templates in this collection are samples that you can adapt to meet the specifics of your operation. Templates are not provided for every Harmonized GAP criteria. 

Print These Worksheets To Use In the 1st Session

• F-1.1 Field and Land Risk Assessment
• F-1.1 Land-Use-History-and-Adjacent-Land-Risk-Assessment

Powerpoints

• 1. FSIntroWriteYourPlan
• 2. Land Use

Suggested Work for This Week

Land Use Templates & Sample SOPs

• F-1. Sample Land Use Plan With SOPs
• F-1.1 Land Use Action Plan –Co-Management Guide
• F-1.3 Land Use-Log-Septic

Co-Management

• Wild Farm Alliance: Co-Managing Farm Stewardship with Food Safety GAPs and Conservation Practices
• Wild Farm Alliance: A Farmers Guide To Food Safety And Consecration

The templates in this collection are samples that you can adapt to meet the specifics of your operation. Templates are not provided for every Harmonized GAP criteria. 

Print These Worksheets For Use In Class

• General Information
• Write a Standard Operating Procedure
• Health and Hygiene Plan With SOPs

Powerpoints

• GAPS-Audits-FSP Powerpoint
• Worker Training, Health & Hygiene

Suggested Work for This Week

1. Decide your food safety goal. Do you want a written food safety plan? To be in compliance with FSMA? To be Auditable? To pass a food safety audit?
2. Decide who will be the Food Safety Manager for your farm. Have them fill out General Information.
3. Write or edit a template of your Personal Qualifications & Training Worker SOP as relevant.
4. Write or edit a template of a health and hygiene plan with SOPS. You can edit Health and Hygiene Plan With SOPs to be true to your farm, use other templates from the Food Safety Resources tab, or make up your own.

Worker Training and Fact Sheets

• Illness Training Tool || National Restaurant Association
• Illness Decision Guide || MN Department of Health
• Food Worker Illness Flow Chart

G-4 Worker Qualifications and Training

• Personal Qualifications & Training SOP
• Worker Training Log
• Write a Standard Operating Procedure

G-10 Human Health and Hygiene

• Health and Hygiene Plan With SOPs
• Visitor Policy
• Visitor Log
• Restroom Cleaning and Restocking Schedule and Log
• Worker First_Aid Log
• Worker Illness Log

Worker Food Health and Hygiene Training Video

• https://youtu.be/_fQTk14VE_o || Cornell

The templates in this collection are samples that you can adapt to meet the specifics of your operation. Templates are not provided for every Harmonized GAP criteria. 

Print These Templates/Worksheets For Use In Class

• Master Recordkeeping Plan Template || PDF
• Cleaning and Sanitizing SOP
• Equipment List:Schedule Log
• Equipment List:Schedule Log #2

1. Decide who will be the Recordkeeping Manager for your farm. Have them fill out the Master Recordkeeping Plan Template. Work as a team to create the recordkeeping systems you decide you need.
2. Edit Cleaning and Sanitizing SOP or write your own.
3. Create an Equipment List  and/or Equipment List:Schedule Log #2 with cleaning and maintenance schedule.
4. Create logs as needed and print them for use. Feel free to use and edit the templates below.
5. Purchase Sanitation Supplies
6. Print next week's worksheet

Powerpoints 

• Record Powerpoint

Sanitation Logs and SOPs

• Waste Management Plan with SOPs
• OSHA Regulation for Field Sanitation
• Cleaning and Sanitizing SOP
• Contact Surface Cleaning and Sanitizing Log
• Equipment List:Schedule Log
• Equipment List:Schedule Log #2
• Postharvest Sanitation: Food Contact Surface Sanitation Log
• Postharvest Sanitation: Tools Cleaning/Sanitizing Log
• Establishing Lot Size through Sanitation Clean Breaks in Produce Packing Facilities

Sanitation Informational Fact Sheets

• Cleaning-vs-Sanitizing
• Select An EPA-labeled Sanitizer

Farm Management Software Programs

• Record-Keeping-Software-Review 1. GAPS-Audits-FSP1. GAPS-Audits-FSP|| Carolina Farm Stewardship Alliance
• Article on Small Farm Software Tools With Descriptions || Young Agrarians
• AgSquared
• CogPro

General Food Safety Templates

• General Information
• G-8 Deviations and Corrective Action Log

G-6, G-7 Traceability - Recall Plan Templates

• 1. Traceback and Recall Plan
• 2. Traceability SOP 
• Form 1. Mock Recall Log
• Form 2. Recall Information Log
• Form 3. Product Information Log
• Form 4. List Of Resources And Entities Involved In Your Supply Chain
• Form 5. Recall Notification
• Form 6. Product Retrieval
• Form 7. Disposal Record
• Form 8. Deviations and Corrective Action Log

Free Production and Sales Record Keeping Templates 

• Master Recordkeeping Plan Template || Microsoft Word
• Farmers-Market-Sales-Chart
• Weekly-CSA-Box-Chart
• Weekly-Sales-Chart
• Recordkeeping Templates for Organic Crop Farmers || USDA
• Organic Field Crops Recordkeeping Templates|| ATTRA

The templates in this collection are samples that you can adapt to meet the specifics of your operation. Templates are not provided for every Harmonized GAP criteria. 

Print These Worksheets For Use In Class

• F-6 Sample Animal Management Plan
• F-6.1 Seasonal Animal Control Risk Assessment SOP
• F-6.2 Pre-Harvest Risk Assessment SOP
• Harvest Policies
• F-7.1 Biological-Soil-Amendment-Risk-Assessment

Powerpoint 

• Animals-Harvest
• Biological Soil Amendments

Suggested Work Toward Writing Your Food Safety Plan for This Week

1. Perform F-6.1 Seasonal Animal Control Risk Assessment SOP
2. Perform F-6.2 Pre-Harvest Risk Assessment SOP
3. Edit Harvest Policies
4. Perform F-7.1 Biological-Soil-Amendment-Risk-Assessment
5. Create your Animal, Harvest, & BSA Plan:
   1. Policies & Practices
   2. SOPs
   3. Record Keeping Templates
6. Print next week's worksheets.

Harvest

• Harvest Policies
• F-6.2 Pre-Harvest Field Risk Assessment Log
• F-9.1 Pre-Harvest General Risk Assessment Log

Animals

• F-6 Sample Animal Management Plan

Animal Control SOPs

• F-6.1 Seasonal Animal Control Risk Assessment SOP
• F-6.2 Monitoring Animal Activity During the Production Season
• F-6.2 Pre-Harvest Risk Assessment SOP
• F-6.3 Managing Animal Intrusion and Contamination
• F-6.3 Worker Training- Animal Control

Animal Control Logs

• F-6.1 Seasonal Animal Control Risk Assessment LOG
• F-6.2 Animal Monitoring Log
• F-6.2 Pre-Harvest Assessment Log

Soil Amendments

• F-7 Sample-Soil-Amendment Plan
• F-7.1 Biological-Soil-Amendment-Risk-Assessment
• F-7.2 Soil Amendments-Log-Soil
• F-7.2 Compost Treatment Record
• 3rd Party Soil Amendment Suppliers Certificate of Conformance
• National Organic Program, Subpart C—Organic Production and Handling Requirements, 7 CFR 205 (2015), § 205.203(c)(1)(ii and iii).

Agricultural Chemicals

• F-2. Sample Agricultural Chemicals Plan With SOPs
• F-2.1 Agricultural Chemical Use Log
• F-2.3 Chemical Application Personnel Log
• F-2.5. Chemical Storage Facility Monitoring and Maintenance Log

The templates in this collection are samples that you can adapt to meet the specifics of your operation. Templates are not provided for every Harmonized GAP criteria. 

Print These Worksheets For Use In Class

• Water Descriptions & Risk Assessment Plan
• Water-System-Risk-Assessment
• Produce Washing Assessment

Powerpoint 

• Agricultural Water
• Postharvest Water

Suggested Work Toward Writing Your Food Safety Plan for This Week

• Describe your water system.  Water Descriptions & Risk Assessment Plan is a template you can utilize if you wish.
• Do a risk assessment of your production water system. Template option Water-System-Risk-Assessment
• Do a risk assessment of your post harvest water use. Template option Produce Washing Assessment
• Write a water management plan as needed. Template option: Sample Water Management Plan
• Write SOPs as needed. Some SOPs you might want to include:
  • Postharvest Water-SOP
  • Water Sampling-SOP
  • Monitoring and adding antimicrobial products such as a sanitizer
  • Monitoring and modifying pH
  • Monitoring water and produce temperatures
  • Monitoring turbidity and changing/adding water
  • Calibrating thermometers and sensors
• Create your Water Record Keeping System

Post Harvest Water and Washing Produce

• F-10 Water:Ice in Harvesting:Post-Harvest
• Produce Washing Assessment
• Postharvest Water-SOP
• Product-Washing_Hydro-Cooling_Recirculating-Water-Treatment-and-Monitoring-Log

F-3, F-4 Water Description and Risk Assessment

• Water Descriptions & Risk Assessment Plan
• Creating a Water System Diagram
• Water-System-Risk-Assessment
• How to Shock-Treat a Well

F-5 Water Management Plan

• Sample Water Management Plan
• Water Sampling-SOP
• Production Water-Log-Test
• Agricultural Water Inspection Log
• Agricultural Water Die-off
• Water Treatment Monitoring
• FSMA Produce Rule Agricultural Water Microbial Quality Criteria
• CFSA_2019-WATER

Water: Industry Guidance For Water. Prepared by IFPA Food Safety Council Agricultural Water Working Group

• Pre-Harvest Agricultural Guidance
• Post-Harvest Agricultural Water Guidance

Produce Safety Alliance Water Resources

• The Water Analysis Method Requirement in the FSMA Produce Safety Rule
• FSMA Produce Safety Rule Water Requirements: Insights to Get You Organized!
• MWQP Agricultural Water Calculators (online tools)
• Labeled-Sanitizers-for-Produce Spreadsheet || Produce Alliance

Water Quality: Calculate Geometric Mean and Statistical Threshold Value

These tools were developed to make it easier to calculate the GM and STV and to determine if your water meets the water quality criteria for appropriate application to produce.

Untreated Surface Water:

• Download the Excel Tool (Western Center for Food Safety, Version 6.0, October 2nd, 2017) (Will download as Excel Spreadsheet, 309 KB) 
• Get the Ag Water App (University of Arizona Coop. Ext.)
• Access the Online Calculator (University of Arizona Coop. Ext.

Untreated Ground Water:

• Download the Excel Tool (Western Center for Food Safety, Version 5.0, October 2nd, 2017) (Will download as Excel Spreadsheet, 309 KB)

The templates in this collection are samples that you can adapt to meet the specifics of your operation. Templates are not provided for every Harmonized GAP criteria. 

Worksheets For Use In Class / Print or Use Digitally In Class

• Postharvest Assessment:Repair Log

Powerpoint & Handout

• Facilities, Drainage Sanitation, Pests

Suggested Work Toward Writing Your Food Safety Plan for This Week

1. Perform the Postharvest Assessment:Repair Log
2. Identify changes you will make.
3. Create your Post harvest & Facilities Food Safety Plan:
   1. Policies & Practices
   2. SOPs
   3. Record Keeping Templates
4. IMPLEMENT all your great ideas!

PEST CONTROL

• Fly Eliminators || Gnat-sized parasitic wasps

Post Harvest Handling and Facilities: Logs and SOPs

• Daily Food Safety Pre-Operational Checklist
• Postharvest Assessment:Repair Log
• Packing and Facility Inspection Log
• Pre-Operation Inspection Sample SOP
• Cooler Temperature Log
• Pest Control Log
• Pest Monitoring - SOP
• Weekly Rodent Trap Report

Post Harvest Vehicles and Equipment: Logs and SOPs

• F-8- Vehicles, Equipment, Tools and Utensils 
• Cleaning Produce Transport Vehicles-SOP
• Transportation Vehicle Inspection and Corrective Action Log
• Transportation-Log-Truck
• Thermometer Calibration Log
• Thermometer Calibration SOP

POST HARVEST PRODUCTION RESOURCES 

Temperature and Humidity Needs 

• Produce Storage Information
• Produce Respiration Rates
• Produce Cooling Chart
• Produce Packing guidelines

Funding Sources

• Agricultural Infrastructure Investment Program - A one-time funding opportunity available to farmers and food processors for infrastructure and equipment purchases. AIIP is not expected to open for proposals again.
• Farm Storage Loan Program || USDA
• USDA Funding Opportunities
• Lakewinds Organic Field Fund: Midwest The goal of LOFF is to provide funding to farmers working on the development and sustainability of organics
• Next Stage Grant Program-Mill City Farmers Market: Midwest Next Stage Grant provides funding to local, regenerative farmers and other food producers who are improving sustainable farming and business practices or growing toward the “next stage” of their local food businesses.
• FSA Microloan Program: National The focus of Microloans is on the financing needs of small, beginning farmer, niche and non-traditional farm operations, such as truck farms, farms participating in direct marketing and sales such as farmers’ markets, CSA’s (Community Supported Agriculture), restaurants and grocery stores, or those using hydroponic, aquaponic, organic and vertical growing methods.
• Minnesota Produce Safety Mini-Grant The Produce Safety Mini-Grant helps reimburse Minnesota produce farmers for expenses that improve on-farm food safety systems including water testing for generic E. coli and/or other on-farm food safety improvements.
• MN: AGRI Value-Added Grant Program The AGRI Value-Added Grant helps Minnesota processors add value to Minnesota agricultural products by investing in the purchase of equipment, production capacity, market diversification, and market access for value-added products. 25% cost share
• Beginning Farmer and Rancher Loan || USDA
• Agricultural Marketing Loan Fund - AMLF finances projects that build and enhance the viability of agricultural and aquaculture enterprises throughout Maine at reasonable rates and terms. AMLF is currently open for applications.
• Dairy Improvement Fund - DIF provides financing to help Maine dairy businesses undertake projects to enhance the viability and vitality of the farm, and improve the manufacturing, marketability, and production of their products at a 1% fixed interest rate.
• Maine Farms for the Future - FFF is a competitive grant program that supports Maine farmers in developing and implementing ideas to improve farm profitability.

FSMA Produce Rule Status

• Interactive FSMA Produce Rule Flowchart || Carolina Farm Stewardship
• FSMA Produce Rule Status Template
• Qualified Exemption Template
• What is my food hub’s status? What does it mean?
• FSMA Produce Rule: Coverage and exemptions for farms with multiple business entities

FSMA Produce Rule Information

• Complete FSMA Produce Rule
• FDA - Produce Rule Draft Guidance 
• Glossary
• FSMA Produce Rule Record Keeping Requirements
• TAN Technical Assistance Network

Produce Safety Alliance

• General Resources
• FSMA Produce Rule Training manual references and links
• Records Required by the FSMA Produce Safety Rule

Food Safety & Legal Issues

• FSMA Produce Rule: Produce Farms, foodborne illness, and legal liability
• FSMA Produce Rule: Inspections and 3rd-party audits
• Food Safety and Legal Matters || Farm Commons

Exempt and Qualified Exception Status

• FSMA Inflation Adjusted Cut Offs (Note: Updated annually in March.)

Qualified Exemption: A farm is eligible for a qualified exemption if the average annual monetary value of all food sold during the 3-year period preceding the applicable calendar year was less than $500,000, adjusted for inflation, and sales to qualified end-users during such period exceeded the average annual monetary value of the food sold by such farm to all other buyers.

Not covered farm: A farm or farm mixed-type facility with an average annual monetary value of produce sold during the previous 3-year period of less than $25,000 (on a rolling basis).

Harmonized Gap

• Harmonized GAP Standards
• Harmonized GAP Checklist
• Tips and Strategies to Reduce Risk and Pass an Audit || Carolina Farm Stewardship

Additional Resources and Templates for Writing a Food Safety Plan

• Fundamentals of On-Farm Food Safety || Carolina Farm Stewardship
• Bridging the GAPS || WA State
• Good Agricultural Practices U of Maine Cooperative Extension
• Food Safety Plan Template || Cornell
• SOPs and Logs Templates || Cornell
• A Farmers Guide to Food Safety And Conservation || Wild Farm
• Co-Managing Farm Stewardship with Food Safety GAPs and Conservation Practices || Wild Farm

Worker Training Materials

• GAPs Worker Training Videos || North Carolina (8 topics in English and Spanish)
• Worker Posters and Educational Materials || Cornell

Food Safety: Leafy Greens

• Improving the Safety and Quality of Organic Leafy Greens Webinar EOrganic

Commodity Specific / Industry

• Arizona Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement
• California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement
• California Strawberry Commission
• Mushroom GAPs
• Tomato GAPs