Michigan State University Extension offers Produce Safety Alliance Grower Trainings across Michigan and online
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EmailThese trainings will help farms understand and comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule while strengthening on-farm food safety practices.
This fall and winter, Michigan State University Extension will offer Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Trainings for produce growers, farm managers, food safety coordinators, and others involved in fresh fruit and vegetable production. The trainings are designed to help farms understand and comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule while strengthening on-farm food safety practices.
Whether you are learning about the FSMA Produce Safety Rule for the first time or looking for an update on current requirements, including agricultural water requirements, attending a one-day PSA Grower Training is a worthwhile investment. The trainings are designed to explain the "musts" and the "shoulds" (best practices) associated with the FSMA Produce Safety Rule.
Participants will leave with a better understanding of Produce Safety Rule requirements and practical strategies for applying them on their farm. Topics covered during the training include:
- Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs)
- Worker health, hygiene and training
- Soil amendments
- Wildlife, domesticated animals and land use
- Agricultural water requirements (pre-harvest, harvest and post-harvest)
- Postharvest produce handling and sanitation
- Farm food safety planning
Participants who complete the entire course will be eligible to receive a Certificate of Course Completion issued through the Association of Food and Drug Officials.
Who should attend?
The training is open to anyone interested in produce safety and is particularly valuable for farms that are covered by, or may become covered by, the FSMA Produce Safety Rule. It is especially relevant for:
- Fruit and vegetable growers
- Farm owners and managers
- Food safety coordinators
- Farm supervisors
- Employees responsible for food safety programs
If your farm is covered by the Produce Safety Rule, this course satisfies the federal requirement that at least one supervisor or responsible party complete food safety training recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Registration now open
Registration closes several weeks before each training date to allow time for training materials to be shipped to participants.
If you are growing or working in Michigan, you may want to attend one of the upcoming in-person trainings:
- October 16, 2026 - Traverse City, Michigan
- March 10, 2027 - Grand Rapids, Michigan
If a remote training better fits your schedule, or you live outside of Michigan or the United States, please consider attending one of the remote delivery trainings offered via Zoom:
- November 2, 2026
- December 1, 2026
- January 8, 2027
- January 25, 2027
- February 5, 2027
- February 26, 2027
- March 2, 2027
- March 22, 2027
Registration information
Pre-registration is required to allow sufficient time for training materials to be shipped to participants. Registration details, training fees and course schedules are available on the MSU Extension PSA Training webpage.
Michigan growers continue to face increasing expectations related to produce safety documentation, worker training and agricultural water management. These trainings provide the knowledge and resources needed to understand regulatory requirements, prepare for produce safety inspections, strengthen farm food safety programs, and meet buyer expectations.
Questions? Email Heather Borden at bordenhe@msu.edu.
