Course Description

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR) sets minimum food safety standards for the production of fruits, vegetables, and tree nuts. The Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Training Course was developed to educate produce growers and handlers about the PSR and assist with the implementation of produce safety practices.

Completing this course fulfills the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement 21 CFR 112.22(c) that states "at least one supervisor or responsible party from your farm must have successfully completed food safety training equivalent to that received under a standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)."

Courses will be held over two consecutive days in real-time with live instructor(s) from 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Pacific Time.

Register for the course by November 2, 2025.

Cost to Attend

The California Department of Food and Agriculture Produce Safety Program and California Department of Food and Agriculture Farm to School Network are offering web-based, remote PSA Grower Trainings at no-cost to California produce growers and handlers.

These courses are limited to individuals that live and/or work in the State of California. Participants will be asked to provide a California mailing address to receive their course materials on the registration form.

Each course registration includes the PSA Grower Training Manual ($60 value) and Certificate of Course Completion from the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO)* ($35 value).

*Course requirements must be met to receive the Certificate of Course Completion (see below).

Course Requirements

Active course participation is required and will be monitored by the trainer(s). Courses will be offered via Zoom requiring a computer with reliable internet access, webcam, microphone, and speakers. To be eligible for the PSA/AFDO Certificate of Course Completion, participants must be present for all PSA course modules, actively participate in the online discussions, have their videos on and be visible throughout the duration of the course. A separate Zoom link to log into the course will be provided to the email submitted during registration.

Upon registration confirmation, you will be shipped the PSA Grower Training Manual and handouts prior to the course. These materials must be present during the course and will be verified at the start of each day. Participants who do not have their materials present will not be able to continue with the course and will be asked to register for another session.

Who Should Attend?

Fruit and vegetable growers and others interested in learning about produce safety, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), and co-management of natural resources and food safety.

What to Expect during a PSA Grower Training Course:

Courses will be held over two consecutive days in real-time with live instructor(s) from 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Pacific Time.

The PSA Grower Training curriculum includes the following modules. Trainers will review the modules with time available for participant questions and discussions throughout the course.

Day 1

Module 1: Introduction to Produce Safety
Module 2: Worker Health, Hygiene, and Training
Module 3: Soil Amendments
Module 4: Wildlife, Domesticated Animals, and Land Use

Day 2

Module 5.1: Agricultural Water: Production Water
Module 5.2: Agricultural Water: Postharvest Water
Module 6: Postharvest Handling and Sanitation
Module 7: How to Develop a Farm Food Safety Plan

Benefits of Attending the Course:

The course will provide a foundation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and co-management information, FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements, and details on how to develop a farm food safety plan. Individuals who participate in this course are 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, and how to begin implementing produce safety practices on the farm
Parts of a farm food safety plan and how to begin writing one
Requirements in the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and how to meet them

After attending the entire course, participants will be eligible to receive a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) that verifies they have completed the training course. To receive an AFDO certificate, a participant must be present for the entire training and submit the appropriate paperwork to their trainer at the end of the course. Participants must be at least 14 years of age to receive the AFDO certificate. At the end of the course you will be asked to complete and upload the course evaluation.

Questions or Comments?

Please contact producesafety@cdfa.ca.gov

This publication was made possible by Grant Number 5U18FD005914-03 from FDA. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the FDA.

Consistent with Food and Agricultural Code §42653, proprietary information obtained for the purposes of the Produce Safety Program (PSP) is confidential and shall not be disclosed except when required by court order in a judicial proceeding. This information may include but is not limited to information contained in individual inspection reports, names and addresses of farmers, growers, producers, handlers or cooler operators, sales data and noncompliance observations obtained during a PSP inspection.

Remote-delivery Two-Day Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Training