USDA has just announced that proposed audit fees for the Harmonized and GAP/GHP audits will increase to $155 per hour. The average Harmonized Audit runs anywhere from 12 to 15 hours, GAP/GHP audits average 5 to 10 hours. The current fee is $132 per hour. For anyone who needs an audit try to schedule before October 1, 2023 when the new rates take effect. For further information or discuss the proposed increases contact: Melissa Bailey, Associate Administrator, AMS, USDA, Room 2036–S, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250; telephone (202) 205–9356, or email melissa.bailey@usda.gov.
On-Farm Food Safety Section
Keep up with the latest news on this dynamic topic that impacts growers on multiple levels. Developing a farm food safety plan is a good idea for all growers, and may be required as part of food safety audits if you sell to certain buyers.
View NJAES On-Farm Food Safety Publications
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Changes to Audit Costs
Fruit and Vegetable Grower Feedback Needed on Produce Safety Costs, Needs, and Barriers
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Application for Cost-Share Grant Funding for Installation of Deer Fencing on UNPRESERVED Farmland – Out NOW
“The NJDA Deer Fencing Program makes cost-sharing funding available for the installation of deer fencing on unpreserved farms. The program is conducted in accordance with N.J.S.A 4:40-6.1.”
Please click here for the full application, eligibility, and other important information
Timing is important if considering this program. NJDA began accepting applications on 5/15/23.
Your Input Needed on Preharvest Water use in Produce
Do you irrigate produce?
Have questions about Subpart E or agricultural water?
The On-Farm Food Safety Team is involved in a national survey to find out:
- Does the produce industry understand the rule?
- What areas of the rule are still unclear to the industry.
- How preharvest water is used and treated on farms across the U.S.
This survey will help us get a better understanding of what you know and how extension educators can assist the industry. Please take a few minutes and fill out the survey by clicking on the image to the right.
Free webinar – Retraining and Upskilling Workers on Produce Safety Best Practices
Did you know that well trained employees have a higher job satisfaction and feel more valued by their employer? Employees satisfied with job training are more committed to their employers and more willing to accept organization goals and values. This is a key component in creating a food safety culture on your farm. Well trained, committed employees are less likely to look for another job, reducing employee turnover on the farm and the turnover costs associated with having to find new employees.
Growers leave training courses with a lot of information, the majority of which needs to be taught to your employees. You are sent home with food safety educational tools such as handouts, knowledge, and binders, but are not given guidance on how to use these resources to train your employees. This webinar will help.
Join us on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 to talk about tips to train employees at our free lunchtime webinar Retraining and Upskilling Workers on Produce Safety Best Practices from 12 – 1pm Eastern Time.
This webinar will feature Phil Tocco, Extension Educator at Michigan State University Extension.
At the end of the webinar participants will:
- Understand how to verify training is working.
- Discern what training is required for different employees.
- Develop a process for training folks on your farm.
You can register for the webinar at this link: Webinar: Retraining and Upskilling Workers on Produce Safety Best Practices
Last Two Food Safety Trainings Until Fall
March 1, 2023: Advanced Audits Online Training from 9:00-12:00
This online program offers growers a deeper dive into audit standards and on-farm food safety issues they face on their farms. Current hot topics in food safety will be discussed as well as how to foster a food safety culture on your farm, updates to the harmonized audit, post-harvest sanitizer use and labeling and more! Certificates will be sent out to those who participate in this program.
$15.00 per person
Deadline to Register is February 27, 2023
March 15, 2023: Food Safety Training for Blueberry Growers from 10:00-1:00
Topics included horticulture sanitizer chemistry and how they work, a risk vs. hazard hands-on training, updates to the FSMA Ag Water Rule, an update on Traceability, what the New Jersey Department of agriculture found in 2022 during FSMA inspections and more. Certificates will be sent out to those who participate in this program.
Where:
Philip E. Marucci Center for Blueberry and Cranberry Research
125a Lake Oswego, Chatsworth, NJ 08019
$50.00 per person (lunch included)
Deadline to Register is March 8, 2023
For more information or to sign up for both trainings: Go to: https://go.rutgers.edu/8bgart4a