Free Produce Safety Course in North Dakota

By Scout Nelson

The North Dakota Department of Agriculture hosts a produce safety training session to help fruit and vegetable growers learn important food safety practices. The training supports growers who want to meet the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule and improve daily farm safety.

This free training is open to growers from across the country, with first preference given to North Dakota growers. Produce growers may attend at no cost. Other participants may join but will receive an invoice of one hundred dollars after registration to cover course materials.

“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 should attend,” Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said. “Attending a session will satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement that requires at least one supervisor or responsible party on a farm to complete food safety training recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration.”

The course teaches growers how to handle produce in a safe way. Topics include safe harvest practices, clean packing methods, worker hygiene, water safety, and ways to reduce food risks. Growers also learn about co-management, which balances natural resource care with food safety needs.

Training sessions help farms prepare for inspections and protect customer health. They also help growers reduce risks that could harm crops, buyers, and farm operations. By learning the rules early, farms can avoid penalties and build trust with buyers and markets.

The training supports local farms and improves food safety standards across the state. It also strengthens North Dakota’s produce supply chain by helping farms meet national safety expectations.

Registration is open now. Growers are encouraged to register early to secure a place in the session. This program continues to support safe food practices and stronger farm operations across the region.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-valentinrussanov