Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Training Series Offered in Ashe County, Begins March 19

Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Training Series Offered in Ashe County

March 19, 20, 27 and 28, 2013

Are you a farmer who has heard about new food safety rules and regulations?  Are your produce buyers asking for GAP Certification or other evidence that your product is safe to eat?  North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Alleghany, Ashe and Watauga County Centers, in partnership with High Country Workforce Development, will offer a Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) training to prepare area growers for certification.  The classes will be held in the Agriculture Service Center in Ashe County (134 Government Circle, Jefferson, North Carolina) March 19, 20, 27 and 28, 2013, from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and are limited to 20 participants.  All four classes are mandatory for growers to receive training certification.

Cost for the training is $125.00 per person but scholarships for the class are available on a first come first serve basis and will cover the entire fee.  Scholarship applications and registration must be completed in order to be considered eligible for the class.  Scholarships may be obtained at the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Ashe County Center at 134 Government Circle, Suite 202, Jefferson, North Carolina.

Travis Birdsell, Teresa Herman, and Richard Boylan, Extension Agents, will be providing a hands-on program that will guide growers through a food safety program, recordkeeping requirements necessary for GAP certification and accessing wholesale markets.  Participants will receive Food Safety procedure notebooks and digital resources, and can complete their own farm records during the class sessions.  Training certifications will be received at the end of successful class completion.

For additional information regarding the class or registration please contact the Ashe County Center of NC Cooperative Extension at (336) 846-5850.