Training and other events: Agriculture Sector

Food Safety STARTS on the Farm

Reduce your risk of food contamination and expand your customer base by putting in place a food safety and traceability program. Need some help? Let OMAFRA's food safety workshops help get you started on good agricultural practices.

2011- 2012 Food Safety Workshops

We are here to help you keep up to date on the latest food safety practices by mix and matching any of the following topics to create a workshop tailored to your farm group's needs.

Getting Started in Food Safety (45mins)

Have you thought about making food safety improvements on your farm, but weren't sure where to start? Evaluate food safety programs and practices, write a basic food safety plan and discover what food safety resources OMAFRA has for you.

3-2-1 Assessment of Your Farm Operation for Food Safety (45 mins)

Thinking of adopting a food safety program on your farm but confused as to where your operational farm practices already rate for food safety? This workshop is an interactive approach that takes you through a series of questions rating your present farm practices for food safety. The end result is a summary of what you need to do to ensure safe practices. (Computer resources required for workshop.)

Hygiene and Sanitation (50 mins)

Did you know that dirty hands play a major role in the transfer of human pathogens to food? Reducing this risk on the farm means implementing a program of worker hygiene and building and equipment sanitation. This workshop will help you understand the risks associated with hygiene and sanitation. In the workshop you will become familiar with the good agricultural practices you need to customize and implement a program on your farm that reduces these risks.

Pre and Post Harvest Water Use (1hr)

(Also available via webex online presentation: February 14, 2012. Call 1-877-424-1300 for more details or click here to register.)

Did you know that water can carry germs from dirty produce to clean produce? A pre and post harvest water use program is an important step in reducing risks. Evaluate your risks, and discuss how to construct and monitor a water sanitizing program.

Manure, Compost and Compost Teas (45mins)

Do you know your dirt? Do you know what is required to create or maintain a good growing base for your agri-needs? This workshop will outline Good Agricultural Practices when using manure and compost teas, demonstrating proper implementation for better soil, growing for tomorrow.

Food Safety on Multi-Commodity Farms (30mins)

Multi-commodity farms present a unique challenge when it comes to food safety. Do you know where your risks lie? Construct a map linking farm practices to food safety to determine where cross-contamination could occur. Discuss how to develop a risk reduction program for your farm.

Preparing for an On-Farm Food Safety Audit (50 mins)

Do you need an on-farm food safety audit? Anxious about what may be required? This workshop will help you interpret what to expect from an audit, the general requirements of a food safety program, and applying the tools needed for a successful audit.

An Introduction to Traceability (1 hr)

Tracing agri-food products from farm inputs, their production through consumer consumption is an important part of a safe food production system. Learn the basics of traceability, the drivers and benefits for adoption, details of premises identification, how traceability works in a farming operation, selection of technology in setting up a system and what other operations have piloted.

Livestock - Animal Health Products Use (45 mins)

Improper use and administration of animal health products can introduce food safety hazards to animal food products. This workshop will help you increase awareness of terminology, understand food safety risks, select the right animal health product working with a herd/flock veterinarian, learn proper use and handling of products and equipment to apply or administer and develop written practices and records to keep.

Using Food Safety to Market Your Products (40 mins)

Make your food safety practices work for you in the marketplace. This workshop will suggest how you can keep your customers informed about the efforts you have made on their behalf. Let your customers know that you take food safety seriously and that their welfare is important to you.

Who Should Attend our Workshops

Farm operators, managers and staff

What is included?

Course materials, OMAFRA Food Safety Resources and lunch.

Registration Details

Call the Food Safety Team Lead to help you put together a workshop specific to your group's needs. These workshops are ideal for producer groups of 10 or more people. Workshops can be held at a location of your choosing or at a local OMAFRA office. The cost is $45 +HST per person. We are here to help!

Book your food safety workshop today! Call 1-877-424-1300

One on One Sessions

OMAFRA Food Safety Advisors are here to help you develop Good Agriculture Practice plans specific to your operation, provide tools to train your employees and help you prepare for an audit. Discuss your specific needs with an advisor located in Guelph at a time convenient for you. Call today to book your one-on-one session!

If you are interested in receiving updates on our training workshops and tools, please email advantage@ontario.ca to be added to the mailing list.