News & Updates
Fruit and vegetable grower feedback needed on produce safety costs, needs and barries
The Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) and personnel from the Northeast Center to Advance Food Safety (NECAFS) at the University of Vermont would like to understand the costs and barriers of beginning or expanding food safety practices on farms and in packinghouses to make educational materials more relevant to fruit and vegetable growers and packers. To do this, they have developed a survey to collect food safety information from growers across the country.
Please take the survey by May 1.
Wisconsin Women in Conservation Educator conference on April 28
Join WiWiC for the Educator Network Conference 2023: Lighting the Fire with Women Landowners. The conference will be held Friday, April 28, at Sentry World in Stevens Point. The gathering brings together conservation educators from across the state to connect, network and empower women.
RSVP for the event.
New Farmer U coming to Rosholt on March 31
Boost your farm business skills at
New Farmer U from March 31-April 1 in Rosholt at the Wisconsin Lions Club. New Farmer U covers farm financial and business management for intermediate beginning farmers or anyone who is ready to plan for future success. Space is limited, and the cost is $50. New Farmer U offers scholarships that cover $35 of the $50 admission fee for either a full-day Friday course or the Saturday workshops.
Register here by March 17, or
apply for a scholarship.
FDA issues reminder of end of intended enforcement discretion period for harvest and post-harvest agricultural water
The FDA released a
fact sheet and constituent update to remind produce stakeholders of the upcoming end of the intended enforcement discretion period for the harvest and post-harvest agricultural water requirements in the Produce Safety Rule for covered produce other than sprouts. For large covered farms, this period will end on January 26, 2023.
Learn more.
Free classes and trainings on well water
The University of Illinois Urbana is providing free classes and trainings on well water. To learn more about these opportunities, visit
privatewellclass.org.
Update on FSMA proposed rule for food traceability
The FDA met its obligation to send the FSMA Final Rule: Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods to the Office of the Federal Register (OFR) by Nov. 7, 2022. Publication is managed by the OFR and the FDA anticipates publication within one or two weeks after submission.
Learn more, and use the
Exemptions to the Food Traceability Rule tool to find whether your farm is fully or partially exempt.
DATCP announces plans for Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program
DATCP has signed a cooperative agreement with USDA to create the Wisconsin Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program. This program aims to strengthen local and regional food systems; support underserved, small Wisconsin farmers; and distribute fresh, nutritious foods to underserved communities.
Learn more.