This conference increases interaction among the different professional natural resource entities in Oklahoma. The OKNRC also increases awareness of what the different natural resource societies, agencies and NGOs are doing across the state, as well as foster future partnerships. An additional benefit of this conference is to bring natural resource professionals from across Oklahoma to one location to share their experience, knowledge, and research, and to allow the opportunity to network with familiar peers and new ones.

The OKNRC is hosted by the Oklahoma Chapters of The Wildlife Society, American Fisheries Society, Society for Range Management, Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council, Oklahoma Ornithological Society, Prescribed Fire Council, Oklahoma Division Society of American Foresters, and the Soil and Water Conservation Society. The conference will have presentation topics on range, wildlife, fisheries, forestry and environmental sciences. One goal of this meeting is to increase awareness of what the different societies, agencies, and NGOs are doing as well as foster future partnerships.

For more information or to register, visit the conference website or contact Vicki Jackson by email or phone (405-974-5480).

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 this training. The PSA Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement outlined in § 112.22(c) that requires ‘At least one supervisor or responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration.’

The course will provide a foundation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and co-management information, FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements, and details on how to develop a farm food safety plan. Individuals who participate in this course are expected to gain a basic understanding of:

• Microorganisms relevant to produce safety and where they may be found on the farm
• How to identify microbial risks, practices that reduce risks, and how to begin implementing produce safety practices on the farm
• Parts of a farm food safety plan and how to begin writing one
• Requirements in the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and how to meet them.

In addition to learning about produce safety best practices, key parts of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements are outlined within each module. There will be time for questions and discussion, so participants should come prepared to share their experiences and produce safety questions.

After attending the entire course, participants will be eligible to receive a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) that verifies they have completed the training course. To receive an AFDO certificate, a participant must be present for the entire training and submit the appropriate paperwork to their trainer at the end of the course.

Topics:

• Introduction to Produce Safety
• Worker Health, Hygiene, and Training
• Soil Amendments
• Wildlife, Domesticated Animals, and Land Use
• Agricultural Water (Part I: Production Water; Part II: Postharvest Water)
• Postharvest Handling and Sanitation
• How to Develop a Farm Food Safety Plan

Cost:

$15 per person

A $25 fee will be billed to those who fail to cancel or attend. The registration fees cover lunch, refreshments and workshop material costs.

For more information or to register, visit the workshop webpage, call Karen Smith (405-744-6277), or email the Food & Agricultural Products Center.

The free 2019 Oklahoma Farmers Market and Agritourism Conference is being held on Thursday, February 28, from 8 – 4 at the Hilton Garden Inn & Edmond Conference Center, located at 2833 Conference Drive, Edmond, OK 73034.

Farmers market managers, board members and producers, agritourism producers, and community support organization members will all benefit from this year’s conference topics.

There are several Pre/Post-Conference workshops and trainings being held. A separate registration is required for each event, and some have fees:

• The Pre-Conference Grant Writing Workshop will be held on Wednesday, February 27th. Follow OK Farmers Markets on Facebook www.facebook.com/OKFarmersMarkets for registration details. This workshop will introduce participants to USDA and state grants that support farmers markets and producers.
• A Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course will be held on Wednesday, February 27th. The course is $15 and lunch is provided.
• The Agritourism Rolling Workshop will be held on Friday, March 1st. The price is $25 (free to OK Agritourism Association Members).
• The Innovative Growing Practices Tour will be held on Friday, March 1. A few will be charged to cover lunch.

For more information or to register, visit the conference website or contact Meredith Scott by email or phone (405-271-2091).