Produce Safety Rule Grower Trainings
2025-01-19 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Silver Spring Civic Building Veterans Plaza, 1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910, United States
The Maryland Food Safety Network (MFSN) is a collaborative effort focused on increasing awareness and providing annual trainings on food safety topics and best practices.

Who Should Attend?

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. 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.’

What to Expect at the PSA Grower Training Course?

The trainers will cover content contained in these eight modules:

• Introduction to Produce Safety

• Role of Maryland Dept. of Agriculture and On-Farm Readiness Reviews

• 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

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. Appropriate time will be made for breaks at the discretion of the instructors.

Participation requirements for in-person attendees include:

• Course attendance and participation will be monitored. Any attendee who does not participate for the duration of the course will not be eligible for certification.

• A hard-copy Produce Safety Rule Grower Training Manual v1.2 will be available to each attendee prior to the course administration.

• Participants are expected to complete and return course evaluations after completing the course.

Funding for this series of work described in this article is supported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award U2FFD007444 totaling $523,497 with 100 percent funded by FDA/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by FDA/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

Heirs Property: Problems, Prevention and Resolution
2025-01-22 08:00 - 13:00 | 6615 Reistertown Road, 6615 Reistertown Road, Suite 201, Baltimore, Maryland, 21215, United States
An Interactive and Informative Workshop/Session

Learn how heirs’ property impacts families and communities and the resources available to assist these owners in Maryland

So You Want to Own Farmland in Maryland (First of Two)
2025-01-22 09:00 - 15:00 | Central Maryland Research and Education Center, 4240 Folly Quarter Road, Bldg 617, Ellicott City, Maryland, 21042, United States
The free program will cover those legal issues that Maryland landowners mayface. A grant funds the program through the Northeast Risk ManagementEducation Center.

The workshop will feature Paul Goeringer, a Principal Faculty Specialist andExtension Specialist in agricultural law. He will address leasing, landownerliability issues, right-to-farm law, fencing laws, livestock liability, and estateplanning. The workshops will also involve research related to solar developmentby Elizabeth Thilmany, a Faculty Specialist in AREC.

“These workshops will be a great opportunity for landowners and otherprofessionals in rural areas to learn about some of the basic legal issues thatmany deal with daily. They can understand their rights and responsibilitieswhether they are involved in agriculture or own land in a rural area,” saidGoeringer.

Lunch is provided with the workshop. Each workshop will begin at 9 am with acheck-in, and the workshops will run from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. The date andlocation is:

There will be two of these workshops. This first one is January 22, 2025 at the Central Maryland Research and Education Center, 4240 Folly Quarter Road, Bldg 671, Ellicott City, MD 21042

SNAP Registration
2025-01-27 09:00 - 17:30 | Harriet E. Brown Community Center, 901 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, Maryland, 20678, United States
Join us and sign up to accept SNAP EBT and other programs. USDA agents will be authorizing farmer on-site. This is typically a 45-day process. Don’t miss the chance to become authorized in about 45 minutes!

Learn about equipment grants, matching funds, marketing support, a new CSA box program, and more.

For more information or assistance signing up contact Caroline Trossbach at 410-535-4583 or caroline.trossbach@calvertcountymd.gov

So You Want to Own Farmland in Maryland (Second of Two)
2025-02-26 09:00 - 15:00 | Chesapeake College, 1000 College Cir, Wye Mills, Maryland, 21679, United States
The free program will cover those legal issues that Maryland landowners mayface. A grant funds the program through the Northeast Risk ManagementEducation Center.

The workshop will feature Paul Goeringer, a Principal Faculty Specialist andExtension Specialist in agricultural law. He will address leasing, landownerliability issues, right-to-farm law, fencing laws, livestock liability, and estateplanning. The workshops will also involve research related to solar developmentby Elizabeth Thilmany, a Faculty Specialist in AREC.

“These workshops will be a great opportunity for landowners and otherprofessionals in rural areas to learn about some of the basic legal issues thatmany deal with daily. They can understand their rights and responsibilitieswhether they are involved in agriculture or own land in a rural area,” saidGoeringer.

Lunch is provided with the workshops. Each workshop will begin at 9 am with acheck-in, and the workshops will run from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. The date andlocations is:

There will be two of these workshops. The second one is February 26, 2025 at Chesapeake College

In-Person PSA Produce Safety Rule Grower Training - McHenry, MD
2025-02-27 08:00 - 17:00 | Garrett College (CTTC Building), 116 Industrial Park, Accident, Maryland, 21520, United States
Who Should Attend?

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. 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.’

What to Expect at the PSA Grower Training Course?

The trainers will cover content contained in these eight modules:

• Introduction to Produce Safety

• Role of Maryland Dept. of Agriculture and On-Farm Readiness Reviews

• 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

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. Appropriate time will be made for breaks at the discretion of the instructors.

Participation requirements for in-person attendees include:

• Course attendance and participation will be monitored. Any attendee who does not participate for the duration of the course will not be eligible for certification.

• A hard-copy Produce Safety Rule Grower Training Manual v1.2 will be available to each attendee prior to the course administration.

• Participants are expected to complete and return course evaluations after completing the course.

Funding for this series of work described in this article is supported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award U2FFD007444 totaling $523,497 with 100 percent funded by FDA/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by FDA/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

Remote Delivery PSA Produce Safety Rule (PSR) Grower Training
2025-04-01 23:30 - 2025-04-02 16:45 | Maryland
This is a virtual event

Who Should Attend?

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. 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.’

What to Expect at the PSA Grower Training Course?

The trainers will cover content contained in these eight modules:

• Introduction to Produce Safety

• Role of MD Dept. of Agriculture and On-Farm Readiness Reviews

• 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

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. Appropriate time will be made for breaks at the discretion of the instructors.

Participation requirements for this web-based course include:

• High-speed internet connection

• Computer or other appropriate device with webcam and microphone, which must remain functional for the duration of the course, to verify participation of each attendee.

• Course attendance and participation will be monitored through chat, polling, and other engagement. Any attendee who does not participate for the duration of the course will not be eligible for certification.

• Troubleshooting is available for participants with unstable internet. Any make-up sections, due to lost internet connection etc. must be coordinated individually with the trainers.

• A hard-copy Produce Safety Rule Grower Training Manual v1.2 will be shipped to each attendee prior to the course administration. Course registration will close approximately 7 working days prior to the course to facilitate book shipment. Please be sure the shipping address you provide at the time of registration is capable of receiving packages.

• Participants are expected to complete and return course evaluations within one week of completing the course. Evaluations and a link for the training will be sent in a confirmation email prior to the training date.

Funding for this series of work described in this article is supported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award U2FFD007444 totaling $523,497 with 100 percent funded by FDA]/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by FDA/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

Farm Succession and Estate Planning Workshop - Garrett County
2026-01-13 10:00 - 14:30 | Garrett County University of Maryland Extension Office, 1916 MD-135, Mountain Lake Park, Maryland, 21550, United States
The free program will assist Maryland farm families in starting the estate planning process, including creating a successful succession plan, having difficult conversations, and health insurance options for farmers. A grant funds the program through the Northeast Risk Management Education Center.

Farm Succession and Estate Planning - Central Maryland
2026-01-27 10:00 - 14:30 | Central Maryland Research and Education Center, 4240 Folly Quarter Road, Ellicott City, Maryland, 21042, United States

Exploring H-2A Farm Labor in the Mid-Atlantic Region
2026-02-04 10:00 - 14:00 | Central Maryland Research and Education Center, 4240 Folly Quarter Road, Bldg 617, Ellicott City, Maryland, 21042, United States
This workshop is designed to help Mid-Atlantic agricultural employers better understand the costs, legal requirements, and compliance responsibilities associated with using the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program. As farms increasingly rely on seasonal labor, this program provides essential guidance to help producers make informed labor management decisions.

To register, , contact Karen Adams at adams@udel.edu or 302-831-3328.

This program is supported by the Northeast Extension Risk Management project award no. 2024-70027-42540, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Exploring H-2A Farm Labor in the Mid-Atlantic Region
2026-02-05 10:00 - 14:00 | Charles County Agricultural and Environmental Service Center, 4200 Gardiner Road, Waldorf, Maryland, 20601, United States
This workshop is designed to help Mid-Atlantic agricultural employers better understand the costs, legal requirements, and compliance responsibilities associated with using the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program. As farms increasingly rely on seasonal labor, this program provides essential guidance to help producers make informed labor management decisions.

To register, contact Karen Adams at adams@udel.edu or 302-831-3328.

This program is supported by the Northeast Extension Risk Management project award no. 2024-70027-42540, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Farm Succession and Estate Planning - Mid-Shore
2026-03-10 10:00 - 14:30 | Eastern Shore Hospital, English Room, 5262 Woods Rd, Cambridge, Maryland, 21613, United States

Understanding Eminent Domain Workshop - Baltimore County
2026-03-25 18:00 - 19:30 | Baltimore County Ag Center, 1114 Shawan Rd, Cockeysville, Maryland, 21030, United States
A wooden judge’s gavel sits on a table beside a small red model house. A cardboard sign attached to the gavel reads “Eminent Domain.” The background is softly blurred with trees and warm sunlight, symbolizing legal authority and private property rights. Image by Wan

A wooden judge’s gavel sits on a table beside a small red model house. A cardboard sign attached to the gavel reads “Eminent Domain.” The background is softly blurred with trees and warm sunlight, symbolizing legal authority and private property rights. Image by Wan

The University of Maryland Extension, in partnership with the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics and the Agriculture Law Education Initiative, will host a free “Understanding Eminent Domain” workshop on March 25 at 6:00 p.m. at the Baltimore County Ag Center in Cockeysville.

This session will help landowners and farmers understand how eminent domain and utility easements may affect private property, especially for proposed transmission lines. Participants will learn how the process works, what to expect during negotiations, and how to protect their rights and pursue fair compensation. Advance registration is encouraged at https://go.umd.edu/BCEminWork

Maryland Farm to Institution Workshop: Visioning for the Future
2026-05-07 11:00 - 12:30 | Virtual
Join the University of Maryland – Agriculture Law Education Initiative online to learn about navigating contract deals between farms, distributors, and state institutions!
📅 Date: Thursday, May 7, 2026,
🕚 Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM ET
✍ Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/contracting-basics-for-farm-2-institution-sales-webinar-tickets-1985935526620?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl
Continuing the conversations started at the “Maryland Farm to Institution Workshop: Visioning for the Future”, during this webinar attendees will learn from Jessica Mendoza Uriol, Esq. on the vital topic of contracts! Food sales to state institutions take place in a variety of ways – from direct purchases under Small Purchase Threshold limits or quick bids to formation of contracts through formal procurement channels or with third-party distributors. Topics covered in this webinar will help farmers and local aggregators with understanding and negotiating a variety of contracts when growing and selling fresh produce, dairy, meat and other foods to state institutional buyers.
Jessica Mendoza is a Senior Associate Attorney at The Mundaca Law Firm. Jessica represents both employees and businesses in a wide range of legal matters. Prior to joining the Mundaca Law Firm, Jessica was a litigation attorney with the Office of the General Counsel at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). In that role Jessica provided legal advice and counsel to agencies of the USDA, and served as liaison between agencies of the USDA and the Department of Justice in employment litigation matters pending before federal district courts.
Jessica is also a native Spanish speaker. She was born in Peru, grew up in Argentina, and moved to the United States as a teen. Outside of her legal practice, Jessica enjoys horse riding, dancing, and traveling. Her family also owns a farm in Anne Arundel County, Wild Kid Acres.
Ample time will be provided for questions. Presentation will be recorded and shared with registrants, however Q&A portion will not be recorded.
