Produce Safety Alliance

Register for Idaho courses by selecting a course below:

Compliance Date Chart Based on Size of Operation

Produce Safety Alliance compliance date chart based on size of operation.

Produce Safety Alliance Recordkeeping Guide and Templates in PDF Format

Produce Safety Alliance record keeping templates that may be used to keep required records outlined by the FSMA Produce Safety Rule.

Resources by Subpart

Included in resources are Microsoft Word templates for record keeping including: Qualified exemption review, worker training record, water system inspection record, water treatment monitoring record, agricultural water die-off corrective measures record, compost treatment record and cleaning and sanitizing record.

ISDA Staff:

Casey Monn, FSMA, Hemp and Hops Bureau Chief, ISDA

Casey Monn joined the Idaho State Department of Agriculture in March of 2017 bringing with him experience from multiple industries within agriculture. Casey grew up working on his family’s livestock operation and farm in California on the Central Coast, and his grandparent’s ranch in Vale, Oregon which he credits to his passion for agriculture. He has worked in the animal industry as a Quality Assurance Manager where he was responsible for managing animal health and welfare, as well as providing high-quality bio-security standards. Casey joined ISDA as an Ag. Investigator, Sr. with the plants division before joining FSMA as a Program Manager and now Bureau Chief. Casey has regulatory experience conducting inspections on: cull onions, hops, hemp, fields, feed, fertilizer, seed, nurseries, insects, produce farms, farm equipment, and has worked alongside various federal and state programs. He holds commissions and certifications with USDA, FDA, SAC, and PSA.  Casey Monn graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science with a minor in Animal Nutrition from California State University, Fresno (Fresno State University).

Greg Blahato, FSMA-Produce Safety, Agriculture Investigator Sr., ISDA

Greg Blahato joined the Idaho State Department of Agriculture in August of 2018 as a Shipping Point / CAIP Inspector with Fresh Fruits and Vegetables. In addition to inspections with FF&V, Greg has conducted seed field inspections for the Plants Division and conducted surveys and sampling for the Invasive Species Department. Prior to starting his career with ISDA Greg worked in retail management and served in the US Army. Greg holds commissions and certifications with FDA and PSA, and has multiple years of experience conducting regulatory inspections with ISDA.

Caily Woods, FSMA-Produce Safety, Agriculture Investigator Sr., ISDA

Caily Woods joined the Idaho State Department of Agriculture in June of 2022 as an Agriculture Investigator, Sr. After receiving her Bachelors in Communication Studies from New Mexico State University, Caily worked for the New Mexico Department of Agriculture as a Weights and Measures inspector. Her experience working in Agriculture encouraged her to pursue a career that allowed her to work closely with farmers which lead her to move to Idaho to work in food safety. Caily holds certifications and commissions with FDA and PSA and has multiple years of experience conducting regulatory inspections. She has a background in public speaking and education which has prepared her to be an effective trainer for the Produce Safety Alliance. Caily grew up working in agriculture and has a profound respect for the farmers she works with. She strives to learn from every farmer while helping them reach their food safety goals.

UI Extension Staff:

Meet the Trainers

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.’

Have you had Personnel Changes?

If the person who completed this training in the past is no longer working for your operation, you must have their replacement trained by completing the course again.

The trainers will spend approximately eight to nine hours of total instruction time over the two days (four and a half hours each day), covering content contained in these seven modules:

• 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

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.

The course will provide FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements, 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.

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.

For the in-person training, there is a cost of $25 to attend. Lunch, refreshments, course materials and certificates are included with registration. There is no cost to attend the remote training at this time. If participants register for the remote courses, they are expected to attend. Please do not register for the remote course if you are unsure you will be able to attend the remote trainings. Instead, please wait to register until you are certain you can attend. If you register for the training and are unable to attend the training, please contact University of Idaho Extension so you can be removed from the course.

All PSA Grower Training Courses are being held remotely (online). Participants must be present for all modules in order to receive credit for participating in the course. In order for participants to be present during the training, participants must be able to engage through video and audio throughout the remote training. Participant’s engagement will be monitored throughout the duration of the training course to ensure the requirements have been met. Participants will require an active internet connection, access to Zoom, camera, microphone, and the ability to interact throughout the training. ISDA will be mailing out training manuals and other educational materials approximately two weeks prior to the training date. If attendees do not attend, they will be expected to return the educational materials as soon as possible.