Charleston, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) and the Eastern West Virginia Community Action Agency are teaming up to present a one-day “Writing a Food Safety Plan” workshop. The event will take place Wednesday, March 29 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Tucker County High School.
The workshop will focus on how to write a food safety plan, identifying all products and materials used in the growing process. That includes physical, chemical and biological hazards and the procedures used to control them including monitoring, verification and record keeping.
“Implementing good food safety practices is vital to any safe reliable food supply. GAP certification is essential to individuals who want to expand or start an agriculture-based business,” stressed West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt. “The bonus of this particular workshop is advancing the quality of teaching already available through the Tucker County FFA Chapter. Our aim is to inspire students in Tucker County and around the state to pursue careers in the agriculture industry.”
The March 29 workshop will bring Tucker County one step closer to becoming the first FFA chapter in the state to become Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certified. The GAP project is designed to teach youth and adult growers the importance of implementing safety as a priority in their production.
There is no cost for the workshop which is also open to the public. However, there is a $5 charge for lunch. Students eat free. Tucker County High School is located at 116 Mountain Lion Way in Hambleton, WV 26269. Please RSVP no later than March 22 to Matt Hinkle at mjhinkle@ewcaa.org or 304-538-7711.
