(559) 243-7530
April 8, 2026
Space is Limited
Registration Closes:
Apr 6, 2026 at 12:00 PM
or When Class is Full
Location: CLOVIS, CA
Check-In: 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM
Class: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
April 9, 2026
Space is Limited
Registration Closes:
Apr 7, 2026 at 12:00 PM
or When Class is Full
Location: CLOVIS, CA
Check-In: 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM
Class: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
May 13, 2026
Space is Limited
Registration Closes:
May 11, 2026 at 12:00 PM
or When Class is Full
Location: STOCKTON, CA
Check-In: 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM
Class: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
May 14, 2026
Space is Limited
Registration Closes:
May 12, 2026 at 12:00 PM
or When Class is Full
Location: STOCKTON, CA
Check-In: 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM
Class: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
The Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Training Course provides fruit and vegetable growers with the knowledge, skills, and certification needed to meet the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule requirement for standardized food safety training.
This one-day course follows the national curriculum developed by Cornell University, the Produce Safety Alliance, and FDA, and is recognized across California and the United States.
Upon completion, eligible participants receive an official PSA/AFDO Certificate of Completion, which satisfies the Produce Safety Rule requirement for at least one supervisor or responsible party on a farm to complete food safety training recognized as adequate by FDA.
The training is offered in-person and covers the foundational produce safety practices that help reduce the risk of microbial contamination during growing, harvesting, packing, and holding activities.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand FSMA’s Produce Safety Rule and how it applies to growers and farm operations.
- Identify common biological hazards associated with fruits and vegetables.
- Implement science-based practices to reduce contamination risks.
- Develop and apply Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) across production areas.
- Understand proper use of soil amendments, water testing standards, and worker hygiene expectations.
- Evaluate postharvest handling practices that impact produce safety.
Recognize recordkeeping requirements that demonstrate compliance with the Produce Safety Rule.
Training modules include:
- Introduction to Produce Safety
- Worker Health, Hygiene, and Training
- Soil Amendments
- Wildlife and Land Use
- Agricultural Water (Pre- and Postharvest)
- Postharvest Handling and Sanitation
- How to Develop a Farm Food Safety Plan
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
This course is designed for:
- Farm owners, managers, supervisors, and food safety personnel who are responsible for produce safety compliance.
- Individuals involved in growing, harvesting, packing, or holding covered produce.
- Employees who are responsible for implementing GAPs, SOPs, food safety monitoring, employee training, or documentation.
- New food safety staff seeking nationally recognized training.
- Operations that are:
- Fully covered by the FSMA Produce Safety Rule
- Conditionally exempt but want to strengthen food safety practices
- Preparing for a PSR Inspection or an On-Farm Readiness Review (OFRR)
Farms of all sizes benefit from this training. At least one supervisor must complete PSA-approved training if the farm is subject to FSMA’s Produce Safety Rule.
COST AND PAYMENT:
Below are the current registration fees for the Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Training Course.
Fees are subject to change—please review the latest schedule before registering.
REGISTRATION FEES
Participant Type
Qualifying Companies (see criteria below)
Non-Qualifying Companies / Individuals
Registration Fees
$25
$199
Who Qualifies for the $25 Fee?
The discounted $25 registration fee is available only to produce growers and farm operations that meet all of the following USDA funding criteria:
- The company must be a California specialty crop grower, and
- The company must meet program eligibility requirements established under the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Produce Safety Program or partner funding agency (e.g., USDA cooperative agreement eligibility), and
- The participant must be directly involved in growing, harvesting, packing, holding, or managing covered produce where the training is necessary for FSMA Produce Safety Rule compliance.
Non-Qualifying Participants
Companies or individuals who do not meet the above criteria may still take the PSA Grower Training Course for the standard fee of $199.
What the Fee Includes
- PSA Training Manual (required) and issued during check-in.
- Course instruction and materials
- AFDO Certificate processing
- Lunch and refreshments
Payment Requirements
- Payment is due at the time of registration.
- Space is limited, and registration closes when the class reaches capacity.
- One registration = one participant.
- Guests or unregistered individuals may not attend or share materials.
ATTENDANCE FAQS:
Q: Do I need to attend the entire course to receive the PSA/AFDO certificate?
A: Yes. Participants must be present for the full duration of the training. Late arrivals, early departures, or extended absences will result in no certificate being issued, as required by AFDO.
Q: Can I arrive late or leave early and still get credit?
A: No. To receive certification, you must complete all training modules. Missing any portion of the course disqualifies you from earning the certificate.
Q: Can I send someone else in my place if I cannot attend?
A: Substitutions may be possible if arranged in advance and processed before the class date. Walk-in substitutions on the day of training are not permitted.
Q: Do I need to bring anything with me?
A: All required materials, including the PSA Grower Training Manual, will be provided. You may bring note-taking materials and a refillable water bottle if desired.
Q: Can I bring guests, children, or additional staff who are not registered?
A: No. Only registered participants may enter the training room. Each attendee must be registered individually to receive materials and a certificate.
Q: Is this course offered online?
A: No. At this time, the PSA Grower Training Course is offered only in-person, as this format ensures full participation and meets program delivery standards.
CERTIFICATES & CERTIFICATION:
Upon successful completion of the course, participants receive:
- PSA/AFDO Certificate of Completion
- Issued directly to you via email by the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) in partnership with the Produce Safety Alliance.
This certificate:
- Meets the FSMA requirement that at least one supervisor or responsible party on the farm complete food safety training recognized by the FDA.
- Is nationally recognized across the United States.
- Is required for farms preparing for PSR inspections.
CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS
To receive the certificate, participants must:
- Attend all training modules in full
- Participate in discussions and activities
- Provide accurate registration information to be submitted to AFDO
Certificates are typically issued within 7–10 business days after the course via email. Be sure your email is correct when registering for this course.
TRAVEL LOGISTICS & PARKING:
In-Person Classes (Clovis, CA):
- Location: Herndon Campus, 390 W. Fir Ave., Bldg. A, Room 214, Clovis, CA 93611.
- Classes begin early (check-in between 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM), so plan accordingly.
Parking:
- A temporary permit will be issued in the classroom to park for free in the campus parking lot. You will need to display this permit on your dashboard in full view.
- Please allow additional time for parking and check-in.
- Signs will direct you to the appropriate training room.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
- Cancellations must be received at least 5 working days before the course date for a refund, minus a $25 processing fee.
- Cancellations made less than 5 working days before the course or failure to attend the training are non-refundable.
- Refunds are not available after course materials have been distributed.
- Substituting another attendee may be possible if arranged in advance—contact our office for details.