Ohio Fresh Produce Marketing Agreement Listening Session
A listening session will be held to inform growers of fresh produce in Southeast Ohio about the Ohio Fresh Produce Marketing Agreement and what it might mean to their farm or business. The meeting will be held at the Athens County Extension Office and will be hosted by Rory Lewandowski and Hal Kneen.
| What |
|
|---|---|
| When |
Nov 12, 2009 from 02:00 PM to 04:00 PM |
| Where | Athens County Extension Office |
| Contact Name | Rory Lewandowski |
| Contact Phone | (740) 593-8555 |
| Add event to calendar |
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The Ohio Department of Agriculture recently announced the grant funding of The USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. OPGMA was awarded funding for the development of an “Ohio Fresh Produce Marketing Agreement.”
OPGMA has begun developing an Ohio-specific food safety standard for
fresh produce that takes into consideration the climate, commodities,
and cultural practices unique to state fresh fruit and vegetable
growers.
While there are currently several proposed marketing agreements and
regulatory programs in the development process, all of them are
national standards based on a one-size-fits-all model. OPGMA will be conducting seven “listening sessions” around the state to inform Ohio growers about the national proposals and the “The Ohio Project,” which is an alternative to the proposed national standards.
The intent of these listening sessions is to:
- Provide a food safety update on proposed national programs and how they would affect Ohio growers.
- Explain the Ohio Fresh Produce Marketing Agreement and how it would provide an alternative to the national programs.
- Outline the action steps for an individual grower or operation should take to prepare and protect one’s business
- Answer questions and receive input regarding the design and implementation of an Ohio Fresh Produce Marketing Agreement.
Each session will be hosted by an individual site manager. The presentation and Q&A will be moderated by an OPGMA Board member. The primary presenter is Dr. Karl Kolb, Chief Science officer of The High Sierra Group, and a member of The OSU Food Safety Team.
