OPGMA Listening Sessions

All produce growers should plan to attend one of the following sessions sponsored by the Ohio Produce Growers & Marketers Association (OPGMA) regarding the development of food safety standards for Ohio producers.  The ABE Center will be hosting a session on Wednesday, November 11 from 9 to 11 am.   

 

Directions to the OSU Extension ABE Center and a local map can be found at the following link:

http://maps.google.com/maps?sourceid=navclient&rlz=1T4SKPB_enUS300US312&q=639%20s.%20dunbridge%20rd.%20bowling%20green&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl

 

Please feel free to contact me with additional questions or concerns:

 

Beth Fausey, Ph.D.

Floriculture and Hydroponic Vegetable Extension Educator

Director, Agricultural Business Enhancement Center

Ohio State University Extension

639 S. Dunbridge Rd., Suite 4

Bowling Green, OH 43402

Phone:    419-354-6916 ext.11

Toll Free: 800-358-4678

Fax:        419-354-6416

www.abe.osu.edu

www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/hydroponics

 

 

Listening Sessions to be Held to Help Guide Ohio Fresh Produce Marketing Agreement

 

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 the “The Ohio Project,” which is an alternative to the proposed national standards.

 

The intent of these listening sessions is to:

1)     Provide a food safety update on proposed national programs and how they would affect Ohio growers.

2)     Explain the Ohio Fresh Produce Marketing Agreement how it would provide an alternative to the national programs.

3)     Outline the action steps for an individual grower or operation should take to prepare and protect one’s business

4)     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.   

 

Listening Session Schedule

Northeast Ohio

Tuesday, November 10

6-8 p.m.

Mt. Hope Auction

Mt Hope, Ohio

Host: Raymond Yoder

 

Friday, November 13

8-10 a.m.

Hilton Garden Inn Garnet Room #2

4900 Emerald Ct. SW

Cleveland, Ohio

Host: Bill Dodd, OAMP/FGMA

 

Northwest Ohio

Wednesday, November 11

9-11 a.m.

ABE Center

639 S Dunbridge Rd Suite # 4

Bowling Green, Ohio

Host: Beth Fausey

 

Southeast Ohio

Wednesday, November 11

5-7 p.m.

Valley Vineyards

2276 E. U.S. 22&3 (Montgomery Road)

Morrow, Ohio

Host: Brad Begefurd

 

South Central Ohio

Thursday, November 12

9-11 a.m.

Cynthiana Township Hall

Bainbridge, Ohio

Host: Fred Weaver, Bainbridge Produce Auction Manager

 

Southeast Ohio

Thursday, November 12

2-4 p.m.

OSU Athens County

280 W Union St

Athens, Ohio

Host: Hal Kneen & Rory Lewandowski

 

OPGMA Congress

Wednesday January 20

Kalahari Convention Center

Sandusky, Ohio

Host: Richard Wander, OPGMA President

 

 

For additional information, contact the Ohio Produce Growers & Marketers Association at 2130 Stella Court, Columbus, Ohio USA 43215-1033. 614-487-1117; opgma@ofa.org; www.opgma.org.

# # #