GOODMAN – Fruit and vegetable growers who sell their produce at local farmers markets and to schools or retailers can learn about food safety training, certification programs and new government rules during a July 18 field day in Goodman.

The Alliance for Sustainable Agricultural Production Demonstration Farm will host the field day.

J. Byron Williams, a food safety specialist and research professor with the Mississippi State University Extension Service and Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, will help growers understand the new regulations enacted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the Food Safety Modernization Act.

Bill Evans, an associate research professor with MAFES, will discuss post-harvest handling and other farm and food safety issues.

Kevin Riggin with the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce will explain the food safety certification options available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s good handling practices and good agricultural practices programs.

Free farm management documents will be available to interested individuals. Bring a USB flash drive to load the documents.

The field day is free and open to the public. The event begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m. Advance registration is required. Lunch and materials will be provided.

The Alliance for Sustainable Agricultural Production is located between Goodman and Durant, one mile southwest of Highway 51 at 1184 Coleman Road.

To register for the field day or for more information, contact Keith Benson at 601-988-4999 or keithmdp@yahoo.com.

These field days continue for the rest of the year and are held on the third Friday of each month through November. The last field day is scheduled for Dec. 12.

The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce and the USDA Specialty Crop Grant Program fund the programs.