Produce Safety

Capacity Building Projects

PI: Vallotton; Co-PIs: Boyer, Latimer, Straw, Strawn, and Williams

Goal: This project focused on the development of educational produce safety resources in multiple formats (e.g., trainings, website, videos, factsheets) for growers, extension agents, and consumers.


Benefits: Statewide agent and grower trainings. A comprehensive website aimed towards agents, growers, and consumers, a GAP decision-making tool, various GAP Plan of Action manual templates, webinars, on-farm factsheets pertaining to pre- and post-harvest handling practices, YouTube videos, and a consumer-oriented section for resources.

PI: Strawn; Co-PIs: Boyer, Eifert, Vallotton, and Williams

Goal: The overall goal of this project was to build a collaborative infrastructure in the Southern US to support the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)-compliant food safety training, education, extension, outreach, and technical assistance as it relates to the produce industry.


Benefits: Publicly available supplemental curriculum and other resources (e.g., FSPCA food safety plans) to aid the produce industry in compliance with FSMA Rules. A supportive technical assistance network and database (website) for trainers and stakeholders. FSMA-compliant trainings for growers in Virginia.

PI:Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS); Co-PIs: Strawn*, Boyer, Eifert, Vallotton, and Williams

Goal: The main objectives of this project are to aid VDACS in building a farm inventory for Virginia; to support VDACS in developing educational content and resources for growers related to the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule; provide PSR training classes; assist VDACS in Farm Readiness Reviews; and provide technical support for VDACS and FSMA Produce Safety Rule covered farms.


Benefits: Provide on the ground support and education to Virginia produce farms that are covered under the FSMA Produce Safety Rule.

PI: Vallotton; Co-PIs: Boyer, Strawn

Goal: This project will build capacity to assist Virginia’s produce growers in meeting the agricultural production water compliance under the Produce Safety Rule.


Benefits: Guidelines and resources will be developed to train trainers in each of the four VCE districts so they can work with growers in the source water sampling process, data interpretation, and understanding treatment options when needed. Working closely with VDACS water testing laboratories, this program will help meet the needs of Virginia growers covered by the PSR.



FAQ On Farm Food Safety