Outreach and Education

The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) is working with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Mississippi State University, and Alcorn State University Extension Services to provide outreach and education to Mississippi fruit and vegetable producers who will be impacted by the “Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption” (commonly referred to as the Produce Safety Rule).

The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce is partnering with Mississippi State University and Alcorn State University Extension Services to assist in delivering Produce Safety alliance Grower Trainings and On-Farm Readiness Reviews.

The Produce Safety Rule requires one representative from a farm to attend the Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training (or other FDA-recognized curriculum). The Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training helps growers to understand each part of the regulation and how to comply.

An On-Farm Readiness Review is an educational opportunity intended to walk producers through what an actual inspection on their farm may look like, before a real inspection is conducted. These On-Farm Readiness Reviews are provided by the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce at no cost to the producer.

On-Farm Readiness Review