1. Produce Safety University Take-Home Training for Professional Standards 1 School Gardens

2. Objectives At the end of this training session, participants will be able to: 1.Identify appropriate practices for site selection, materials, water sources, chemicals, and compost use in school gardens. 2.Describe appropriate harvesting and handling practices for produce grown in school gardens. 2

3. An Educational Tool: School Gardens Growth in popularity A district-sponsored learning environment Typically on school property Involves students, staff, and community May include flowers, trees, herbs, fruits, and/or vegetables 3

4. Allowable expenses using school nutrition program funds – Equipment – Materials seeds, compost, fertilizer FFVP program funds may not be used USDA Food and Nutrition Service School Garden Q & As 4 www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/governance/Policy-Memos/2009/SP_32-2009_os.pdf

5. Handout: Food Safety Tips for School Gardens Handout: Growing Safer Gardens – www.growingsafergardens.com Nutritious food must be safe food Food safety education opportunity – Students – Staff – Community Be a Food Safety Advocate 5

6. Locate away from contamination Know what’s below; call 811 before you dig (Call-Wait-Dig-Live) Construct reasonable barriers Site selection 6

7. Test soil Find your county extension office: www.nifa.usda.gov/Extension/index.html Consider purchasing soil from a commercial source that is: – Traceable – Intended for growing food crops 7 Soil History

8. Plant Selection Avoid growing toxic plants Avoid growing known allergens, i.e. peanuts Check with your local Cooperative Extension Office if you have questions. 8

9. Use non-toxic, non-leaching materials Cedar, untreated pine, or fir Terra cotta pots Concrete Unused livestock water troughs (drill drain holes) Burlap filled with straw Straw bales 9 Safe Materials

10. Materials to Avoid Pressure-treated lumber or plywood Used tires Rail road ties Old bricks with paint 10

11. Test all non-municipal sources Transport water in food grade containers if it comes into contact with produce 11 Safe Water Sources

12. Best practice = No chemicals Contact local Cooperative Extension Office for pest control recommendations Maintain current Safety Data Sheets – Available from the manufacturer Follow manufacturer’s directions for all products 12 Chemicals and Fertilizers

13. Do not use raw or composted manure Consider purchasing commercially prepared compost Contact local Cooperative Extension Office for assistance with composting – Use only plants, such as fruit and vegetable trimmings, grass, leaves, and twigs – Avoid animal products, animal waste, and unseparated cafeteria waste – Consider vermicompost Wear gloves Locate compost pile away from sources of contamination 13 Compost and Manure Use

14. Successful and Safe School Gardens: Great Kids Farm 14 http://youtu.be/APuXKjfNi1M

15. Provide training Monitor handwashing and personal hygiene Clean and sanitize harvest containers Clean harvest tools 15 Growing and Harvesting Produce

16. Ask about growing practices Good Agricultural Practices should be followed Receive and inspect Store properly Maintain traceability 16 Using Garden Produce in School Meals

17. Communicate with stakeholders Check local and/or state regulations Discuss liability Maintain traceability 17 Fresh Produce Donations USDA Photo by Lance Cheung

18. School Garden Activity and Discussion 18