Training Workshops Offered for On-Farm Poultry and Rabbit Processing Certification

ANNAPOLIS, MD (February 21, 2012) – To help farmers meet growing consumer demand for local meats, the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) in partnership with the University of Maryland and Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission will conduct a training workshop for on-farm poultry and rabbit slaughter and processing.

Training will be conducted March 23 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the University of Maryland Extension, Community Resource Building, 30 Duke Street, Conference Room 105, in Prince Frederick.  Registration check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. Additional training sessions are planned for late March in Annapolis and on April 27 in Western Maryland. The training fee is $20 and includes lunch and materials. Registration deadline is March 16.  Download a copy of the registration form.

This workshop is part of a voluntary certification program to assist small poultry and rabbit operations to meet the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s approved source requirements to sell poultry and/or rabbit (off-farm) at farmers’ markets or to restaurants and retailers in Maryland.

Workshop participants will learn to recognize diseases of public health concern, take basic biosecurity measures, write and implement basic Standard Sanitary Operating Procedures, develop Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point plans, and properly dispose of offal and waste water.
To become certified for off-farm sales, producers must:

• Complete the training;
• Pass a brief test at the training;
• Submit an application for certification along with a $75 annual fee; and
• Be inspected by MDA. (Note: MDA inspectors will conduct an inspection at least once per year to verify that producers are following food safety requirements.)

For more information, call Sherry Weygant at 410-841-5769 or email: [email protected]. Space is limited, so register early. Learn more about Maryland’s Poultry and Rabbit Program.