The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) is offering scholarships of $100 to Southern Maryland farmers/producers who successfully complete the acidified foods training program “Understanding Acidified Foods Workshop for Small Food Processors” to be held at Prince George’s County University of Maryland Extension at 6707 Groveton Drive, Clinton, on November 30, 2015. The full cost of the training is $250.
SMADC’s Acidified Foods Training Scholarship is offered to farmers/producers in the five county area of Southern Maryland (Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s and Prince George’s counties). The scholarship award is integral to SMADC’s on-going initiatives to identify new and emerging agricultural enterprises that offer potential for profit and increased sustainability for the region’s farms.
SMADC works closely with state DHMH and other federal and local regulatory agencies to help farms navigate successfully through complex acidified foods certification and offers several online tutorials to assist with DHMH ‘on-farm processor’ licensing requirements at www.smadc.com. To download the SMADC Acidified Foods Training Scholarship Application, visit the News and Announcements page at www.smadc.com, or call SMADC staff at: (301) 274-1922, Ex. 1.
The Acidified Foods Workshop provides farmers with special training in food safety and process regulation to manufacture acidified foods (pickles) mandated by Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To register for the training workshop contact Prince George’s County UME, Norma Fitzhugh at (301) 868-8780. Registration must be received by November 20, 2015.