Main Content
Learn how to safely harvest, handle, and store produce from your urban garden/farm so you can share, sell, or donate it with confidence.
Price
$45
Registration Closes
May 17, 2026
Course Start
May 18, 2026
Course End
June 7, 2026
Tentative In-Person Workshop
May 30, 2026 (subject to adjustment)
Who Should Take This Course
This course is designed for people who are actively growing food in an urban setting and want to safely share, sell, or donate their produce. It is especially helpful for growers working in community gardens, nonprofit farms, school or faith-based gardens, and small or emerging commercial operations. Participants should currently have access to a garden or farm space, since course assignments will involve applying lessons to your own site.
Course Objectives
This course teaches the basics of food safety for urban growers using research-backed practices taught by subject matter experts. You will learn how to reduce risks, protect your crops, and handle food safely—from planting to harvest to storage.
You will learn how to:
- Spot common food safety risks in urban growing spaces
- Use safe practices for soil, water, and compost
- Harvest, wash, and store produce safely
- Create a simple food safety plan for your own garden or farm
- Understand basic food safety guidelines like Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)
Course Format
This hybrid course combines online learning with hands-on practice:
- Two online classes (self-paced): Each class includes a series of short videos, resources, discussion board conversations, and quizzes you can complete on your own time
- At-home activities: Apply what you learn to your own growing space
- Optional online office hours: Chat with the instructor about your questions in real time online during designated office hours if you want extra support.
- One in-person workshop: Join us for an interactive, on-site workshop where you’ll see course concepts in action on an urban farm. You’ll have the chance to learn from experienced growers, connect with others in the program, and explore how these practices work in real-world settings. Final details, including location and specific activities, will be shared with registered participants before the workshop.
Time Commitment
About 8-10 total hours over 3 weeks, including:
- ~2-3 hours of online lessons
- ~1.5 hours of at-home activities
- 4–6 hour in-person workshop
You can complete the online portion when it works for your schedule until the course ends.
Meet Your Instructor
Meredith Melendez is the agricultural agent for Rutgers Cooperative Extension in Mercer County, New Jersey. She provides outreach and education to growers in Mercer County, with a focus on diversified small farms, and supports producers across the state on produce safety practices. Her work includes training growers on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), preparation for third-party food safety audits, and compliance with the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule. As part of Rutgers’ award-winning on-farm food safety team, Meredith has helped train thousands of growers and agricultural professionals in practical, research-based approaches to safe produce production.
Why This Course Matters
If you grow food for others—whether you sell it, donate it, or share it—food safety is important. This course helps you:
- Protect the people who eat your food
- Build trust with customers, partners, and your community
- Develop professional skills in safe practices used by growers and food programs
What You’ll Walk Away With
By the end of the course, you will have:
- A basic food safety plan that you prepare for your own site using a provided template
- Knowledge and skills you can use right away in your garden or farm
- A Rutgers certificate of completion to show your training and knowledge
- Connections with fellow growers and instructors who can share ideas, experiences, and encouragement
- Continued access to course content even after the course ends so you can reference helpful resources whenever you want
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to complete all coursework by the course end date to get my certificate?
Yes. You will need to complete all required coursework with a passing grade and participate in the in-person workshop by the course close date to receive your certificate of completion. Class lessons will be released during the first two weeks of the course; the third week is for you to catch up on any coursework you weren’t able to finish earlier.
If I don’t pass an assignment at first, can I fix it and resubmit it?
Yes. If you do not pass an assignment on your first attempt, you will have the opportunity to review feedback, make improvements, and resubmit your work. Our goal is to help participants learn the material and build real skills they can use in their garden or farm. We want you to succeed in the course and earn your certificate of completion.
Where will the in-person workshop be held?
We are finalizing the workshop location now and will share confirmed details as soon as possible. We anticipate the workshop to be held within north or central Jersey this year.
Have more questions?
Contact Carenny Reyes.