Produce Safety

Field Team Members

Field Team Members represent on-the-ground VCE agents and community partners engaged in the Fresh Produce Food Safety Team’s broad outreach efforts.

Name Expertise
Bowen

Eric Bowen
VCE-Nottaway, Area Food Safety Agent
bowen@vt.edu

Assistance with direct market materials, collaborator with on-farm and marketplace food safety trainings, and GAP certification preparation in Central Virginia; Additionally offers Home Canning Classes; Trainer in the FDA approved Produce Safety Alliance curriculum for the FSMA Produce Safety Rule.
Cooper

Jason Cooper
VCE-Rockingham, ANR Agent
jbcooper@vt.edu

GAP on-farm food safety, plan writing, and certification training in the Shenandoah Valley; Trainer in the FDA approved Produce Safety Alliance curriculum for the FSMA Produce Safety Rule.
Council

Brittany Council
VCE-City of Richmond, 4-H Youth Development/Urban Agriculture Extension Agent
bcouncil@vt.edu

Contributions to programming and resource materials related to urban gardening and youth food safety.
Deitch

Ursula Deitch
VCE-Northampton, ANR Agent
utankard@vt.edu

GAP food safety plan writing and certification training on the Eastern Shore of Virginia; Trainer in the FDA approved Produce Safety Alliance curriculum for the FSMA Produce Safety Rule.
Edwards

Ashley Edwards
VCE-Carroll, ANR Agent
aledwards@vt.edu

GAP food safety plan writing and certification training in Southwestern Virginia; Co-author of USDA HGAP Plan of Action Manual and resources; Trainer in the FDA approved Produce Safety Alliance curriculum for the FSMA Produce Safety Rule.
Haynes

Carol Haynes
VCE-Franklin, FCS Agent
haynes04@vt.edu

GAP food safety plan writing and certification, post-harvest, and marketplace handling practices in south Central Virginia.
Jerrell

Scott Jerrell
VCE-Scott, ANR Agent
sjerrell@vt.edu

GAP food safety plan writing and on-farm preparation for certification in Far Southwest Virginia.
Long-Pittman

Theresa Long-Pittman
VCE-Accomack, ANR Agent
tpittman@vt.edu

GAP food safety plan writing and certification training on the Eastern Shore of Virginia; Trainer in the FDA approved Produce Safety Alliance curriculum for the FSMA Produce Safety Rule.
Nay

Laura Maxey Nay
VCE-Hanover, ANR Agent
luaram@vt.edu

GAP food safety plan writing and certification training in south Central Virginia; Contributions to development of Plan of Action Manual materials for USDA HGAP audit; Trainer in the FDA approved Produce Safety Alliance curriculum for the FSMA Produce Safety Rule.
Romelczyk

Stephanie Romelczyk
VCE-Westmoreland, ANR Agent
sromelcz@vt.edu

GAP food safety plan writing and certification training on the Northern Neck of Virginia; Contributions to development of Plan of Action Manual materials for USDA HGAP audit; Trainer in the FDA approved Produce Safety Alliance curriculum for the FSMA Produce Safety Rule.
Sastre

Beth Sastre
Loudoun Co-Commercial Horticulturist
flores69@exchange.vt.edu

GAP food safety plan writing and certification training in NOVA and urban settings; Contributions to development of on-farm food safety materials in Spanish, and Plan of Action Manual materials for USDA GAP and USDA HGAP audits; Trainer in the FDA approved Produce Safety Alliance curriculum for the FSMA Produce Safety Rule.
Sarah Weaver

Sarah Sharpe
VCE-Greene, ANR Agent
seweaver@vt.edu

On-farm and marketplace food safety, and GAP certification training in the Central Piedmont; Trainer in the FDA approved Produce Safety Alliance curriculum for the FSMA Produce Safety Rule.
Stoneman

Sandy Stoneman
VCE-Wythe, Area Food Safety Agent
sandyst@vt.edu

Assistance with direct market materials and collaborator with on-farm and marketplace food safety trainings in southwestern Virginia; Offers ServSafe and Home Canning Classes; Trainer in the FDA approved Produce Safety Alliance curriculum for the FSMA Produce Safety Rule.
Sutphin

Mark Sutphin
VCE-Frederick, Horticulture Agent
masutph2@vt.edu

Contributions to programming and materials related to food safety and GAP certification in tree fruit production arena, and food safety training collaborator; Trainer in the FDA approved Produce Safety Alliance curriculum for the FSMA Produce Safety Rule.
Vermaak

Stuart Vermaak
VCE-Loudoun, FCS Agent 
svermaak@vt.edu

Assistance with new business development; value-added products, winery, brewery and cideries; food safety education at farmers markets in NOVA; Trainer in the FDA approved Produce Safety Alliance curriculum for the FSMA Produce Safety Rule.
Villalba

Abigail Villalba
Extension Specialist Food Safety
Virginia Seafood AREC
villalba@vt.edu

Collaboration with post-harvest processing (i.e. HACCP, Good Manufacturing Practices) training, development Spanish-based resources, and general support; Trainer for the FDA approved Preventive Controls for Human Food Rule.

FAQ On Farm Food Safety