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
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	Scott Jerrell VCE-Scott, ANR Agent sjerrell@vt.edu	GAP food safety plan writing and on-farm preparation for certification in Far Southwest Virginia.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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 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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.

Related Links

FAQ On Farm Food Safety