COMMUNITY NEWS

DOVER - The Delaware Department of Agriculture is offering two one-day courses in March to help farmers growing fruits and vegetables comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule.

"About one in six Americans gets sick each year from foodborne illness," said Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse. "The Food Safety Modernization Act is a proactive approach to prevent these foodborne illnesses by strengthening the food supply. These training sessions will help farmers to recognize and eliminate risks, learn how to implement different safety practices, and allow them to connect with experts on developing their farm food safety plan. We want to help Delaware farmers meet the requirements of the Produce Safety Rule so that consumers know they are purchasing the freshest, highest quality fruits and vegetables that are safe to eat."

Fruit and vegetable growers who want to learn about produce safety, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), how to begin development on a food safety plan and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule are encouraged to attend one of the upcoming Delaware FSMA Produce Safety Rule Training and Produce Safety Updates workshops:

? March 3 - Delaware Department of Agriculture, 2320 South DuPont Highway, Dover.

? March 22 - University of Delaware Carvel Research & Education Center, 16483 County Seat Highway, Georgetown.

Each workshop is from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided and registration is free.

Register by emailing Anna Wicks at anna.wicks@state.de.us or by phone at 698-4582.

Community association living focus of March 1 informational workshop

ROXANA - Downstate General Assembly members Sen. Gerald Hocker and Rep. Ron Gray will host an informational workshop meeting on community association living Thursday, March 1.

The workshop will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Roxana Volunteer Fire Company, located at 39452 Zion Church Road.

Sen. Hocker and Rep. Gray, in conjunction with the Delaware Department of Justice's Common Interest Community Ombudsman, legal representatives and Sussex County government officials, will present information on the Ombudsman's Office, the Delaware Uniform Community Interest Ownership Act (DUCIOA) and the county's role as it pertains to community oversight.

Attendees are encouraged to come prepared to discuss their concerns and learn how to resolve them.

Although the workshop is fee, seating is limited. To register call 577-8600 or email cic.ombudsmandoj@state.de.us and include full name and address.

Light refreshments will also be provided.

Sen. Hocker will be live streaming the meeting on his Facebook page for those who cannot make it in person.

Rick Grier-Reynolds to conduct 3-week course

LEWES - The Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware and Rick Grier-Reynolds will conduct a three-week course on Economic Inequality: Realities and Remedies. The course will be held March 5, 12, and 19 from 1:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. at UUSD, 30486 Lewes Georgetown Highway in Lewes.

This three-session, student-centered experience will look at both the current realities and possible remedies around economic inequality in the United States today. Students will be involved in diagnostic analysis and prescriptive solution building.

Advance registration is required by emailing adulteducation@uussd.org with "Economic Inequality" in the subject line. A one-time $10 donation is requested.

For more information contact Len Bowman at 443-286-3495 or adulteducation@uussd.org.