Specialty crop growers are welcome to participate in a Good Agriculture and Collection Practices (GACP) Training hosted by the Ontario Lavender Association to be held April 17, 18 and 19 from 6 to 9 pm via Zoom. Space is still available. The training is being led by Connie Kehler, Executive Director of the Canadian Herb, Specialty Agriculture and Natural Health Products Coalition (CHSNC). Cost is $350 including taxes.

Participants must be on camera and present for all three sessions and are expected to participate in discussions. Participants will receive a certificate of completion and will be considered certified in GACP for 1 year. For many growers, the certificate is all that is needed. However, if participants wish to remain certified in the program (e.g., wholesale customers require it) an annual audit is required at the participant’s expense.

Why take the GACP Course?

Evaluating and addressing risk in your operation should be front and centre.  Your customers need that confidence and your banks and insurers insist on it.  Not only is it important to have risk management in place but it is important to be able to prove you do.  Good Agriculture and Collection Practice training not only helps you address your risks but also helps you prioritize them and put practices in place to mitigate them.  In addition GACPs helps you prove you are doing so without burying yourself in paperwork. Successful completion of this course not only rewards you with a certificate of training completion but shows your customers, your banker and your insurer that you are well on your way to making risk management a priority for your business.

If you are interested or have any questions about the training please email me at sean.westerveld@ontario.ca. I can connect you with the Ontario Lavender Association for payment. Payment must be received prior to the first session on April 17.