2023-2024 Course List

Course 100: HACCP

• The course is designed to certify individuals in HACCP principles and complete a HACCP risk analysis in accordance with the FDA HACCP guidelines.
• Training in HACCP principles either as part of formal qualifications or through the successful completion of a formal course based on the principles of the Codex Alimentarius (the formal course may be internal training by the CB). The minimum training duration shall be 16 hours.
• Compliance with all non-GFSI and GFSI food safety schemes.

Course 110: Advanced HACCP:

• Laboratory course designed to write or assess an organization’s HACCP program.

Course 120: Farm GlobalG.A.P HACCP: 

• A new course in the mechanics of a grower or farm HACCP program examining GAP.
• Uses GlobalG.A.P materials and meets GlobalG.A.P criteria for all schemes.

Course 200: Plant Protection***:

• Plant protection involves the storage, mixing, containerizing, training, application, spillage, regulatory requirements and other GLOBALG.A.P. scheme requirements. 
• Conforms to GLOBALG.A.P. auditor requirements.

Course 210: Soil Management ***:

• The development of a soil fertility program that considers the long-term nutritional needs of the crop and maintaining soil fertility in accordance with GLOBALG.A.P. requirements.
• GLOBALG.A.P. Biodiversity add-on suggested.

Course 220: Integrated Pest Management ***:

• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) reviews consideration of all available pest control techniques and the subsequent integration of appropriate measures that discourage the development of pest populations. keeps plant protection products and other interventions to levels that are economically justified and reduce or minimize risks to human health and the environment.
• Conforms to GLOBALG.A.P. requirements.

Course 230: Practical Farm Auditing:

• The GLOBALG.A.P. PHA checklist is used by the operation to complete the internal audit. Auditor requirements and responsibilities. The control points and compliance criteria (CPCCs) list all points covered by the standard and give additional guidelines for fulfilling the requirements. Report writing, interviewing techniques and along with corrective action techniques.
• Should be taken with the internal auditing course. Course 400: Internal (Review) Auditing
• Conforms to GLOBALG.A.P. requirements.

Course 240: Learn GLOBALG.A.P. HPSS:

• The GLOBALG.A.P. Harmonized Produce Safety Standard (HPSS) is a robust food safety standard that includes verbatim the Produce GAP Harmonization Initiative’s Harmonized Standards. Learn the standard and how it is applied.
• Conforms to GLOBALG.A.P. requirements for auditor applications. 

Course 250: Hops:

• The course reviews the IFA standard for hops covers responsible farming practices at all stages of production, including traceability, workers’ health, safety, and welfare, propagation material, soil management, preharvest evaluation, and harvest and postharvest activities tailored to hop production.
• Conforms to GLOBALG.A.P. requirements for auditor applications. 

Course 260: Combinable Crops:

• The Combinable Crops Standard Course and program for auditors covers: Propagation Material, Machinery and Equipment, Crop Protection, Harvesting as well as Harvested Crop Handling.
• Conforms to GLOBALG.A.P. requirements for auditor applications. 

Course 270: Flowers and Ornamentals:

• The IFA standard and course for flowers and ornamentals is a global standard for responsible farming practices that covers all stages of production, from preharvest activities such as soil management and water use to plant protection, product application, and workers’ well-being.
• Conforms to GLOBALG.A.P. requirements for auditor applications. 

Course 280: Fertilization/Fertigation:

• One of the important decisions in crop production is deciding how much fertilizer you should apply. Fertilizer application focuses on meeting the nutrient needs of the crop you’ll grow. Apply too much fertilizer and potential profits are reduced. Apply too little fertilizer and there is not enough production. To meet the nutrient needs and produce a profitable crop, you’ll need to create a fertilizer plan.
• This includes spending some time understanding the soil and the available nutrients within it. You’ll also learn about the available forms of fertilizer and the methods of applying them to the soil. Using the information collected from both the soil and the available fertilizer options, you’ll begin to create a fertilizer plan for the farm. And finally, understand what the costs are in the plan and their impacts on farm revenue.
• Conforms to GLOBALG.A.P. requirements for auditor applications. 

Course 290: Food Hygiene Training for Auditors

• This is a new course that covers GLOBALG.A.P. required subjects of Course 101: Plant Protection, Course 210: Soil Management, Course 280: Fertilization/Fertigation, Course 220: IPM.
• Prerequisites for this Course include HACCP, PCQI, PSA Certification and auditing experience.
• Conforms to GLOBALG.A.P. requirements for auditor applications. 
• 32-hour Course that is fulfilled by the completion of the above individual Courses.

Course 300: Social Audit Auditing Certification:

• How to audit social schemes. Includes clause review, application of standards, interviewing, and implications of the law, regulations, and industry requirements. See Course 400: Internal (Review) Auditing is suggested for additional study.

Course 400: Internal (Review) Auditing:

• Internal auditing includes scheme clause review, evidence, interviews, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and preventable actions. 
• Course 410: Lead Assessor Training is suggested for additional study.

Course 410: Lead Assessor Training ***: 

• Learn quality management system audits on behalf of Conformity Assessment Bodies (CAB’s) or Certification Bodies (CB’s) for contract work conducting certification audits. Assess an organization’s quality management system against the ISO 9001:2015 requirements in the role of a Lead external or internal auditor. Obtain awareness of the processes that an organization should be taking to address and correct quality nonconformances. Write, review, and provide feedback on quality management system audit reports. Obtain awareness of the processes that an organization should be taking to develop, implement, maintain, and continually improve its quality management system. Document nonconformances within an external audit report
• The lead assessor training course shall cover applicable standards on quality auditing, auditing techniques, focus of the audits (psychological aspects and communication), and reporting, and it shall also include a practical case study.
• Conforms to GLOBALG.A.P. requirements for lead assessor training.

 Course 500: Train the Trainer ***

• Traditional Train the Trainer Certification course in how to develop and teach Courses in any subject or industry.

Course 600: Basic Indoor Agricultural Course:

• This course is designed for the beginner and the basics as seen through the operation of a GLOBALG.A.P food safety and quality scheme.

Course 610: Advanced Indoor Agriculture Course:

• This course is designed for the individual looking to work in the indoor agricultural field. Qualified individuals are interviewed for their preferences and sited in actual indoor agricultural operations for training in the most important aspects of indoor operations.

Course 620: Indoor Agriculture Professional Certificate Course:

• This course is a mix of those core subjects that form the basis of an Indoor Agriculture Professional. A counselor and the student determine the mix of courses required to become an Indoor Agriculture Professional.

Course 630: Indoor Growing Overview:

• This Course is designed to provide the professional with an overview of the industry. Includes lighting, equipment, growing systems, water, fertilization, environment, testing and many other vital systems. Includes visits to Indoor Ag Con show and Indoor Growing sites.

 Course 700: Cannabis Professional Courses:

• Course 701: Cannabis Occupational Safety and Health Certificate Program
• Course 702: Cannabis Ergonomics Certificate Program
• Course 703: Cannabis Product Safety Certificate Program
• Course 704: Cannabis Talent Optimization Certificate Program
• Course 705: Cannabis Compliance Certificate Program
• Course 706: Medical Cannabis Certificate Program
• Course 707: Cannabis Business and Cost Reduction Planning Certificate Program

The above courses are taught through a contractual agreement with IMPACT.com.

Course 800: Produce Safety Preventable Controls for Human Food ***

• The Preventative Controls for Human Food Final rule is examined with regard to facility registration, updated good manufacturing practices, employee qualifications and training, hazard analysis, risk-based preventative controls, food safety plans and related activities. 
• Conforms to GLOBALG.A.P. requirements for auditor applications. 

Course 810: Basic Auditor Training and Certification ***:

• This course teaches the prospective auditor the job of inspecting restaurants, grocery stores, and other businesses that grow, process, store, handle, serve food to ensure they meet all quality and sanitary regulations or ISO (GFSI) requirements for food.
• A food safety auditor must have relevant education and certification to demonstrate the knowledge and skill required for the role. A food safety auditor typically has a bachelor’s degree or higher in food science, microbiology, nutrition, or a very closely related field. A minimum experience requirement is also needed in the area to be audited and associated work experience. 
• The course is suitable for all entry level inspectors and auditors. 

Course 820: How to Prepare for an Audit:

• Actions to be taken in advance of an any scheme audit (PGFS, SQF, BRC, GLOBALG.A.P. and other GFSI audits) to refine an already established and validated food safety program.
• Applicable to any operation in the food supply chain.

Course 900: Microbiology for food, farm, seed, indoor growing and cannabis.

• Course 901: Fresh Fruits and Vegetables ***
• Course 902: Seed
• Course 903: Indoor Growing
• Course 904: Cannabis 
• Course 905: Water
• Course 906: Farm

Course 910: Setup, Sampling, Operation, Training and Record Keeping of a PCR Laboratory:

• A complete course in the total operation of a PCR laboratory in a food facility including requirements for ISO 17025 compliance. 
• May be applied to any PCR equipment.

Course 920: PCR Technician Operations Course (12 Vignettes)

• Courses designed for the setup, operation, sampling, and troubleshooting of AME Certified Laboratories PCR systems. 
• These short vignettes are free of charge.
• These vignettes are for beginners, refresher training and instruction on the AME Certified Laboratory System.
• Vignette 1: PCR Laboratory Setup
• Vignette 2: PCR Laboratory Operations
• Vignette 3: Sample Collection
• Vignette 4: Sample Preparation
• Vignette 5: Sample Testing
• Vignette 6: Troubleshooting the qRT-PCR Data Interpretation
• Vignette 7: Calibration Alert for the Cepheid Smart Cycler Block
• Vignette 8: Conformation Protocol for the qRT-PCR Data
• Vignette 9: Error Code Reset Steps
• Vignette 10: Technical Assistance
• Vignette 11: PCR Certifications

Course 1000: Global Agricultural Auditor Professional Certificate

• A certificate that combines the core courses noted above with a triple asterisk (***) for a Food Safety Professional Certificate.
• May be converted to an AA degree with additional educational courses.