By Ollie Cultrara & Kim Burns, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
Visual training is an educational tool that can be beneficial for anyone, but it is especially useful for learners with language or literacy barriers. Farms that train their employees on food safety policies have found visual materials to be helpful tools to teach and reinforce food safety concepts. In the Farm Feature series, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Produce Program highlights practices that fruit and vegetable growers use to enhance food safety, increase efficiency, protect product quality, and improve employee satisfaction. This month, we’re featuring Champlain Orchards, grower of more than 150 varieties of apples and fruits on 757 acres in Shoreham.
Visual Worker Training
Champlain Orchards hires 58 seasonal workers every year to work in their orchards and packing facility. Their crew includes U.S.-based workers and H-2A temporary agricultural workers from other countries, all with different English reading and writing skills.1 Language barriers can prevent successful food safety training. Simon Wurst, the Food Safety and Plant Manager of Champlain Orchards, has found that image-based slides help overcome these barriers and enhance learning. The slides contain minimal words and are shown on a screen for larger groups. They can also be displayed in a binder for smaller groups. Images are then supplemented with verbal training and discussion.
Caption: Champlain Orchards' visual training materials use photos and illustrations to depict key food safety concepts and policies workers must follow.
Why it works
Wurst explains that by using images, trainees are more engaged. The trainees ask questions and share concerns for each topic discussed. Wurst says the presentation also opens people up to provide suggestions for improvements. The training guarantees the employees are on the same page with food safety policies and practices. It also ensures Champlain Orchards is compliant with food safety regulations and customer expectations.
Taking the next step
For more information about on-farm food safety and resources for effective worker training, visit agriculture.vermont.gov/produce. Get in touch with the Vermont Produce Program at AGR.Produce@vermont.gov