Home garden certificate is now accessible online

Local gardeners will be able to sell or donate eligible produce
The Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office last week announced the launch of an online program to allow local gardeners to sell or donate their eligible produce.
The free online program creates a way for school gardens, community gardens and home gardeners to legally sell or donate their produce in compliance with state regulations.
“One of the most important factors to both a healthy community and a strong economy is connecting our local farmers and gardeners with consumers,” said Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Chairman David Rabbitt, in an announcement of the new program.
“This innovative program will bring together those who grow local healthy foods with the community,” said Rabbitt. “We will all benefit from the increased access to healthy foods.”
Starting next week the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office will be hosting two informational meetings about the program, one on April 16 and another on May 13 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Agricultural Commissioner’s conference room located at 133 Aviation Boulevard, Suite 110 in Santa Rosa. “All interested gardeners are encouraged to attend,” said Jim Leddy, the county’s Community and Governmental Affairs Manager.
In collaboration with the Sonoma County Department of Health Services and the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE), the online self-certification program supports goals outlined in the Sonoma County Healthy and Sustainable Food Action Plan, “and reflects the county’s ongoing commitment to supporting locally grown healthy foods and increasing access for consumers,” said Leddy.
On the website, gardeners can read a brief introduction to the program and proceed to the online registration form. After agreeing to follow 16 best management practices related to food safety and completing the required registration information, the gardener receives an Approved Produce Gardener Certificate. Once completed, the gardener can save an electronic copy of their certificate and print copies to accompany their produce when sold or donated, said Leddy.
The registration form requires gardeners to list the location of their garden as well as the commodities they produce. Under state only raw unprocessed fruits, nuts, vegetables and herbs grown in Sonoma County and listed in the registration form are eligible for receiving a Gardener Certificate.
Products not eligible to be donated or sold under the state Retail Food Code (CalCode) are: mushrooms, olive oil, honey, eggs, meat (including poultry), sprouts, canned or jarred products, and any processed foods such as roasted nuts, jams, or baked goods.
Certificates are valid for one year from the date of issue. The website also includes a link to “frequently asked questions” that explain the program in more detail.
Go to the following website to register for one of the informational meetings as space is limited: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/360310.
The Approved Produce Gardener Certificate website can be accessed at https://secure.sonoma-county.org/agcomm/produce_gardener/