Remote Grower Training Delivery Policy

Version 13, Updated: May 23, 2023

Background

In April 2020, the PSA temporarily amended its policy for PSA Grower Training delivery, allowing a remote delivery option to provide grower access to courses to meet § 112.22(c) of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule. This was in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to comply with World Health Organization (WHO), United States federal government, and other guidance that encouraged social distancing strategies to slow the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Previously, trainings were only allowed for in-person delivery.

Policy Amendment

In May 2023, the PSA amended its policy for PSA Grower Training delivery, allowing remote delivery to become a permanent option.

The policies outlined below provide options for remote delivery. They include detailed requirements that must be followed if the PSA Grower Training Course is delivered remotely. The PSA Team is available to support remote deliveries of the PSA Grower Training and to answer any questions. 

Fact sheet: Remote PSA Grower Training Delivery Policy: Lessons Learned and Recommendations for Future Courses (November 2023)
This factsheet highlights the results of an assessment of the remote delivery policy, based on a comparison of evaluation data from PSA Grower Training Course sessions delivered in-person (2019) and remotely (2021).

For Growers: How to Register for a Remote PSA Grower Training

  • Select a remote delivery course from the upcoming course list. Filter by “Remote delivery”.
  • Select the registration link (if available), or contact the course organizer for more information.
  • Ensure that you are able to meet the technology requirements outlined below prior to registering for the course. If you have questions about specific technology requirements, contact the course organizer.

The remaining parts of this policy are directed towards PSA Trainers and Lead Trainers interested in hosting remote PSA Grower Trainings.  Growers and other interested training participants may find the information useful and are encouraged to read the whole policy.

For Trainers: How to Register and Host a Remote PSA Grower Training

  • Review the information below to ensure you are able to meet the requirements to host a Remote PSA Grower Training.
  • Register courses by filling out the AFDO Grower Registration Form.

Remote Delivery Course Options, Registration, and Advertising

  • Entirely Remote: Courses can be offered using a web-based platform where all participants are remote.  In this case, course registration information must outline what technological requirements (i.e., functioning computer or mobile device with video and audio capabilities, strong internet connectivity) and individual capabilities (e.g., ability to log in, utilize video, audio, and engagement functions like chat boxes and polls) are required by the participants.
  • Hybrid Remote: Courses may continue with an in-person gathering, but the PSA Trainers or Lead Trainers may deliver from a remote location.  In this case, there must be someone in charge at the location where participants are gathering and additional technology should be in place to ensure all participants can hear the remote trainer and that the remote trainer can hear participants to allow questions to be answered. Please note, if in-person trainings are to be conducted, they should follow  CDC Guidance for sanitation and social distancing, as well as any relevant state or local requirements.
  • The PSA Lead Trainer(s) must provide clear and prominent language in the course advertisement(s) and registration information that the course is to be delivered remotely. As noted above, all advertising and registration information must include equipment and software needed by participants to meet the training requirements. 
  • The course advertisements and registration also must include a reminder that participants must be present during all modules of the course to receive the PSA/AFDO Certificate of Course Completion and that attendance and engagement will be monitored throughout the remote delivery.

Remote Course Delivery Requirements

These established PSA Grower Training Course policies apply.
Please reference the Train-the-Trainer Manual Course Information section.

  • Lead Trainer Presence: The remote course must have at least one Lead Trainer present to monitor the delivery through the web-based interface during the entire course delivery.
  • Registration of Courses:  See instructions above. Use the AFDO Grower Training Registration Form to register a remote PSA Grower Training.
  • Maximum Course Attendance: A 30 participant maximum for Remote PSA Grower Trainings will be enforced (effective October 16, 2020). Feedback from evaluations indicates that smaller courses result in better learning outcomes, especially for courses hosted remotely using technology such as Zoom or Go-to-Meeting. This policy does not affect in-person courses.
  • Use of Manuals:  Printed PSA Grower Training manuals must be provided to each course participant. Lead Trainers are responsible for ensuring all course participants have a printed manual at the start of the course. If participants do not have a printed manual at the start of the course, they will not be eligible for the PSA/AFDO Certificate of Course Completion. Electronic files must not be used in place of a printed manual.  Trainers may not require or allow participants to print their own copy of the manual.  Here are two shipping options:
    • Trainers may order bulk manuals through the bookstore using our standard bookstore order form, then ship the manuals directly to participants.
    • Remote Shipping Option: Trainers may order manuals through the bookstore that are shipped directly to individual participants through the bookstore using our Grower Manual Order Form for Remote Delivery.
      • Trainers will be able to order an entire course worth of manuals and provide each participant’s mailing address so the bookstore can mail them individually. Cost per manual will be $50 each plus shipping and specific state tax. 
      • The trainer is responsible for paying all bookstore costs including manuals, shipping, and taxes.
      • Trainers must not tell participants to order their own books from the bookstore since there is no way for the bookstore to know what course these participants belong to or to ensure they receive the manual before the course begins.
      • Shipping individual manuals outside the USA is not supported by the bookstore. Trainers for international courses will need to make their own arrangements to make manuals available to remote participants.
  • Course Evaluations: Course evaluations must be provided to all participants. The evaluation for remote courses is now an electronic Qualtrics survey and will be provided in the AFDO registration confirmation. Each remote PSA Grower Training evaluation will have a unique URL which attaches the data to your course ID. DO NOT reuse the Qualtrics evaluation URL for multiple courses. The evaluation URL must be provided to participants at the beginning of the course. PSA Trainers are expected to review the process for filling out the electronic evaluation with course participants in order to ensure a return rate of at least 50%. Evaluations must be submitted electronically within one week of the course conclusion.  PSA will review course evaluations and reserves the right to revise or rescind the remote delivery option for individual trainers or teams should evaluations indicate this is in the best interest of training participants.  All PSA Lead Trainers registered on the course are responsible for ensuring that at least 50% of training evaluations are returned and that course policies and protocols are followed. lf the evaluation return rate is below 50% for three courses, the PSA Lead Trainer status of all Lead Trainers associated with the courses may be revoked for delivery of remote PSA Grower Training Courses only. 
  • Participant Attendance: In order to be eligible for the PSA/AFDO Certificate of Course Completion, participants must be present for all PSA course modules. In order to monitor this requirement, participants must have video capability and there must be someone on the training team who is monitoring the course participants during the training. See additional details below.
    • If participants have technical difficulty or internet connectivity issues that impact the quality of the training delivery or prevents them from attending one or more modules, they will not be eligible for the PSA/AFDO Certificate of Course Completion and must be directed to attend another course in full. The same applies if a participant is not engaged in the course or does not return to the web-platform after breaks.  Participants may not sign up for an additional course and only attend the modules they missed during the first course. They must attend another course in its entirety in order to be eligible for the PSA/AFDO Certificate of Course Completion.  
    • The Lead Trainer may use discretion as to whether they are willing to “catch up” a participant who has an extenuating circumstance which prohibits them from attending the entire course.  One option is to have a one-on-one catch-up session after the course concludes. The PSA highly recommends this option only if the participant missed two or fewer modules.
    • All remote courses must appoint a course monitor to verify participant engagement and attendance.
      • This course monitor must take attendance at the beginning of the course and periodically throughout the course, such as after breaks, to ensure all participants are present and engaged. The course monitor must also keep track of participant engagement through the video functionality of the web-based interface.
      • The training team can alternate serving as course monitor while they are not presenting, or an administrative assistant may serve as the course monitor.
  • Multi-Day Delivery: Just as with in-person delivery, multi-day delivery of the course using a remote platform is acceptable. The Lead Trainer must ensure attendance of all participants during each of the course modules.

Technology Requirements

  • Audio/Visual: PSA Lead Trainer(s) and participants must have visual and audio contact through the entire course (e.g., use video conferencing software such as Zoom, Webex, Adobe Connect, or GoToMeeting), with participants visible via webcam and able to unmute their microphones to speak. This means the web-based platform must include a two-way video and audio component and all participants must have functioning video cameras, speakers, and microphones and/or headsets that are used during the entire course. Each participant and trainer will need access to a computer and internet connectivity with sufficient speed and consistency to fully engage. Broadband (>25 Mbps download, >3 Mbps upload) is recommended. If computers or tablets are not available, the use of smartphones will be allowed in remote PSA grower training courses.  
  • Technical Support: PSA Lead Trainer(s) must ensure that at least one individual on the delivery team is capable of handling the web-based interface. This role includes proper use of the technology, consistent internet connectivity, ability to troubleshoot technical issues that arise during the course such as audio connectivity and display of PowerPoints, use of chat boxes, and other technological features.
    • The individual assigned to technical support can be the PSA Lead Trainer or another member of the teaching team (if multiple trainers are involved), but it is strongly recommended that the role is managed by an additional person so that the PSA Lead Trainer and PSA Trainers can focus on delivery of the content. Remote participants that have technological problems may need extra support, so there should be a plan in place to ensure these individual issues do not disrupt the entire course. A best practice is to invite participants to join the platform 30 minutes prior to the start of the training to check their connectivity or host a practice session before the training.
  • Hybrid Format: In the case where several participants are in one location (e.g., classroom gathering) and the PSA Lead Trainer is remote (e.g., using web-based technology from their office in another part of the state), the on-site trainers or administrative assistant must ensure the presenter can be heard and can hear questions from the audience.
    • If the PSA Lead Trainer is offsite, they must be able to hear all presentations and all questions.  Ideally, participants would be able to see the PSA Lead Trainer so they can ask questions directly.  This may mean passing around a microphone for questions or having participants come to a central area of the room to ask questions so all remote trainers can hear the questions and respond to them. Equipment such as a Meeting Owl, Polycom CX5500, or other 360 degree meeting cameras may help facilitate these interactions.

Course Audits & Lead Trainer Responsibilities

  • PSA reserves the right to conduct course audits to ensure the effective delivery of the curriculum materials and that all PSA policies are being followed.
    • This may include PSA team members being granted access to log in to the online course or contacting course participants directly to elicit feedback on the course quality and trainer effectiveness.
  • PSA reserves the right to suspend and/or permanently revoke the ability to host remote courses for all PSA Lead Trainers involved in the remote course if information from evaluations, other trainers, or participant comments indicate that PSA policies were not followed.

Best Practices & Suggestions for Engagement

Hosting web-based courses presents many challenges to both the educator and the learner. Here are some key considerations as PSA Lead Trainers and training teams consider and/or plan for a remote course delivery.

  • Select a web interface that you and your team are familiar with and conduct at least one test run with the training team.
    • Some examples of common web interfaces include Zoom, WebEx, Adobe Connect, and GoToMeeting.  A specific platform is not required, but the platform that is used must have both audio and video functionality for all participants.
  • As noted above, allow participants to log in to the meeting for a test run prior to the course to ensure their connection works and does not cause delays in the delivery of the material.
  • At the start of the course, briefly review and practice how to mute and unmute audio, as this could significantly impact the quality of the course and ability for participants (and trainers) to hear the presentations and discussion.
  • Be sensitive to participant privacy concerns. Some web interfaces may include a functionality where the video of individual participants is only shared with the trainers and facilitators, but not with other participants. This can help maintain participant privacy and reduce distraction, as they may be attending courses in their homes, but still allow trainers to confirm participation and engagement.
  • Make use of best available technology.  Audio-visual technology such as Meeting Owl, Polycom CX5500, or other 360 degree meeting cameras could improve the trainers’ ability to see, hear, and connect with participants that elect to gather as a small group in a remote location.
  • Foster interaction between the instructor and course participants. The training team should incorporate multiple forms of engagement through verbal discussions, chat or Q&A box activities, interactive polling, short video clips, or other forms of online engagement. Currently-available training activities can be adapted for online use. A few examples are provided below.

Questions & Support

The PSA team is available to answer any questions that you may have about this policy. In addition, the PSA team can help you work through any remote delivery concerns you may have as a participant or as a trainer. If you need additional PSA Lead Trainers, consider visiting the PSA Trainer directory or contact the PSA team and we will do our best to accommodate you.