PQA Plus® is an educational program representing the industry’s commitment to continuous improvement of production practices. It addresses food safety, animal well-being, environmental stewardship, and public health issues. This program consists of a two hour course and exam offered to all producers in the Northeast at no charge. In addition to the classroom component, there is a site assessment. This puts what you’ve learned in PQA Plus and applies it to your own farm. For more information or to schedule a class, contact us at info@northeastpork.org.
Transport Quality Assurance® is a program made possible through the National Pork Board that helps swine transporters, producers and handlers understand how to handle, move and transport pigs and the impacts that those actions can have on pig well-being and pork quality. Anyone who handles or transports pigs is encouraged to take this course. Contact us for more information at info@northeastpork.org.
Through the Northeast Pork Association (NEPA), youth have access to Youth for the Quality Care of Animals program. The mission of the program is to demonstrate “the dedication of America’s youth pork producers and their Advisors to assuring consumers that they are purchasing pork that is safe, of high quality and produced in a responsible manner.” We encourage all youth ages 8 (as of January 1) and older become certified in YQCA. The program is broken down for different age groups to ensure that the level is appropriate for each child. For more information or to arrange for an online or face-to-face training, please contact us at info@northeastpork.org or 603-504-2679.