DATCP to Provide Tuition Reimbursement for UW-Madison HACCP Training

MADISON, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Madison will be hosting a Basic Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) for Meat and Poultry Establishments Short Course March 1-2, 2023 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Meat Science & Animal Biologics Discovery building. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) will be providing tuition reimbursement for qualifying participants that reside in Wisconsin through the Meat Talent Development Program, a $5 million program created by Gov. Tony Evers to connect the meat processing industry with potential employees.

The training will discuss HACCP principles and the development and implementation of HACCP plans and programs,including new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) regulations for meat and poultry establishments. This course will include topic presentations, provide a hands-on opportunity to develop HACCP program components, and satisfy the training requirement specified in the 1996 Pathogen Reduction/ HACCP regulation. Participants that complete the training will receive a certificate of completion, and their name will be added to a registry of HACCP trained individuals that is maintained by the International Meat and Poultry HACCP Alliance.

The registration fee is $550 per person and includes training materials, handouts, and lunch. After February 12, 2023, the registration fee will increase to $600 per person. Participants that reside in Wisconsin can request tuition reimbursement through DATCP’s Meat Talent Development Program during check-in at the event. Tuition reimbursement is limited to three participants per meat establishment. The training is limited to 60 participants. Registration will remain open until the course is filled. Find additional information and register at https://meatsciences.cals.wisc.edu/event/basic-haccp-for-meat-and-poultry-short-course/. Questions about the training should be directed to University of Wisconsin-Madison Meat Science and Animal Biologics Outreach Program Manager Colleen Crummy at (608) 263-4891 or colleen.crummy@wisc.edu.

Tenth Annual Guitar Festival Concert

Featuring Leonela Alejandro & Gohar Vardanyan

Saturday, February 4th, 7:00 p.m.

10th Annual Guitar Festival and Concert

Join us for the Tenth Annual Guitar Festival Concert highlighting the winners of our Youth Competition and featuring solo performances by internationally renowned guitarists Leonela Alejandro and Gohar Vardanyan! This concert concludes the festival featuring a youth guitar competition, master classes with international talent, and workshops focusing on classical guitar technique, construction, and maintenance.

Special Concert Pricing: $10.00 PURCHASE TICKETS*Please note that all ticket sales are final.

About our Featured Soloists:

Leonela Alejandro

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Leonela  began her formal musical education when she was just seven years old. She later became a student of Maestro Iván Rijos at the Escuela Libre de Música de San Juan and then at the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico, where she completed the first two years of her undergraduate studies. In 2018, Leonela transferred to the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee to complete her Bachelor’s degree with Professor René Izquierdo. Leonela has received prizes in various level categories at festivals including Boston Guitar Fest, Le Domaine Forget and Chicago Guitar Festival & Competition to name a few.

Gohar Vardanyan

Widely admired for her technique, artistry, and passionate performances Armenian-American guitarist Gohar Vardanyan has performed throughout the United States and internationally. She has appeared on National Public Radio in the United States and Radio Nacional in Argentina. Ms. Vardanyan has performed with the Juilliard Opera Center and as a soloist with the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra and Panama National Symphony Orchestra. She has also been a guest artist at International Guitar Festivals in Sweden, Italy, Panama, Canada, and Mexico. In addition to her performing career, Ms. Vardanyan is an avid teacher. She maintains a private studio in New York City and frequently teaches master classes and guitar technique workshops during her concert travels.