Cultivate Kentucky Parternship Expansion

The goals of the Cultivate Kentucky Partnership expansion increase understanding and adoption of on-farm food safety practices by small and medium-sized farms, beginning farmers, and socially disadvantaged farmers engaged in specialty crop production through a collaborative network of multi-platform technical assistance. This project emphasizes development of multi-media and in person educational materials, trainings, and other technical assistance for water testing and interpretation, and culturally appropriate educational materials and curriculum for Plain Community growers.Objective 1: Provide multi-platform andmulti-media educational materials and technical assistance tosmall and mid-sized specialty crop growers that a) Provide Cooperative Extension Agents with readily accessible resources for addressing grower questions and training needs on key topics relative to FSMA implementationand on-farm food safetyb) Assist growers in understanding the application of the FSMA rule to their farm enterprise and b) Assist farmers incompletingand implementinga food safety plan for their farm enterprise.Objective 2: Develop a comprehensive plan for effective implementation of education and outreach for pre and post-harvest water quality testing, interpretation, and mitigation by a) inventory and map all appropriate water testing facilities in the state b) notify testing facilities of upcoming changes and recommended reporting formats c) providing hands on and multi-media educational opportunities for growers that demonstrate proper water testing, interpretation of test results, and possible hazard mitigation strategies.Objective 3: Develop andpilot culturally appropriate FSMA educational and training materials for Plain Community growers by a) collaborating with an Amish lead produce auction leadershipin therevision and/or development of community specific FSMA related educational materials and trainings for implementation with Plain Communities b) providing specific technical assistance in the development of a culturally appropriate and technically sound strategy for timely water testing implementation among plain community growers. ?