Expansion and Integration of Fsma Education and Outreach For Beginning and Socially Disadvantaged Sustainable Organic Producers

Specific Food Safety Education and Training Requirements of Target Audience: Our Audience requires access to customized Bilingual Land Based Experiential Food Safety Education, Training and TA that integrates FSMA guidelines to improve the success of their beginning farm businesses. Access includes services being offered in both English and Spanish by trusted educational partners in multiple formats. For beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers, an audience adapted and comprehensive approach to Food Safety Training is appropriate. This training (a proposed 3-week short course) would cover general topics such as Traceability and Worker Health and Hygiene, followed by Farm Reviews, Field Harvest and Packing, Packing Shed Facility, Storage and Transportation. This resource would also be incorporated into the ongoing onsite cohort practicum training and incubator TA, and also 2 bilingual outreach and educational videos using course material and clips for all topics.The project goal is
to expand bilingual food safety education and outreach while integrating new guidelines established under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) for beginning and socially disadvantaged sustainable organic producers. This goal will be achieved through four objectives. 1. Enhance partnerships of local non-profit Viva Farms, land-grant university Washington State University (WSU), Washington State University Skagit County Extension (WSU Ext.) and Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). 2. Develop, adapt and implement food safety education and outreach integrating FSMA guidelines that can be utilized nationally. 3. Increase coordination and access to food safety education and outreach that removes barriers to participation of the target audience. 4. Increase food safety knowledge, skills and practices consistent with FSMA guidelines of target audience.Outreach and Promotion Plan: Partners will coordinate bilingual outreach using social media, network partners, list serves,
print and radio marketing to reach the greatest possible percentage of our target audience.Use existing curriculum and resources: We will utilize existing education and training material such as "Bridging the GAP's", "Handbook for Small and Direct Marketing Farms", and "Wholesale Success" to develop and deliver curriculum and make course materials and delivery bilingually accessible.Outcomes: The project is expected produce the following outputs: 1. Increased and effective partnerships between non Viva Farms, WSU, WSDA, Regional Centers, NCC, USDA and FDA, 2. Expansion, Development and delivery of new two 3 week short courses, and curriculum inclusion in ongoing practicum courses and Incubator TA. 3. Increase in number of trainers with the knowledge and experience to effectively train our target audience during and after the grant period. 4. Increased bilingual materials and resources available in several delivery methods including Spanish Versions of "Bridging the GAP's". 5.
Increase the number of target audience producers receiving education and improving knowledge, are committed to, or have implemented Food Safety Practices. 6. Two Outreach and Educational Food Safety Videos.Adaptation and Availability of communities: Other similar farming communities will be able to access, learn from and adapt their approaches as a result of this project. If we are able to hit our goals and objectives with the close collaboration of our key partners, communities can look to our activities, outputs and outcomes for strategic planning.