Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria in Diverse Farming Systems, the Environment, and Variation According to Farming Practices

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), both in human and veterinary medicine has reached alarming levels in most parts of the world and has now been recognized as a significant emerging threat to global public health and food security. Pursuing research on the distribution and spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria on agricultural lands and fresh foods will provide data, insights, and tools needed to understand and effectively mitigate antimicrobial resistance in the food systems. Therefore, the long-term goal of this research is better understand the persistence, and distribution of antibiotic resistance factors among indicator and pathogenic bacteria from farms, fresh foods, and the environment.The specific objectives of this study are to:Determine the prevalence and correlation of antibiotic resistant bacteria on fresh produce from farms and farmers marketsCharacterize multidrug-resistantbacteria in diverse animal farming systems, the environment, and variation according to farming practicesCollect data on antimicrobial practices in cattle and poultry farms inthe State of Tennessee