Develop and pilot a FAD prevention and response training program for U.S. Producers for imparting real-life guidance on how to prevent and respond to FAD events on their own premises

The goal is to help livestock producers feel more familiar with and involved in the FAD response process, as well as reinforce the importance of the producer role as a key figure in FAD prevention. The recipient will develop a module-based curriculum on FAD prevention, response, and recovery in collaboration with leading experts in veterinary medicine, public health, and industry. The recipient will create training materials for program implementation using a train-the-trainer approach. The complete program (instructor training and module delivery) will be piloted and evaluated for effectiveness and feasibility. Deliverables include: 1) a needs assessment and report focusing on current producer perspectives on FAD management and emphasizing effective delivery strategies for maximizing participation; 2) train-the-trainer materials; 3) module content for producer education; 4) an evaluation report for both course pilots; and 4) a final evaluation report. Outcomes of the project include: 1) increased producer knowledge and skills pertaining to fads, regulatory response, and their own roles in FAD prevention and response, including biosecurity; surveillance, contingency operations during an outbreak, and specific FAD response activities (3-d) that producers can perform on their premises; 2) a user-friendly FAD training course that can be easily incorporated into already existing producer training opportunities (e.g., university and high school classes, cooperative extension community meetings, industry producer associations, livestock quality assurance programs, on-site farm personnel, etc.); 3) certification opportunity to demonstrate producer competency in FAD prevention and response; and 4) an improved relationship between sahos and producers based on mutual understanding of respective roles and responsibilities during an FAD outbreak. Beneficiaries of the proposed project include: 1) the producers engaged in the training; 2) sahos and other animal health officials who will build better relationships with producers; and 3) communities and the nation as a whole who may benefit from enhanced biosafety, biosecurity, disaster resiliency, and food security. There are no expected subrecipients for this award.