Develop a work-based learning experience program (WBLP) for community college students that will build upon previously developed course materials in the area of on-farm enhanced biosecurity plan…

Develop a work-based learning experience program (WBLP) for community college students that will build upon previously developed course materials in the area of on-farm enhanced biosecurity plan development and implementation. IT is essential that food-animal farms be ready with enhanced biosecurity plans to help protect against the spread of diseases. IT is critical that students have the opportunity to apply the classroom-taught concepts in a farm setting to practice analyzing the premises to identify biosecurity risks, and create mitigation strategies required by the secure food supply (SFS) enhanced biosecurity program. Work-based learning experiences included in this project will include working on farms and job shadowing personnel at the california department of food and agriculture (CDFA). Activities completed during the project include the development of at least three complete SFS enhanced biosecurity plans for farms participating in the project. Plans will be developed cooperatively with UC davis staff/faculty, farm staff, and community college faculty and students, with input from CDFA personnel. Activities will also include working with the community college system in california to develop the work-based learning experience program for students. Program objectives will be written, a timeline for completion will be designed, and relationships with cooperating farm operations in california and neighboring states will be forged. Teaching resources will be created using the developed SFS enhanced biosecurity plans that will be added to the curriculum that was previously developed. Curricular resources will be made available to other college instructors for adaptation to their courses. Students and project personnel will present at educational conferences on this work, and an article describing the process will be published in a professional journal. The beneficiaries of this program include students who will gain marketable skills in the area of on-farm biosecurity. Colleges will continue to expand programs in agriculture. Farms will receive free expert consultation and completed SFS enhanced biosecurity plans. Both farmers and CDFA may benefit in the future from students wishing to continue work following the work-based learning experience. The workforce pipeline will be increased as students have these valuable real-world experiences.