The university of california, davis aims to enhance access to biosecurity information and improve foreign animal disease (FAD) prepa redness for small-scale farmers, ranchers, and producers,…

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded the University of California, Davis a $498,215 cooperative agreement on November 1, 2025, under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025).

UC Davis will conduct a survey to identify barriers and challenges to delivering outreach and assistance to diversified, small-scale commercial farms, and will evaluate existing biosecurity tools used by small-scale and diversified farms across the United States. The recipient will establish a California Extension Biosecurity Network and create a train-the-trainer program focused on farm emergency response, animal disease outbreak prevention, and disaster management. These activities aim to enhance access to biosecurity information and improve foreign animal disease preparedness for small-scale farmers, ranchers, and producers managing multiple species on their premises.

Performance of work occurs across the United States, with the period of performance running through October 31, 2027. The award benefits small-scale farmers, ranchers, and producers in California and neighboring states by strengthening on-farm biosecurity and preparedness, building local resilience to disasters and emergencies, ensuring a safe food supply, and protecting rural livelihoods and economic opportunities.

The university of california, davis aims to enhance access to biosecurity information and improve foreign animal disease (FAD) prepa redness for small-scale farmers, ranchers, and producers, especially those managing multiple species on their premises. A survey will be conducted to identify barriers and challenges to effectively delivering outreach and assistance to diversified, small-scale COM mercial farms. Additionally, the project will evaluate existing biosecurity tools used by small-scale and diversified farms across the united states. A california extension biosecurity network will be established as part of the initiative. The project will also create a train-the-trainer program focused on farm emergency response, preventing animal disease outbreaks, and disaster management. By implementing these preparedness strategies, producers in california and other states will be able to safeguard their farms. This project benefits small-scale farmers, ranchers, and producers in california and neighboring states by strengthening on-farm biosecurity and preparedness for animal disease outbreaks. The project will build local resiliency to disasters and emergencies, ensure a safe food supply, and protect the livelihoods and economic opportunities of ranchers and rural communities.