Further the creation, distribution and enhancement of videos, signage, and other outreach materials to urge international travelers to declare all agricultural items (plant and animal material) when…

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded the Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Florida a $473,000 cooperative agreement on February 1, 2026, under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025) to create, distribute, and enhance outreach materials urging international travelers to declare agricultural items upon entry to the United States.

The recipient will rebrand and refresh program materials under a new "Prepare and Declare" campaign, including brochures, bookmarks, activity books, and educator kits, and develop a comprehensive brand toolkit with color palette, typography, and logos. Work includes producing and distributing branded promotional items such as luggage tags and power banks; designing and producing new outreach booth kits with templates for partner use; replacing signage at domestic and international ports of entry and providing signage design and installation as requested by USDA and Customs and Border Protection; and participating in community events across Florida and at least one major travel industry show. The recipient will expand university partnerships from four to ten institutions and create toolkits and pre-departure kits for study abroad programs. Multimedia content deliverables include developing videos for social media and airports, redesigning and optimizing the program website for the new brand, and improving search engine optimization.

Performance period runs from February 1, 2026, through January 31, 2027, with all work performed in Florida. The funding supports agricultural health protection for Florida and the United States against harmful plant pests and foreign animal diseases.

Purpose

The purpose of this agreement is to further the creation, distribution and enhancement of videos, signage, and other outreach materials to urge international travelers to declare all agricultural items (plant and animal material) when traveling into the united states. This effort will help protect florida's agricultural industry, as well as U.S. Agriculture and natural environments, against the possible introduction of harmful plant pests and foreign animal diseases.

Activities

The cooperator will carry out the following activities: rebrand and refresh materials: redesign all program materials under the new "prepare and declare" campaign, including brochures, bookmarks, activity books, and educator kits; develop brand toolkit: create a comprehensive brand kit with color palette, typography, logos, and usage guidelines for partners; produce promotional items: purchase and distribute branded items (e.g., luggage tags, pens, power banks) to expand program reach and reinforce messaging; upgrade outreach booths: design and produce new booth kits (backdrops, banners, tablecloths) and templates for partner use; expand event presence: participate in community events across florida and at least one major travel industry show to increase awareness; strengthen partnerships: replace signage at ports of entry, develop a partnership toolkit, and audit existing sites for effectiveness; support offshore and U.S. Ports: provide signage design, installation, and program audits for domestic and international ports as requested by USDA and customs and border patrol (CBP); grow university engagement: increase university partners from 4 to 10 and create toolkits and pre-departure kits for study abroad programs; produce multimedia content: develop videos for social media and airports; contract additional video production for outreach; enhance digital presence: redesign and optimize the program website for the new brand, improve SEO, and maintain hosting and analytics; expand advertising: design and negotiate placement of ADS in travel magazines, airline media, and digital platforms; boost social media strategy: manage dynamic social media content, coordinate with partners, and create engaging posts using photos, videos, and graphics. Deliverables and expected outcomes: funding will enable florida department of agriculture and consumer services (FDACS) to continue the DON't pack a pest outreach and awareness campaign. FDACS will create and distribute high-quality media across multiple platforms to educate travelers and residents about invasive pests and the risks of transporting agricultural products that could introduce harmful pests and diseases. Intended beneficiary(IES): this program will help protect florida's agricultural production and natural environment by fostering informed, cooperative behaviors among key stakeholders and travelers, reducing the threat of invasive pests and diseases statewide. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: none.