Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** this proposal aims to build a…

Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** this proposal aims to build a collaborative infrastructure in the southeast to support food safety modernization act (FSMA) compliant training, education, and extension outreach to the produce industry. The proposed southern center (SC) includes participation from land-grant institutions in AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, and VA. The center will lead, manage, and coordinate regional assistance programs targeted at owners and operators of small and medium-sized farms, beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers, small food processors, and small fruit and vegetable merchants. In addition to land-grant institutions, partnerships with state and local regulators and community-based and non-governmental organizations will be leveraged to maximize training effectiveness and delivery opportunities. The objectives are as follows:1) develop a cadre of FSMA lead trainers/instructors and support the delivery of regional and stakeholder-specific education, training curricula, and technical assistance programs in the southern US.2) coordinate a regional communication strategy to discuss ongoing efforts and best practices for FSMA-related training, education, and technical assistance.3) create strong partnerships with representative government and non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, and tribal organizations to build capacity and strengthen collaboration within the southern US.4) evaluate the impact of SC education and training through ongoing program assessments.programs will focus on helping audiences understand FSMA regulations and implement systems to meet all current requirements to ensure a safe produce supply. In addition, UF will serve as the lead institution for all four regional centers and will facilitate communication and information sharing between the centers.