Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** underserved growers need access…

Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** underserved growers need access to qualified trainers they trust who can provide produce safety trainings and technical assistance to support them as they meet regulatory and market expectations, while increasing their understanding of how to reduce microbial risks to the produce they grow. This project will develop produce safety alliance (PSA) trainers that work with underserved growers and provide opportunities to expand trainer technical expertise. Trainers supporting hispanic growers, developing professionals focused on serving african american and tribal growers, and individuals serving small, rural farm owners will be recruited to participate in a three-tiered PSA training. IT will equip trainers with an understanding of the produce safety rule requirements, how to assess microbial risks associated with fresh produce production, how to effectively deliver trainings, and an experiential learning opportunity to apply food safety concepts in real life scenarios. A dynamic peer network will be created by facilitating interactions between the three cohorts through quarterly meetings that encourage collaboration and peer learning. The objectives and activities address the USDA-nifa collaborative education and training projects. The program will 1) support the expansion of multi-state food safety education and outreach programs to address common food safety concerns and 2) develop and modify food safety training curricula to meet new fsma rules for agricultural systems with an emphasis on assisting underserved communities. The project team is located throughout the U.S. To ensure recruitment from underserved communities nationwide. This grant will cover participation and travel expenses for participants and be evaluated to assess its impact.