Progress 09/01/15 to 08/31/18
Outputs
Target Audience:Attendees of certified Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) and Food Safety Preventative Control Alliance (FSPCA) training courses and workshops conducted in the Western Region of the United States, who are intending to obtain food safety training to comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act. Individuals in the US Western Region receiving Train-The-Trainer instruction for PSA and FSPCA certified courses who are affiliated with Land Grant Universities. Stakeholder groups including state and local regulators, and community-based and non-governmental organizations that are also organizing and delivering PSA and FSPCA food safety courses. Operators of small- and medium-sized farms, beginning farmers, socially disadvantaged farmers, small food processors, and small fruit and vegetable merchant wholesalers affected by the FSMA rules. Changes/Problems:The launch of the WRCEFS required convening a team of food safety training facilitators across large distances of 13 western states and 2 territories, with teams of people who never worked together before, to develop a training infrastructure. This was accomplished after learning about the specific food safety challenges, determining regional training needs, and setting goals to address training gaps and develop new add-on materials to the curriculum. In hindsight, there was a considerably greater training demand for PSA courses, rather than FSPCA for Human Foods courses. Greater food safety training emphasis is needed at the on-farm level. As a result, the biggest challenge was the need to quickly adapt to PSA training demand and scheduling delays as the courses were concurrently being developed and finalized to comply with the produce safety rule. There remains a long lag time for PSA Trainers to achieve Lead Trainer status. We are working closely with PSA regional coordinators to reach out to Trainers that completed PSA TTT courses and help them overcome barriers for obtaining the Lead Trainer status. For two of the sub-regions, add-on project funds were received late and the resulting budget difficulties hindered the actual development of resources and delivery of community outreach. Despite these difficulties, however, all project PIs achieved their project objectives and deliverables. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?A total of 10 Food Safety Preventive Control Alliance (FSPCA) PC Human Food Train-the-Trainer courses were held in the Western Region, and resulted in more than 252 Lead Instructors for FSPCA PC Human Food rule. Either directly or indirectly, these trainings provided Lead Instructors that were able to conduct Preventive Control Qualified Individual (PCQI) training throughout the Western region and/or the country. A total of 23 PSA Train-the-Trainer courses were held in the Western Region since September 2016, facilitating trainings in the Produce Safety Rule for over 1,400 individuals, and producing 74 Lead Trainers. The WRCEFS goal is to have coverage of PSA Lead Trainers in each state; at the end of the grant, all were covered except Guam, Utah, and Nevada. WRCEFS annual meeting held in March 2018 in Davis, California provided opportunity for updates on regional activities and activities of other Centers, Alliances, NCC, FDA and USDA; progress reports and add-on projects updates; networking; and to provide opportunity for discussions and planning regarding the future directions and activities of the Center. WRCEFS provided updates at in-person NIFA FSOP project directors meetings at the Southern Regional Center meeting on January 2018 in Savannah, Georgia; the Produce Safety Technical Advisory Council meeting in February 2018 in Albuquerque, New Mexico; the International Association of Food Protection Annual meeting in July 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah; and at Virginia Tech University in August 2018 in Blacksburg, Virginia. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The Western Regional Center's FSCPA and PSA courses have been advertised on the Center's website, (http://agsci.oregonstate.edu/wrfsc), OSU's Food Innovation Center's webpage and Facebook page, PSA website, and our Sub-Regional partners' websites. Results have been disseminated through FSMA training sessions and related educational activities. Various stakeholder groups and individuals have participated in the training, educational, and informational activities including: food processors, regulators, growers, and educators/trainers. Other modes of disseminating results include: Food safety websites in the sub-regions Extension publications Popular and social media Talks and discussions with the community, groups, and the general public FSMA training sessions and related educational activities Webinars, conferences, field days, community events and fairs, and in-service trainings Minutes and highlights from the annual meeting were shared with the attendees, and "on-request" basis. To communicate the Western Regional Center's activities and resources as part of Objective 2, the Western Regional Centerwebsite is active, located at http://agsci.oregonstate.edu/wrfsc. The website provides information on: The Western Regional Center National Center and other regional Centers Outreach and training for upcoming FSPCA and PSA workshopsin the region Contact information for Western sub-regional partners Contact information for PI, co-PIs and people working with the Western Center FDA Updates and Center Updates sections where links to FSMA-related news is hosted Resource tab includes a link where add-on curriculum will be shared The role and activities of the Western Regional Center have been presented at events and scientific conferences in order to disseminate the goals and activities of the Center, and bring awareness about FSMA-related activities in the Western Region. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
OBJECTIVE 1 Results of Food Safety Preventative Control Alliance (FSPCA) Training A cadre of 252 Lead Instructors for FSPCA Preventative Controls for Human Foods was developed. Through the established WR food safety networks in 13 western states and 2 territories, a total of 10 FSPCA Preventative Controls for Human Food (PCHF) train-the-trainer (TTT) courses (7 in year 1, 2 in year 2, 1 in year 3) were conducted for a total of 260 participants. Of these, 5 FSPCA PC Human Food courses were directly facilitated by WRCEFS (150 participants). The Southwest sub-region provided financial support to seven individuals to obtain PC Lead Instructor certification. Other trainings in the region were hosted by stakeholders with WRCEFS members participating: FSPCA PCHF TTT courses (Year 1: 7; Year 2: 2; Year 3: 1) (*) Indicates trainings directly facilitated by WRCEFS Date Number of Participants Nov. 2015 - Washington* 29 Feb. 2016 - California 30 Mar. 2016 - California* 33 Mar. 2016 - California* 29 Apr. 2016 - California 19 Jul. 2016 - Oregon* 33 Oct. 2016 - California 15 Apr. 2017 - California 22 Sept. 2017 - Colorado 24 Aug. 2018 - Washington* 26 FSPCA Lead Instructors trained who were directly associated with the WRCEFS: Mountain sub-region: 8 Northwest sub-region: 16 Pacific sub-region: 3 Southwest sub-region: 14 WRCEFS members also facilitated trainings or instructed Preventative Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) courses in their sub-regions. For example, over 200 PCQI certificates were issued in the Southwest sub-region supported by WRCEFS-sponsored Lead Instructors, and over 280 PCQI certificates in the Pacific sub-region. Following are the total number of PCQI courses offered in the Western region: PCQI Training Courses Number of Participants Mountain sub-region: 164 2,304 Northwest sub-region: 194 3,197 Pacific sub-region: 29 292 Southwest sub-region: 521 7,571 Results of Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Training A cadre of over 554 Trainers for the Produce Safety Alliance were achieved in the WRCEFS region, of which 74 were Lead Trainers. These lead instructors facilitated multiple PSA Grower courses during year 3 of the project.Through the established WR food safety networks in 13 western states and 2 territories, a total of 23 Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) TTT courses were delivered. Of these, 8 Produce Safety courses were directly facilitated by WRCEFS. WRCEFS members also trained growers through PSA integrated and grower trainings in their regions. A total of 52 grower trainings were delivered in the Mountain sub-region, 16 trainings in the Northwest sub-region (456 grower certificates), 6 trainings in the Pacific sub-region (178 grower certificates), and 25 trainings in the Southwest region (755 grower certificates). PSA TTT courses: (Year 1: 0; Year 2: 11; Year 3: 12)(*) Indicates trainings directly facilitated by WRCEFS Note: Four of these trainings were in Mountain region in 2018 (Colorado 1, Montana 1, New Mexico 2) Sep. 2016 - Arizona* Oct. 2016 - New Mexico* Oct. 2016 - Colorado* Nov. 2016 - California Nov. 2016 - California Nov. 2016 - Oregon* Jan. 2017 - Washington Feb. 2017 - Hawaii* Mar. 2017 - California* Apr. 2017 - California Jun. 2017 - Oregon* Sept. 2017 - Montana Oct. 2017 - Arizona Oct. 2017 - California Nov. 2017 - Washington Nov. 2017 - Utah March 2018 - Washington* March 2018 - New Mexico March 2018 - New Mexico May 2018 - California June 2018 - Hawaii June 2018 - Hawaii Aug 2018 - California PSA Lead Instructors directly associated with the WRCEFS: PSA Training Courses Number of PSA Trainers Mountain sub-region: 7 77 (15 Lead Trainers) Northwest sub-region: 3 15 (4 Lead Trainers) Pacific sub-region: 2 60 (6 Lead Trainers) Southwest sub-region: 5 20 In addition, the WRCEFS Hosted PSA Water Summit remote sessions in California, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, and Colorado in February 2018. OBJECTIVE 2 The Annual WRCEFS meeting was organized and hosted by the Southwest Sub-region and held at the Univ. of California-Davis in March 2018 with 53 attendees from all participating sub-regions and states/territories within WRCEFS, plus representatives from the other regional centers and USDA-AFRI. Roadmap for the development of add-on curriculum was created to supplement standardized FSPCA and PSA curricula specific to the needs of the Western U.S. Add-on curriculum projects (10) developed and completed by WRCEFS: Sanitation Basics (OSU, U. Idaho, WSU) Translation of U Arizona Ag Water App and UC Davis Excel Ag Water Tool into Spanish (University of Arizona) Flow charts for on-farm value added processing (UC Davis, CAFF) Aquaponics and intensive containerized hydroponics: Monitoring and Record-Keeping Training (WSU, OSU, U. Idaho) Digital Repository of photos for supplementing Food Safety Training (UC Davis) Food Safety Education for the Cottage Industry and Farmer's Market Groups (U. Hawaii, U. Guam, CSU) Small Farm Agricultural Water Monitoring and Treatment Multilingual Training Videos (U. Hawaii, College A. Samoa, U. Guam) Introduction to FSMA and Basic Food Safety and Preventive Controls Education for Small and Very Small Scale Food Processors ("Pre-FSMA/PCQI training"; OSU, U. Idaho) Food Safety Plan for Breadfruit Flour (U. Hawaii, U. Guam, Hawaii Dept. Ag, ASCC) Regionally relevant training materials were developed for commodities grown in the Southwest sub-region. A PC method was developed for Ent. Faecium surrogate to validate a pistachio roaster process for small pistachio processors. The WRCEFS developed productive partnerships and relationships with 6 NGOs: in Native American Samoa Advisory Council (American Samoa), Local First (Guam), Hawaii Farm Bureau (Hawaii), Hawaii Food Manufacturers Association (Hawaii), Ag Safe (California), and Tilth Alliance (Washington). Additional materials and initiatives: - The Southwest sub-region has worked closely with NGOs (AgSafe and Community Alliance with Family Farmers, CAFF), providing funds to support the Spanish translation of a food safety webinar series and to support AgSafe PSA Grower training courses. In collaboration with WRCEFS, the Southwest sub-region provided funds to support the translation of a food safety webinar series into Spanish and support AgSafe PSA Grower training courses. AgSafe developed a series of webinars and tailgate training materials for growers' and processors' health and hygiene. - Pacific sub-region has developed an instructional video to address non-English speakers for the installation, use, and monitoring of field water treatment systems. The video is being translated into 6 different languages common to non-English speaking farmers in the Pacific, including Thai, Lao, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Tagalog, and Ilocano. OBJECTIVE 3 New add-on training materials were developed immediately preceding termination of the grant, so there was not sufficient opportunity to evaluate their use in training. This phase will be implemented during the continuation of the WRCEFS grant. Evaluation questions were developed and vetted with WRCEFS attendees at the 2017 annual meeting to evaluate the add-on curricula developed by WRCEFS. Draft questions were shared with other Regional Centers, NCC, Alliances, and attendees of monthly WRCEFS calls. During the release of new add-on training materials, standardized rubrics will be developed with the other Regional Centers for their evaluation. Subject-matter experts and PSA and/or FSPCA trainers will be recruited to participate in ad hoc committees to evaluate and review the add-on materials and alternate curricula as required. To assess the impacts of the new curricula and the program outcomes in the Western Region, standardized evaluation protocols will be developed and implemented in collaboration with the other Regional Centers and the National Coordination Center.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/16 to 08/31/17
Outputs
Target Audience:Attendees of training courses / workshops offered in the Western Region of the United States for obtaining certified training in Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) and Food Safety Preventative Control Alliance (FSPCA) to comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act. Individuals in the Western Region receiving Train-the-Trainer instruction who are affiliated with Land Grant Universities. Stakeholder grpups including state and local regulators, and community-based and non-governmental organizations that are also developing and delivering PSA and FSPCA food safety courses. Operators of small and medium-sized farms, beginning farmers, socially disadvantaged farmers, small food processors, and small fruit and vegetable merchant wholesalers affected by FSMA rules. Changes/Problems:While significant progress has been made with training PSA Trainers across the Western Region, some states still have low numbers of PSA Lead Trainers. We are working closely with PSA regional coordinators to reach out to trainers that completed PSA TTT courses and help them overcome barriers for obtaining the Lead Trainer status. Additionally, in some states trainers involved in FSMA training activities are also involved in FSMA activities funded by state department of agriculture collaborative agreements. This creates a need for more strength in this area for training food safety professionals, but with unique staffing challenges to deliver the training. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?A total of 9 Food Safety Preventive Control Alliance (FSPCA) PC Human Food Train-the-Trainer courses were held in the Western Region, and resulted in more than 200 Lead Instructors for FSPCA PC Human Food rule. Either directly or indirectly, these trainings provided Lead Instructors that were able to carry on Preventive Control Qualified Individual (PCQI) training throughout the western region and/or the country. A total of 11 PSA Train-the-Trainer classes have been held in the Western Region since September 2016, facilitating trainings in the Produce Safety Rule for 328 individuals. Lead Trainers are available in each sub-region. The WRCEFS goal is to have coverage of PSA Lead Trainers in each state, which is presently being addressed through ongoing and planned regional training activities. Annual meeting held in March 2017 in Honolulu, Hawaii, provided opportunity for building professional relationships, networking, learning about regional activities, collaborations and capacity building, and meaningful discussions. WRCEFS provided updates at two in-person meetings for NIFA FSOP project directors: WR meeting in Boise, ID and Southern Region meeting in Orlando, FL in May 2017. These meetings provided personal connections with five USDA food safety outreach competitive grants awarded in 2016 in the western region to assist producers who are impacted by the new FSMA food safety guidelines. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The Western Regional Center's FSCPA and PSA courses have been advertised on the Center's website, OSU's Food Innovation Center's webpage and Facebook page, PSA website, and our Sub-Regional partners' websites. Results have been disseminated through FSMA training sessions and related educational activities. Various stakeholder groups and individuals have participated in the training, educational, and informational activities including: food processors, regulators, growers, and educators/trainers. Minutes and highlights from the annual meeting were shared with the attendees, and "on-request" basis. To communicate the Western Regional Center's activities and resources that will be developed as part of Objective 2, the Western Regional Centerwebsite is active, located at http://agsci.oregonstate.edu/wrfsc. The website provides information on: The Western Regional Center National Center and other regional Centers Outreach and training for upcoming FSPCA and PSA workshopsin the region Contact information for Western sub-regional partners Contact information for PI, co-PIs and people working with the Western Center FDA Updates and Center Updates sections where links to FSMA-related news is hosted Resource tab is currently under development. It will include a link where add-on curriculum will be shared The role and activities of the Western Regional Center have been presented at events and conferences in order to disseminate the goals and activities of the Center, and bring awareness about FSMA-related activities in the Western Region (e.g. Produce Safety Alliance Educator's Call. July 25, 2017, webinar; International Association for Food Protection, July 12, 2017; Oregon State Bar Agricultural Law Section's 2017 Ag Law Round Up CLE. May 19, 2017. Dalles, OR; Southern Center Region Food Safety Outreach Project Meeting. May 10, 2017. Orlando, FL; FDA/USDA FSMA Collaborative Forum - Produce Safety Focus. April 27, 2017, webinar). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?New educational materials will be developed through eight add-on projects and other stakeholder initiatives to help in understanding and implementing FSMA regulations. A new section will be added to the WRCEFS website for the add-on curriculum and any other relevant educational materials. The International Association of Food Protection Annual meeting is scheduled for July 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah, within the Mountain States Sub-region, providing an opportunity for participants from the region and sub-regions to meet. WRCEFS annual meeting is planned in the late spring of 2018 in California to provide updates on regional activities and activities of other Centers, Alliances, NCC, FDA and USDA; add-on projects updates; and to provide opportunity for discussions and planning regarding the future of the Center.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
During 2016-17, progress was made in educating a wide variety of stakeholders with the regulations and requirements associated with FSMA, especially on the Produce Safety Rule, and continuing to establish a multi-state network to provide training opportunities and implementation guidance. A large focus was also placed on the development of the framework and planning for the add-on curriculum relevant to the Western Region (WR). OBJECTIVE 1 A cadre of over 200 Lead Trainers for FSPCA Preventative Controls for Human Foods was developed. Through the established WR food safety networks in 13 western states and 2 territories, a total of nine FSPCA PC Human Food (PCHF) train-the-trainer (TTT) courses (7 in year 1 and 2 in year 2) and 11 PSA TTT courses were delivered. Trainings with '*' were directly facilitated by WRCEFS; other trainings represent meetings in the region hosted by other stakeholders, with WRCEFS members participating: FSPCA PCHF TTT courses (Year 1: 7; Year 2: 2) Nov. 2015 - Washington* Feb. 2016 - California Feb. 2016 - California Mar. 2016 - California* Mar. 2016 - California* Apr. 2016 - California Jul. 2016 - Oregon* Oct. 2016 - California Apr. 2017 - California WRCEFS members also facilitated trainings or instructed PCQI courses in their regions. For example, 10 PCQI courses were delivered in the Northwest sub-region; 10 PCQI course were delivered in the Pacific sub-region; and in the Southwest sub-region. A cadre of over 328 Lead Trainers for the Produce Safety Alliance were achieved in the WRCEFS region.WRCEFS members trained growers through PSA integrated and grower trainings in their regions. Six grower trainings and 102 grower certificates were delivered in the Mountain sub-region, three in the Northwest sub-region (44 grower certificates), and three in the Pacific sub-region (90 grower certificates). The Southwest sub-region supported attendance of 18 individuals from Universities, Extension, and NGOs to attend PSA lead trainer courses; five individuals received financial support to pursue the lead instructor certification.These lead instructors are anticipated to facilitate multiple PSA Grower courses during year 3 of the project. PSA TTT courses: (Year 1: 0; Year 2: 11) Sep. 2016 - Arizona* Oct. 2016 - New Mexico* Oct. 2016 - Colorado* Nov. 2016 - California Nov. 2016 - California Nov. 2016 - Oregon* Jan. 2017 - Washington Feb. 2017 - Hawaii* Mar. 2017 - California* Apr. 2017 - California Jun. 2017 - Oregon* OBJECTIVE 2 Annual meeting was held in March 2017 in Honolulu, Hawaii, with 52 attendees from all participating regions and states/territories within WRCEFS. Roadmap for the development of add-on curriculum was created to supplement standardized FSPCA and PSA curricula specific to the needs of the Western U.S. Add-on curriculum projects being developed by WRCEFS: Sanitation and Environmental Monitoring Basics (OSU, U. Idaho, WSU) Flow chart for on-farm value added processing (UC Davis, CAFF) Aquaponics and intensive containerized hydroponics: Monitoring and Record-Keeping Training (WSU, OSU, U. Idaho) Development of Digital Repository for Food Safety Training Photos (UC Davis) Food Safety Education for the Cottage Industry and Farmer's Market Groups (U. Hawaii, U. Guam, CSU) Small Farm Agricultural Water Monitoring and Treatment Multilingual Training Videos (U. Hawaii, College A. Samoa, U. Guam) Introduction to FSMA and Basic Food Safety and Preventive Controls Education for Small and Very Small Scale Food Processors ("Pre-FSMA/PCQI training"; OSU, U. Idaho) Food Safety Plan for Breadfruit Flour (U. Hawaii, U. Guam, Hawaii Dept. Ag, ASCC) Additional materials and initiatives: Work is underway to develop regionally relevant training materials based on commodities grown in the Southwest sub-region. FSPCA PCQI trainings were developed and offered to support almond and pistachio processors in California in Years 1 and 2, and PSA Grower training for pistachio. The PSA curriculum was expanded to include content relevant to pistachio growers over 2.5 days. In Year 2, the pistachio PSA Grower training was offered once and will be offered twice during Year 3. The Southwest sub-region has worked closely with NGOs (AgSafe and Community Alliance with Family Farmers, CAFF), providing funds to support the Spanish translation of a food safety webinar series and to support AgSafe PSA Grower training courses. AgSafe's mission is to advance the food and farming industries commitment to a safe, sustainable workforce and food supply, by providing practical education and resources. AgSafe delivers FSMA and food safety training to growers and processors and is developing add-on materials for the standardized FSMA training curricula. Similarly, CAFF is a California-based nonprofit organization that builds sustainable food and farming systems through local and statewide policy advocacy and on-the-ground programs to initiate institutionalized change. In collaboration with WRCEFS, CAFF is developing a series of flow charts to aid the farmer in determining state and federal regulations that apply to their operation. Two recorded webinars were produced in collaboration with the Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association and the Colorado Department of Agriculture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qdri_fsQcFI&feature=youtu.be. Supplemental educational materials included three online modules and a fillable template to guide the process of building a Farm Food Safety Plan: http://farmtotable.colostate.edu/grower-resources.php#.WaC7eLKGOUk A white paper was developed and made accessible online to clarify how organic operations are impacted by FSMA requirements and to provide guidance for growers: Uchanski, M., Bunning, M., Quinn, J. March 2017.The Intersection of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and the National Organic Program (NOP): http://farmtotable.colostate.edu/docs/fsma-paper.pdf Pacific region is working with regional NGOs to develop food safety education materials for tropical fruits, regional food production, and diseases in tropical regions linked to foods (e.g. rat lungworm disease). Educational materials developed for rat lungworm disease include: Extension publications for growers and gardeners; training materials for growers and pest control applicators; educational materials on prevention and keeping produce safe for the general public; UH Farm Food Safety website for general public and growers; training materials on rainwater catchment systems in Hawaii for homeowners and catchment system installers; video training series to address "how to" for pre-FSMA and GAP; video training on field water treatment systems. Other activities include development of Foreign Supplier Verification Program workshops, support for the food industry in the development of food safety plans, and conducting HACCP courses for large food retailer vendors. A website (http://agsci.oregonstate.edu/wrfsc) was developed and launched to introduce the center and its goals, provide activity updates, and disseminate future results. Links to updates from FDA, Alliances, and other Regional Centers were included. A new "Resource" tab is presently being developed to host WRCEFS add-on curricula and link it to others from Alliances and Regional Centers. OBJECTIVE 3 Evaluation questions in the pre-test survey to evaluate the add-on curricula developed by WRCEFS were piloted at the annual meeting. Draft questions were shared with other Regional Centers, NCC, Alliances, and attendees of monthly WRCEFS calls. Pilot survey data and feedback are being analyzed. Survey questions are expected to be finalized by the end of 2017. Once add-on materials are developed, PSA and/or FSPCA trainers will be recruited to participate in add-on evaluation activities. Pre-test survey will be administered prior to sharing of add-on materials, and post-survey will be sent to the same pool of trainers after approximately six months.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/15 to 08/31/16
Outputs
Target Audience:Attendees of training courses / workshops offered in the Western Region of the United States for obtaining certified training in Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) and Food Safety Preventative Control Alliance (FSPCA) to comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act. Individuals in the Western Region receiving Train-the-trainer instruction, who are affiliated with Land Grant Universities, stakeholder groups including state and local regulators, and community-based and non-governmental organizations that are also developing and delivering PSA and FSPCA food safety courses. Operators of small and medium-sized farms, beginning farmers, socially disadvantaged farmers, small food processors, and small fruit and vegetables merchant wholesalers affected by FSMA associated rules. Changes/Problems:The planned schedule and timeline for offering Train-the-trainer instruction in the Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) was delayed during the first year. This was due to factors outside our control, because the curriculum was not approved by the FDA until the Fall. As a result we are behind schedule, but were able to start to offer PSA courses in the Western Region beginning in September 2016. We anticipate some re-budgeting beyond 10% to comply with certain sub-contract university requirements for how we compensate consultants within the region to develop add-on training/educational materials for the Western Region for PSA and FSPCA courses, services for alternative education delivery, services for language translations of educational materials, services to collect assessment information, etc. We will be submitting a re-budget request in the first part of the second year. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?A total of 8 Food Safety Preventive Control Alliance (FSPCA) PC Human Food Train-the-Trainer courses were held in the Western Region, and resulted in 204 Lead Instructors for FSPCA PC Human Food rule. Either directly or indirectly, these trainings provided Lead Instructors that were able to carry on Preventive Control Qualified Individual (PCQI) training throughout the western region and/or the country. More specifically in the western region, a total of 315 FSPCA PCQI classes have been held: 45 in the Mountain sub-region, 71 in the Northwest, 6 in the Pacific and 193 in the Southwest. A total of 6 PSA Train-the-Trainer classes have been held in the Western Region since September 2016, facilitating trainings in the Produce Safety Rule for 197 individual. Lead Trainers are expected to be available in each sub-region. The Western Regional Center goal is to have coverage of PSA Lead Trainers in each state, which is presently being addressed through ongoing and planned regional training activities. Additionally, in-person trainings facilitated building of professional relationships and establishing of food safety networks in the Western region, thereby enhancing the food safety culture in the west. Five new USDA food safety outreach competitive grants were awarded in 2016 in the western region to assist producers who are impacted by the new FSMA food safety guidelines. The PI's for these grants at the U of Arizona, U of Idaho, California State Polytechnic U - Pomona, Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services - Hawaii, and Community Alliance with Family Farmers Foundation - California, intend to be working and collaborating with the Western Regional Center to achieve their mutual goals regarding food safety education, training, and technical assistance. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?To communicate the Western Regional Center's activities and resources that will be developed as part of Objective 2,the Western Regional Centerwebsite is active, located at http://agsci.oregonstate.edu/wrfsc. The website provides information on: The Western Regional Center National Center and other regional Centers Outreach and training for upcoming FSPCA and PSA workshopsin the region Contact information for Western sub-regional partners Contact information for PI, co-PIs and people working with the Western Center "In The News" section where FSMA-related news is hosted Will include a link where add-on curriculum will be shared. The Western Regional Center's FSCPA and PSA courses have been advertised on the Center's website, as well as through OSU's Food Innovation Center's webpage and Facebook page, PSA website, and our Sub-Regional partners' websites. The role and activities of the Western Regional Center have been presented at a number of events and conferences in order to disseminate the goals and activities of the Center, and bring awareness about FSMA-related activities in the Western Region (e.g. ODA, IDA, WSDA State Departments of Agriculture and FDA public meeting on FSMA rules, December 2015; OSU Extension Conference, November 2016; USDA IFSN Webinar, December 2016). We are in the process of building a Facebook page to increase our social media presence, and expand the sharing platform for the future add-on curriculum. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The Western Regional Center's Annual Meeting is scheduled for Mar 1-2, 2016 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Principal focus of the meeting is planning and development of the add-on curricula for the Western Region, and evaluation process for the developed curricula. Framework for the add-on curriculum will be developed; working groups will be assigned and work plans for each group will be submitted to the Center at the end of the annual meeting. Monthly meetings with add-on curriculum groups will be held to discuss progress. A new section will be added to the website for the add-on curriculum and any other relevant educational materials. A Facebook page will be created and regularly maintained to share the Western Regional Center's news and help disseminate developed materials.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The focus of the Western Regional Center grant is to build a collaborative infrastructure in the US Western Region (13 states, 2 territories) to support food safety education, training, extension, outreach, and technical assistance in compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Because of the diversity of crops and climate zones, four sub-regions have been created with the defined US western region (Pacific, Northwest, Southwest, Mountain) which include cooperation and leadership from every Land-Grant University in the region for coordination and delivery of training workshops and development of add-on training curricula. Recent activities in the Western Regional Center were focused towards a goal of developing over 200 certified lead trainers to deliver certified Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) and Food Safety Preventive Control Alliance (FSPCA) training workshops. The workshops are directed toward operators of small and medium-sized farms, beginning farmers, socially disadvantaged farmers, small food processors, and small fruit and vegetables merchant wholesalers affected by FSMA associated rules. Partnerships have been established with Land- Grant universities, stakeholder groups including state and local regulators, and community-based and non-governmental organizations. These partnerships were leveraged to maximize training effectiveness and delivery opportunities. The near-term goal is to establish an effective train-the-trainer program across the western states in cooperation with the national center and other regional centers. The long-term goal is to improve food safety through training of a wide array of stakeholders across the western region of the U.S. Objective 1. Develop a cadre of PSA (Produce Safety Alliance) and FSPCA (Food Safety Preventive Control Alliance) certified trainers within the US Western Region who are focused on supporting the food production and processing industry. A cadre of 204 Lead Trainers for FSPCA PC Human Food and 197 PSA Trainers was developed. A total of 8 FSPCA PC Human Food Train-the-Trainer courses were held in the Western Region. A total of 6 PSA Train-the-Trainer classes have been held in the Western Region since September 2016. Objective 2. Develop and deliver region and stakeholder specific education, training curricula, and technical assistance programs by leveraging existing training and curricular development efforts with organizations such as NGO's, CBO's, Extension, food hubs, and food cooperatives. This will include a special focus on small farmers, socially disadvantaged farmers, and small fruit and vegetable growers and processors. safety networks were established in 13 western states and 2 islands, with experts in Preventive Controls for Human Food and Produce Safety identified in each region. Meetings were held on a monthly basis with representatives from each of the four sub-regions: Mountain, Northwest, Pacific, and Southwest. Sub-regional leaders also communicated updates and relevant information with representatives within their states/islands, as appropriate. Relationships were established with 6 NGO's located in Washington, California, Hawaii, Guam, and American Samoa. A Website was developed and launched to introduce the center and its goals, provide activity updates, and disseminate the future results. Objective 3. Evaluate the impacts of education, training, and technical assistance programs. Anannual meeting is scheduled for March 1-2, 2017 in Honolulu, Hawaii and will include representatives from 13 states, 2 territories, other Regional Centers, the National Coordination Center, USDA and FDA. The main focus of the meeting is the add-on curriculum development, and the evaluation component for the impact of add-on curriculum developed by the Center. The Western Regional Center is currently working on the framework for the add-on curriculum, which will be finalized at the annual meeting. The Agenda has been developed and disseminated, and registration is presently open.
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