Source: WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY submitted to NRP
A PRIMER TO THE PRODUCE SAFETY RULE FOR SMALL AND VERY SMALL FARMS IN WASHINGTON STATE
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1017198
Grant No.
2018-70020-28870
Cumulative Award Amt.
$149,984.00
Proposal No.
2018-05224
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2018
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2021
Grant Year
2018
Program Code
[A4182]- Regional FSMA Center
Recipient Organization
WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
240 FRENCH ADMINISTRATION BLDG
PULLMAN,WA 99164-0001
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Small growers in Washington State are struggling to understand the basic requirements of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule (PSR). Our data shows that many of these small growers have three primary barriers to understanding the Produce Safety Rule: 1) they do not have a firm grasp of food safety because their markets are not requiring this information; 2) they do not understand the context of PSR and how it may apply to their operation; and 3) a lack understanding that inspections will be performed on their farm to assure they are meeting the minimum requirements set forth in (PSR) if covered. To address these issues, we will develop educational training content in both English and Spanish, which will teach participants the basics of third party audit systems, provide the latest in-depth training on which farms/facilities are covered under the FSMA PSR, and review the basic regulations under the rule. The training will be delivered both on-line and in-person. Additional content will be developed for training WSU Extension faculty to deliver the content and provide expanded coverage of training across the State. Content will be reviewed by, and made available to, the Western Regional Center to Enhance Food Safety and its partners, and WSDA. Ultimately, this project will provide small growers with the basics needed to understand PSR, and what steps they will need to take to be in compliance. Moreover, this will help growers expand their markets through compliance with food safety programs.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
71222991100100%
Knowledge Area
712 - Protect Food from Contamination by Pathogenic Microorganisms, Parasites, and Naturally Occurring Toxins;

Subject Of Investigation
2299 - Miscellaneous and new crops, general/other;

Field Of Science
1100 - Bacteriology;
Goals / Objectives
The overall goal of this proposal is to deliver effective training to small and very-small underserved growers across the state of Washington on: 1) the basics of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), 2) third party audits vs. Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Regulations (PSR), 3) compliance with PSR (overview), 4) development of food safety plans, and 5) PSR covered produce and exemptions. This work focuses on educating small growers, including those in remote locations, across Washington. On-line content will be delivered in English and Spanish. This proposal will provide small grower instruction and assistance to increase compliance with PSR regulations, increase food safety practices and awareness, and secure and expand the market value of their crops.Project objectives will be accomplished by:Objective 1. Developing training content focused on third party audit systems and the Produce Safety Rule noting differences while providing information about and implementation of the PSR regulations, in English and Spanish. Objective 2. Developing train-the-trainer content to accompany grower training content (objective #1)Objective 3. Delivering training workshops online and in-person.
Project Methods
MethodsDevelop training content focused on third party audit systems, the Produce Safety Rule an overview of the PSR regulations, exemptions, and requirements for compliance in English and Spanish. Approach- Team members will develop, implement, and evaluate effectiveness of a training module focused on the differences between 3rd party audits and PSR. Content will include fundamentals of each program, covered produce and farm exemptions for PSR, development of food safety plans, and implementation of PSR. The module will be based on WSDA's Bridging the Gaps Farm Guide, USDA Good Agricultural Practices and Good Handling Practices Audit program standards, and PSA's Grower Training. While a written farm food safety plan is not required under PSR, our training will include the development of a farm food safety plan, and how a plan can help with compliance of PSR and growing the market value of their produce. This training module will be used for both online and in-person training. An accompanying training book will be developed and used for in-person trainings and available on-line in both English and Spanish and through WSU's CAHNRS Extension publications. Additional content in both the training and training book will include the PSR rule, explanation of the regulations, agency information, development of food safety plans and information to for additional assistance and training. All printed and online materials will be available in English and Spanish. WSU's department of Foreign Languages and Cultures will provide translation services and costs are included in our budget.The module and training book will be developed during the first year of the funding period, then delivered to growers in the 2nd year of funding. Project investigators will deliver seven trainings providing outreach to all regions in Washington. Sites include Prosser. Vancouver region, Seattle /NW counties, and Eastern Washington. (Table 3). The program will be sustained through additional trainings after project completion. Training will be either an in-person (4-hour workshop) or 3-4 hour online training module.Once the training content is developed in year 1, content will be shared with stakeholders including WSDA, WRCEFS, grower associations, and growers. The modules will be made available to stakeholder groups through train-the trainer who can use the module to perform additional trainings. We anticipate our educational materials will ultimately be utilized by organizations across the United States. WRCEFS has committed to sharing of the content to their partner organizations and through their annual meeting. We will also make the content available through eXtension, an online-based collaborative environment for land-grant universities.An evaluation specialist from WSU Extension will work closely with our project team to ensure program effectiveness and implementation by growers. Evaluation will include pre and post assessment on knowledge of the in-person and online content and well as intent to change on-farm practices to conform with new regulations and meet buyer expectations. Online evaluations and assessment of knowledge gained will be built into the online modules and required for participants to continue through the training. This information will be used to further modify the modules to ensure they are meeting stakeholders' needs. The "Evaluation" section below describes the evaluation and assessment plan in detail.Develop train-the-trainer content to accompany grower training content (objective #1)Approach- The project team will develop train-the-trainer content to accompany the training module developed under objective #1. The train-the-trainer content will address planning and executing this specific training, and additional training and content resources. Participants allowed to participate in the train-the-trainer course will be faculty members who already serve as food safety experts (29 out of 39 counties have trained food safety faculty) for WSU Extension, or currently work with growers across the state (e.g. Food Systems Program, Agriculture and Natural Resources). Faculty seeking to become a trainer will be required to attend and complete one of the seven workshops delivered in objective #1, plus complete the additional train-the-trainer course which will be conducted immediately after the half-day training.Deliver training online and in-person.?Approach- The project team will develop the online training content in English and Spanish providing more widespread accessibility to stakeholders through WSU's produce safety website. The online course will consist of voice over PowerPoint and include additional resources which have been developed through previous collaborations with WSDA (e.g. animated explainer videos). The online content will be continually revised and updated with other resources (videos, information, and FSMA updates) beyond the 2-year funding period of this project. The online course and updates will be sustained by charging a minimal participant fee for the on-line course and on-line content. In-person trainings will initially be delivered by investigators of this project. As described under objective #2, we will train additional faculty located in county extension offices, that already have extensive food safety expertise, to deliver the content to growers within their county or region. This will expand the reach of the training beyond the initial seven trainings covered by this funding period, and allow for long-term training of small growers across the state.

Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/21

Outputs
Target Audience:Our target audience for this project were small growers(~$25,000 income average over three years) and growers in remote locations across Washington state. Additionally, our target audience includes training WSU Extension faculty and staff so they may assist small growers in their individual counties to improve produce safety. Changes/Problems:Initially we had planned to deliver the content both in-person and online. However, due to COVID-19, we had to change the delivery format to webinar delivery only. Additionally, due to the challenges small growers were facing dur to COVID-19, we added additional webinar series that were not initially included in the proposal. These challenges also prevented us from conducting more extensive training sessions including train the trainer content. We will be workign with WSU's Master Gardener program to provide the train the trainer content as we move forward in 2022. We were also unable to get the content translated into Spanish but will be working to get this completed as we move forward. The content will be combined into a single booklet and will be submitted to WSU Extension publications for publishing. We also had three Co-Is move into new jobs which hindered their ability to continue work on this proposal. This report is being submitted late due to initially determining whether we were eligible for another extension. I was very late seeking out this request as I was extremely busy teaching a new undergraduate course I had not taught prior. I then had afamily emergency involving the need for a high level of care over the last 1.5 months. The last day to submit the report approached quickly and I could not get the report completed by the last day. I realize the importance of the final report and will ensure that final reports are submitted on time for any future grants. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During this funding period co-investigators (two) and support staff (one) were able to take the Produce Safety Alliance's Growers Training and receive trainer status. We are currently working with WSU Extension's Master Gardener Program to take this trainign that was developed under this grant. For small growers, we were able to offer training through delivery of the webinar series offered under objective 3. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The following webinars were delivered to stakeholders across the state of Washington and other states in the Pacific Northwest (e.g. Oregon and Idaho). Produce Safety Part I (focused on outbreaks, microbiology,soil amendments, worker health and hygiene, wildlife, and domestic animals). Produce Safety Part II (focused onagricultural water quality and usage, post-harvest handling, and how to develop a food food safety plan). Introduction to PCHF for very small value added food processors Best practices for farm deliveries, pick up and CSA's during COVID-19 Best practices for community gardens in the time of COVID-19 Worker health and hygiene Pathogenic microbiology and produce All of these webinars were recordered and are freely available to stakeholders at any time through the Cultivating Success websitecultivatingsuccess.org/recordedwebinars. 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. Developing training content focused on third party audit systems and the Produce Safety Rule noting differences while providing information about and implementation of the PSR regulations, in English and Spanish. We developed training modules for the following produce safety topics: Traceability Soil amendments and land use Worker health and hygiene Post harvest handling Wildlife and domestic animals Agricultural water Pathogenic microbiology and produce We also developed training content for webinar delivery on the following topics: Produce Safety Part I (focused on outbreaks, microbiology,soil amendments, worker health and hygiene, wildlife, and domestic animals). Produce Safety Part II (focused onagricultural water quality and usage, post-harvest handling, and how to develop a food food safety plan). Introduction to PCHF for very small value added food processors Best practices for farm deliveries, pick up and CSA's during COVID-19 Best practices for community gardens in the time of COVID-19 Objective 2. Developing train-the-trainer content to accompany grower training content (objective #1) We developed resources for trainers and worked withWSU's Master Gardener program to develop plans to train master gardeners across the state to work with small growers to improve produce safety. Objective 3. Delivering training workshops online and in-person. Due to COVID-19 all training programs were delivered online.The following content was delivered to stakeholders across the state of Washington and to stakeholders in other states in the Pacific Northwest (ie. Oregon and Idaho). Produce Safety Part I (focused on outbreaks, microbiology,soil amendments, worker health and hygiene, wildlife, and domestic animals). Produce Safety Part II (focused onagricultural water quality and usage, post-harvest handling, and how to develop a food food safety plan). Introduction to PCHF for very small value added food processors Best practices for farm deliveries, pick up and CSA's during COVID-19 Best practices for community gardens in the time of COVID-19 Worker health and hygiene Pathogenic microbiology and produce All of these webinars were recordered and are freely available to stakeholders at any time through the Cultivating Success websitecultivatingsuccess.org/recordedwebinars.

Publications


    Progress 09/01/19 to 08/31/20

    Outputs
    Target Audience:We are in the process of completing the "Train the Trainer" modules and moving onto translation of the materials. Some of the training modules, specifically the module on pathogenic microbiology and farm worker health and hygiene, were delivered to participants via webinar through the multi-state collaborative Cultivatign Success program. We have been able to leverage the objectives of this grant to also support delivery of produce safety education for very, very small local growers and provide supplementary materials for special groups. We are also working to provide produce safety training to our Master Gardener volunteers to expand the impact, training, and resources availabe to stakeholders across the state. We have requested a 1 year extension on our project. Delivery efforts have been partially hamp[ered due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. However, we do fully anticipate that we will complete the objectives outlined in the proposal, and reach our target audiences, by the funding termination date in 2021. Changes/Problems:We requested and were approved for a 1-year no cost extension due to 1.) we had two key personnel soft funded on this proposal. By the time funds were placed into the budget by WSU it was nearing the holidays thus work could not begin until ~January 2019. This placed us approximately 4 mos behind schedule; and2). Although the materials will be ready for full delivery in spring 2020, this puts us into the growing season for farmers and will reduce the number of participants in the workshops. We have been further delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If the pandemic continues, we are anticipating that all training will need to be delivered online. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?To date, two of our Co-Is have completed theformal produce safety Alliance's Grower's training. The PI has attended the annual meetings with the Western Regional Centerto Enhance Food Safety. We have delivered two of the modules to stakeholders through the Cultivating Successprogram and will be delivering the entire training and train the trainer resources to stakeholders and county Extension educators over the next year. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?To date, we have delivered two of the modules to stakeholders throught he multi-state collaborative Cultivating Success program. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will finish translation of the modules, complete the train the trainer content, and deliver the educational program to stakeholders and trainers, as described in the proposal, over the next year.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? We have completed development of the modules and are currently working to complete the train the trainer content. We have "tested" two of the modules (worker health and hygiene and fresh produce and pathogenic microbiology) by delivering the modules through the multi-state collaborativecultivating success program. We are working to get the modules translated into Spanish, and are also working with our Master Gardener volunteer coordinatedto deliver the training to the Master Gardeners to expand the impact and accesibility of this educational program to stakeholders across the state.

    Publications


      Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/19

      Outputs
      Target Audience:We are still within year 1 of the grant, and are still working to develop the trainign content. Once the trainign content is complete, we will deliver the content tocontent delivering programs to underserved and socially disadvantaged small farmers across the state through in-person and online training, and to WSU Extension faculty and staff who can serve as trainers to deliver the content within their respective counties. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project will provide training and professional development to county Extension faculty and staff through train-the-trainer courses, and to produce growers across the state, during delivery of the content in year two. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We are within a few months of our proposed timeline. During the year two, we will have printed the materials in English and Spanish, trained county Extension faculty and staff to deliver the content within their counties, and trained growers on the content. We anticipate at least 210 growers will be trained. The content will be made availabel through WSU Extension's publication system. The content and its efficacy will be evaluated and revisions to the content will be made at the end of year two as needed.

      Impacts
      What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1. Developing training content focused on third party audit systems and the Produce Safety Rule noting differences while providing information about and implementation of the PSR regulations, in English and Spanish. These educational modules are near completion and should be ready for translation and printing within two months. A total of 10 sections will be used in the training. The topics for each section are: Introduction to Content, PSR, GAPS/ Features and Benefits Fundamental Microbiology for Produce Safety Agricultural Water Post Harvest Handling Soil Amendments Wildlife and other animals Land Use Worker Health Hygiene and Training Traceability Food Safety Plan and Implementation There will be two additional modules: Grower resources Trainer resources Objective 2. Developing train-the-trainer content to accompany grower training content (objective #1) The train-the-trainer conetent is in the process of being deloped and should be completed within two months (see objective 1). Objective 3. Delivering training workshops online and in-person. The training is planned for delivery in year two of the funding period.

      Publications