Source: IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY submitted to NRP
ADDRESSING PRODUCE SAFETY EDUCATIONAL NEEDS FOR NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING PRODUCE GROWERS IN THE MIDWEST
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1028694
Grant No.
2022-70020-37594
Cumulative Award Amt.
$400,000.00
Proposal No.
2022-01744
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2022
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2025
Grant Year
2022
Program Code
[A4182]- Regional FSMA Center
Recipient Organization
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
2229 Lincoln Way
AMES,IA 50011
Performing Department
Food Science and Human Nutriti
Non Technical Summary
This proposed project seeks to build educational capacity for small-scale refugee fresh produce growers. Social services organizations provide the opportunity for growers to build a new life with access space to grow food and start their own business. However, there are minimal food safety materials available for these audiences in their native languages. Research reported that communicating with people who do not share the same first language is challenging. The project seeks to change the knowledge and mindset among small-scale refugee growers on food safety regulations through videos and poster resources. This project will:1. Develop produce safety videos in the native languages of and with appropriate contexts for refugee growers in Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri.2. Develop posters in the native languages of and with appropriate contexts for refugee growers in Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri.3. Evaluate the curriculum outcomes by conducting a survey assessment of growers' knowledge, attitude, and anticipated behavior after viewing the videos and posters.All of the materials will be reviewed by an advisory board for cultural competencies and food safety standards. We will perform assessments during implementation and at the conclusion to measure anticipated outcomes and probable impact. We hope to build institutional and regional capacity and foster collaboration among units that support refugee growers. These resources offer the refugee growers the information for compliance with the food safety regulations. Materials will be shared widely in the region and with the national partnering organizations.
Animal Health Component
55%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
15%
Applied
55%
Developmental
30%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
72350103020100%
Knowledge Area
723 - Hazards to Human Health and Safety;

Subject Of Investigation
5010 - Food;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;
Goals / Objectives
Our long-term goal with the proposed project is to ensure the availability of sustainable educational resources on fresh produce safety for refugee growers in the Midwest.We hope to build institutional and regional capacity and foster collaboration among units that support refugee growers. To achieve the long-term goal of this Collaborative Education and Training Project, we have identified three supporting objectives:Develop produce safety videos in the native languages of and with appropriate contexts for refugee growers in Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri.Develop posters in the native languages of and with appropriate contexts for refugee growers in Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri.Evaluate the curriculum outcomes by conducting a survey assessment of growers' knowledge, attitude, and anticipated behavior after viewing the videos and posters.
Project Methods
Our video development process will go as follows:Advisory Committee EngagementThe project team (PIs, graduate student, undergraduate student[s]) will assemble the advisory committee¥ (i.e., translators, ISU Brenton Center videographer team, NGO personnel, refugee growers, and food safety educators) to review existing video resources. The project team will allow the committee to review the existing videos and scripts in English. The project team will gather feedback on what is needed for the target audience.Script DevelopmentThe project team (PIs, graduate student, undergraduate student[s]) will develop storyboards and scripts based on the identified needs. Translators¥ will translate the English versions of the video scripts into the native languages.Review of Storyboards and ScriptsThe project team will assemble the advisory committee¥ (i.e., translators, ISU Brenton Center videographer team, NGO personnel, refugee growers, and food safety educators) to review the storyboards and scripts. Food safety experts will review for face validity. During the content review, advisory committee members will be asked these questions: (a) Are the resources provided adequate, or are fewer or more resources needed? (b) Do you perceive the information as basic information you can use? (c) Is the video length appropriate for the target audience, or is a shorter or longer video needed? (d) Do you like the format of the videos? (e) Were the instructions for accessing the videos clear? Storyboards and scripts will be modified as needed according to the results of the review.Final Review of ScriptsThe project team and translators will double-check the scripts with growers¥ for accuracy. During this review, growers¥ will be asked this question: Are the translated video scripts appropriate for you?Video FilmingThe project team and videographers from ISU Brenton Center will shoot the videos using growers from the refugee community at LSI-Global Greens farm sites.Voice-Over RecordingInterpreters will narrate the voice-over audio for the videos with Radio Garage in Des Moines, IA, as coordinated by ISU Brenton Center.Video EditingISU Brenton Center will edit the voice-over audio to match the video scenes.Final Review of VideosThe project team will assemble the advisory committee¥ (i.e., translators, ISU Brenton Center videographer team, NGO personnel, refugee growers, and food safety educators) to perform a final review of the newly developed video resources.Pilot Testing of Video Content and EvaluationThe project team will pilot test the developed videos in focus groups for appropriateness for the target audience (refugee growers).. The project team will use curriculum evaluation to assess the need for content revisions. Materials will be modified as needed before they are shared as online resources for refugee growers.For the evaluation of the program, the project team will measure the outcome of use of the videos by conducting a survey assessment of growers' knowledge, attitude, and anticipated behavior after viewing the videos. Specifically, we will ask these questions: (a) What changes in your food safety practices do you plan to make after viewing the videos? (b) What changes in your food safety practices would you like to make but are unable to make at this time? (c) What would make it easier for you to make these changes? We may add questions. We will use descriptive statistics to summarize the survey responses.¥The advisory committee, growers, and translators/interpreters will be compensated for their time with an honorarium or hourly rate.Our poster development process will go as follows:Advisory Committee EngagementThe project team (PIs, graduate student, undergraduate student[s]) will assemble the advisory committee¥ (i.e., translators, ISU Brenton Center videographer team, NGO personnel, refugee growers, and food safety educators) to review existing produce safety poster resources available through the Food Safety Resource Clearinghouse and other sources. The advisory committee¥ will provide the project team with feedback on key topics that are not currently covered in the targeted languages but should be addressed in safety posters, particularly for refugee audiences.Poster DevelopmentThe project team (PIs, graduate student, other KSU/MU produce safety personnel) will develop posters based on the identified produce safety information needs and ensure that the posters include accurate scientific information. Translators¥ will translate the text of the English versions of the posters to the native languages. A graphic designer will develop the graphics for the posters and assist with the poster layout so that the posters are as impactful as possible.Review of PostersThe advisory committee¥ (i.e., refugee growers, translators, NGO stakeholders) will review the developed posters for any needed improvements. The translators will double-check the translations of the posters for accuracy. During the content review, advisory committee members will be asked these questions: (a) Are the posters provided adequate, or are fewer or more posters needed? (b) Do you perceive the information as basic information you can use? (d) Do you like the format of the posters? (e) Were the instructions for accessing the posters clear?Pilot Testing of Poster Content and EvaluationThe project team will test the developed posters in focus groups for appropriateness for the target audience (refugee growers). The project team will evaluate the impact of the posters. Materials will be modified as needed before being printed and posted online for wide distribution.For the evaluation of the program, the project team will measure the outcome of use of the posters by conducting a survey assessment of growers' knowledge, attitude, and anticipated behavior after viewing the posters. Specifically, we will ask these questions: (a) What changes in your food safety practices do you plan to make after viewing the posters? (b) What changes in your food safety practices would you like to make but are unable to make at this time? (c) What would make it easier for you to make these changes? We may add additional questions. We will use descriptive statistics to summarize the survey responses.¥The advisory committee, growers, and translators/interpreters will be compensated for their time with an honorarium or hourly rate.

Progress 09/01/23 to 08/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience:Non-English-speaking refugee growers in Iowa and Kansas. Specifically, growers involved with the Global Greens Farm with the Lutheran Services of Iowa, Cultivate Kansas City, and Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. Changes/Problems:We have the PI and one of the co-PIs of the project transitioning from their universities to a new position. The PI role will switch to a colleague at ISU. Due to university rules, the PI will take on the role of co-PI and complete the project. The co-PI transitioned her leadership role to the co-PI at her institution already associated with the project. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Both graduate students attended the North Central Region Center for the Food Safety Modernization Act and Technical Assistance Conference. Both graduate students presented a poster at this conference. The graduate student at Iowa State University began volunteering and attending monthly meetings with the target audience. The graduate student at ISU also began one-on-one sessions with graduate committee members related to quantitative and qualitative research. The team has also connected with Scientific Animation Without Borders (SAWBO) for video and poster production needs (link: https://sawbo-animations.org/). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The team reports to the Non-governmental organization quarterly about updates related to the project. The graduate student develop presentation for report impact. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We plan to finalize the script and develop videos and posters over the summer of 2024. We are hoping to host a viewing session Fall of 2024. Spring of 2025, the team plans to review data and student defend their research related to the project.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The graduate students join the team in August of 2023. The graduate student, along with the evaluator, developed focus group questions to be conducted in January and February of 2024. Knowledge gaps identified at the conclusion of the focus groups were: Risk Identification: Growers had difficulty with the identification and mitigation of various food safety risks on the farms. Visitor Guidelines: Clear guidelines for visitors to follow regarding hygiene and cleanliness to prevent contamination during farm visits were lacking. Worker Health Protocols: Well-defined protocols for sick workers, including communication with supervisors and protective equipment, seemed absent. Soil Amendments application: Guidance on the safe use of soil additives to minimize food safety risks looks like a good area of focus. Food safety risks from soil amendments:It seems like growers have mixed opinions on whether soil amendments can pose food safety risks or not. Water Quality Testing: Growers have rarely tested the water for microbial quality. Produce Washing Practices: Need to establish standardized washing practices, including the use of clean water and appropriate methods for different types of produce, to minimize contamination risks. The next steps include developing two video scripts, which will be translated into four languages. Also, four posters will be developed.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Coleman, S.; Adjetey, A.; Andrews, S.; Bhullar, M.; Nwadike, L.; and Cater, M. Evaluation of Produce Safety Educational Resources Needs for Non-English Speaking Produce Growers in The Midwest. Professional Agriculture Workers Conference, Montgomery, AL.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2024 Citation: Manreet Bhullar, Sagar Pokhrel  Kansas State University; Shannon Coleman  Iowa State University; Londa Nwadike  Kansas State University/University of Missouri; Angelina Adjetey; Smaranda Andrews; Djemima Mulonda; Melissa Cater. Developing Produce Safety Educational Resources for Refugee Growers in Urban Areas in the Midwest. Urban Food System Symposium, Columbus, Ohio.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2024 Citation: Coleman, S.; Adjetey, A.; Andrews, S.; Bhullar, M.; Nwadike, L.; and Cater, M. Evaluation of Produce Safety Educational Resources Needs for Non-English Speaking Produce Growers in The Midwest. North Central Region Center for the Food Safety Modernization and Technical Assistance Annual Conference, Chicago, Illinois.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2024 Citation: Angelina Adjetey; Djemima Mulonda; Andrews Smaranda; Manreet Bhullar; Sagar Pokhrel; Londa Nwadike; Melissa Cater; and Shannon M. Coleman.Assessment of Needs for Produce Safety Educational Resources for Non-English Speaking Produce Growers in the Midwest. Graduate Program for Sustainable Agriculture Research Symposium and oral competition. Ames, Iowa


Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23

Outputs
Target Audience:Non-English-speaking refugee growers in Iowa and Kansas. Specifically, growers involved with the Global Greens Farm with the Lutheran Services of Iowa, Cultivate Kansas City, and Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. Changes/Problems:Both groups have delayed identifying graduate students to work with the project. Both groups hope to have a student on board for the fall of 2023. We also lost our partner for the animation portion of our videos. We have then connected with another company willing to assist with the project. The students have joined, and we will do a photo surveywith the target audience before we start the video script. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The output of this project will produce videos and posters that can be used for non-English speaking refugee growers. All of the graduate students and undergraduates will be trained in the Produce Safety Alliance Training, Fall 2023. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The product director, Dr. Coleman will present the findings of the advisory board meeting at the Professional Agriculture Workers Conference in Montgomery, Alabama October 29 - November 1, 2023. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Spring of 2023, we plan to have an advisory board meeting with community members. Our findings from this advisory board will help us with the base information needed to develop our resources. We hope to start developing tools in late 2023. Fall of 2023, the two graduate students were hired for the project. They will lead the development of the videos and posters.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Our long-term goal with the proposed project is to ensure the availability of sustainable educational resources on fresh produce safety for refugee growers in the Midwest. The work by Nguyen (2020) showed that educators should focus on specific food safety knowledge areas when working with these populations. As well, work by Niode et al. (2011) clarified that cultural differences could contribute to a lack of appropriate food safety practices. With our project, we will respond to all these circumstances by addressing the knowledge and mindset of small-scale refugee growers through video and poster resources that are presented in their native languages and provide relevant contexts. The informationincluded in these resources is essential to helping refugee growers understand and identify the potential food safety hazards for which they need to develop preventive measures to grow safe food. The resources will include problem-centered and real-world scenarios, providing the growers with a broadened knowledge of proper food safety practices and an understanding when, where, and how to implement their new knowledge. We hope to build institutional and regional capacity and foster collaboration among units that support refugee growers. To achieve the long-term goal of this Collaborative Education and Training Project, we have identified three supporting objectives: Develop produce safety videos in the native languages of and with appropriate contexts for refugee growers in Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri. Develop posters in the native languages and with appropriate contexts for refugee growers in Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri. After viewing the videos and posters, evaluate the curriculum outcomes by conducting a survey of growers' knowledge, attitude, and anticipated behavior.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Shannon M. Coleman; Angelina Adjetey; Smaranda Andrews; Manreet Bhullar; Londa Nwadike; and Melissa Cater. Evaluation of Produce Safety Educational Resources Needs for Non-English Speaking Produce Growers in The Midwest. Professional Agricultural Workers Conference. Montogomery, Alabama