Non Technical Summary
GoFarm Hawaiii (GFH) is a Cooperative Extension (CE) program under the University of Hawaii (UH) College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR). GoFarm Hawaii offers non-credit courses and workshops that include technical agricultural knowledge, experiential learning, and business planning and financial training.In 2012, the program added a beginning farmer training program designed to prepare students with farming and entrepreneurial skills and knowledge, allowing them to start independent businesses or fill key roles within the industry.GFH currently manages five beginning farmer training sites across the state (in each of the four Hawaii counties).All graduates and incubation farmers have access to ongoing training and support. Even with our robust program and an established curriculum, we strive to find ways to improve our program and support better student outcomes.While food safety is covered, the program's current focus is primarily on practical and immediate tasks for on-site harvest and processing. GFH relies on external parties to teach an overview of food safety and recognizes a lack of in-person follow-up, reinforcement and ongoing support. Our proposed project will remedy this oversight and provide a better example for our students; provide science-based, small-scale solutions to food safety challenges; and improve the safety of produce sold locally at Hawaii farmer's markets.Most GoFarm Hawaii (GFH) beginning farmer training program graduates who establish new farms grow short term vegetable crops. These farmers commonly market to consumers through CSAs, farmers' markets, restaurants, small grocers, and food hubs. Most of these markets do not currently require food safety certification and the majority of these new farm businesses are exempt from FSMA rules. However, establishing a farm that is aligned with FSMA and GAP rules will ensure safe food distribution and ensure that the farmers are ready for compliance as they scale or want to access new markets.The goal of this Community Outreach Project is to increase the number of beginning farmers in Hawaii who 1) understand the Food and Drug Administration's Food Safety Modernization Act's (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule applicability, 2) understand Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) requirements and practices, 2) implement GAP practices, and 3) are familiar with other local resources that can support food safety education and implementation as they scale operations.The project will implement this goal by 1) educating and supporting new and beginning farmers statewide on FSMA applicability and GAP food safety requirements, 2) showcasing examples of GAP implementation through highly used community infrastructure, and 3) supporting underserved communities with basic understanding of food safety requirements and awareness of local resources.

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
204	1499	3020	100%

Knowledge Area
204 - Plant Product Quality and Utility (Preharvest);

Subject Of Investigation
1499 - Vegetables, general/other;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;

Goals / Objectives
The goal of this project is to increase the number of beginning farmers in Hawaii who 1) understand the Food and Drug Administration's Food Safety Modernization Act's (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule applicability, 2) understand Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) requirements and practices, 3) implement GAP practices, and 4) are familiar with other local resources (including CTAHR Extension and North Shore EVP) that can support food safety education and implementation as they scale operations.Objective 1: Educate and support new and beginning farmers statewide on FSMA applicability and GAP food safety requirements.Objective 2: Showcase examples of GAP implementation through highly used community infrastructure.Objective 3: Support underserved communities (including beginning, Native Hawaiian, and immigrant farmers) with basic understanding of food safety requirements and awareness of local resources.

Project Methods
Modify the Current GoFarm Hawaii AgXcel Curriculum (Year 1: Months 1-2)GFH's existing beginning farmer training curriculum will be enhanced to include a component on FSMA and GAP food safety. The content will be developed specifically for small startup farmers and will be coupled with practical and local resources. Farm-based staff are already equipped with PSA Grower Training Class education. Existing resources and local experts will also be utilized in the development.Develop New Content and Local Resources (Year 1: Months 2-6)The new curriculum described above will be used to develop a stand-alone Food Safety for Beginners workshop that will be offered statewide. The virtual workshops will include a live question and answer session and an offer to request individualized in-person farm walk-through and support. A video recording will be made available to the public and promoted to reach a greater number of participants.New resources will be developed to 1) help new farmers understand if they are a "covered" farm and subject to the regulatory requirements, and 2) help farmers understand food safety requirements and the available local support services as they scale.Provide Individualized Support (Year 1: Months 1-12; Year 2: Months 1-12)Staff will provide 1:1 on-farm food safety reviews for GFH farm incubator participants and those requesting 1:1 support after attending the Food Safety for Beginners workshop. Using the USDA GAP and FSMA Food Safety Checklists, GFH staff will help the farmer conduct a farm self-assessment, identify gaps, and make recommendations for improvement while considering farm efficiency and profitability. Staff will educate about water testing and analyze results. Participants will also be provided with a food safe storage bin to encourage safe harvesting practices.Be an Example (Year 1: Months 1-4)Staff will develop written procedures and informational signage for shared wash/pack stations and cold storage units at each of GFH's 5 beginning farmer training and incubation sites. These resources can be used as templates for users as they develop their own farm sites.Leverage Network to Reach Target Audience (Year 1: Months 2-12; Year 2: Months 1-12)All farmers and farmer support groups will be encouraged to share and use the resources developed. GFH will use the following communication, outreach, and dissemination plan to reach the target audience about availability of training, resources, and services:Social media posts - GFH currently has over 10,000 followers on Instagram and Facebook.Direct outreach - GFH maintains an active distribution list of 1,200 alumni and community members seeking information on upcoming events.Complementary projects - GFH currently supports two USDA OPPE 2501 projects (one focusing on immigrant farmers and one on Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander farmers) and a USDA FSA Increasing Land, Capital, and Market Access project (targeting underserved communities) with business technical assistance, marketing, and land access. Staff will also offer those participants the services under this project.AgTraining and Technical Assistance Hui outreach - a network of 63 members representing 33 local government service providers, non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, extension services, and the food hub network. These groups regularly work with owners and operators of small-sized farms, beginning farmers, underserved farmers, small processors, and small fresh fruit and vegetable merchant wholesalers.Network outreach - a list of collaborators, policymakers, community leaders, and media contacts that promote GFH events. Currently at least 50 contacts for each island.Regional Food Business Center for Islands and Remote Areas - GFH is on the steering committee for the Center which is developing a Resource Hub for local farmers. Information about events and resources will be included on the site once launched.Evaluate Project Outcomes and Effectiveness (Year 1: Months 6-12); Year 2: Months 1-12)