Source: UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA submitted to
AGRISECURITY: A MASTER'S DEGREE PROGRAM
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0207047
Grant No.
2006-38411-17077
Project No.
NEBE-2006-03124
Proposal No.
2006-03124
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
ER
Project Start Date
Sep 30, 2006
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2011
Grant Year
2006
Project Director
Vidaver, A. M.
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA
(N/A)
LINCOLN,NE 68583
Performing Department
PLANT PATHOLOGY
Non Technical Summary
American agriculture is vulnerable to biosecurity threats that undermine confidence in food supplies or disrupt the agricultural economy. No integrated multidisciplinary program currently exists that provides agricultural science professionals with the concepts and skills to prevent, detect, and respond to security issues. To address this crucial need, the University of Nebraska Lincoln is developing a multidisciplinary graduate program in agrisecurity. To address the crucial need for training in the concepts and skills to prevent, detect, and respond to security issues regarding the nation's agricultural system that is needed by agricultural science professionals, faculty from nine departments in the University of Nebraska Lincoln's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources are developing an unique collaboration with faculty from the colleges of Law, Arts & Sciences, and Business Administration to offer an innovative graduate program in agrisecurity.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
90360993020100%
Knowledge Area
903 - Communication, Education, and Information Delivery;

Subject Of Investigation
6099 - People and communities, general/other;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;
Goals / Objectives
The objectives of this project are to (a) develop the curriculum for a multi/interdisciplinary Agrisecurity graduate program; (b) create both an intense, one year residential specialization within the University of Nebraska Lincoln Master of Agriculture degree and an online graduate certificate program; (c) deliver professional development activities that enable faculty to provide quality instruction using new technologies and online education; and (d) implement a sustainable high priority, high quality, collaborative multidisciplinary education initiative, which will serve as a model for the development of other multidisciplinary programs. The products of this project are (1) an interdisciplinary Master of Agriculture program in the high need area of agrisecurity, (2) new courses in agrisecurity, (3) graduate distance delivered certificate program with an emphasis in agrisecurity, (3) a program Website, (4) professional development activities for faculty focused on emerging technologies and online education, (5) promotional materials marketing the program, and (6) program business and assessment plans. The project will enhance the quality of food and agricultural sciences education. A specialized curriculum will be developed to prepare a new generation of practitioners and scientists capable of solving multidisciplinary problems and serving as first detectors, focused Homeland Security Extension Educators, consultants, and Homeland Security or APHIS staff, among others. The interdisciplinary approach allows for increased efficiency and productivity because faculty can concentrate on teaching high quality courses in their specific area of expertise. Students can access a network of cross discipline industry experts and leaders in a variety of fields. Models of interdisciplinary cooperation in curricular development involving Business Administration, Law, Agricultural Sciences, Humanities, and Social Sciences will be created and assessed. These types of collaborations are often seen in one to one situations; however, there are few examples of collaborations between agricultural sciences and this number of partner disciplines. This model identifies relationships that can result in other collaborations well beyond the 36 months of this project. The distance education component allows the program to serve the needs of students wherever they are located and within their professional lives, and provides an alternative for students who can not immediately participate in a full master's degree specialization. The result will be well educated professionals in the area of agrisecurity, as well as an accessible, high quality curriculum in agrisecurity that prepares students to serve the food and agricultural industry and to meet a critical societal need. Faculty members will be better prepared to develop and deliver courses in an interdisciplinary program that include food and agricultural sciences, law, humanities, and business administration. There will be a base group of faculty and administrators at UNL who are able to rapidly and cost effectively develop and deliver high quality, interdisciplinary programs in high need areas.
Project Methods
The University of Nebraska Lincoln (UNL) will develop a curriculum for an interdisciplinary agrisecurity graduate program, deliver professional development opportunities for faculty, and implement a sustainable high priority, high quality, collaborative interdisciplinary initiative. Interdisciplinary faculty teams and 4 project directors will complete the following activities: The Project Director will have responsibility for the overall management of the project. Each CoDirector will assume responsibility for specific activity areas. An interdisciplinary faculty team will develop the curriculum for the specialization in Agrisecurity, following the general program outcomes developed through the modified Delphi study. The program curriculum will satisfy all the requirements for the Master of Agriculture. Consideration will be given to a sequence of courses to be offered within a 12 month period, enabling the creation of a cohort population of students. The faculty team will identify an optimum program size (based on industry need, student demand for program, and the instructional capacity of the program faculty), set targets for program growth, and identify resource needs. An assessment will be conducted to determine faculty training needs. Currently offered workshops or new activities will be identified or developed. A Marketing Plan and Program Website will be developed to recruit high caliber students who will commit to a one year intensive program of studies. Employer and student input will be gathered throughout this process. EXECUTION (specialization in Agrisecurity) Faculty teams will review current courses for their appropriateness, and will prepare an analysis of the modifications needed. New courses will be determined, and content outlined. All necessary internal department, college and University curricular committee and administrator approvals will be sought. Program Business Plans will be completed, and Student Support Services will be reviewed. Students who meet admission standards will be admitted to the program, advisors will be assigned, and electronic access to needed information assured. Instruction for the first cohort will begin. EXECUTION (Online Graduate Certificate) During the second year of the grant period, the development of the online graduate certificate distance program will begin. A market driven tuition per credit hour will be set based upon the price of competitive and/or similar programs, and the need for program sustainability. The guidelines laid out for revenue distribution by UNL will be followed to ensure sustainability of the program after the completion of the USDA grant period. Courses for inclusion in the distance delivered graduate certificate program will be selected, and course modification begun. A marketing plan for the online graduate certificate program will be developed and implemented. Students will be admitted to the certificate program and online course instruction will begin. EVALUATION A program assessment process including student intake and exit surveys will be developed and implemented. Annual evaluation summaries and final project evaluation information will be provided.

Progress 09/30/06 to 08/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Only the Animal Science course 411 (HACCP and Food Safety) has been successfully produced for on-line delivery. We were unable to link up with the USDA's APHIS PPQ biosecurity curriculum. We were regretfully unable to complete the objectives we set forth. One of us was to present a paper on recommendations for an Agrisecurity Online Education plan at a national conference which regretfully did not materialize due to personal complications of the prospective presenter. Proposed prospective users have been repeatedly identified, with administrative support. We were largely unable to deliver all that we expected. There is still a need for an on-line certificate program in agrisecurity and we understand that one or more universities are in a position to provide material for such an undertaking. Unused funds have been returned. We regret that this occurred; it represents the first time that we collectively have not been able to fulfill a contract. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
While very modest progress has been made in presenting an on-line agrisecurity program , the need is still apparent. Such a program is still needed for the agricultural sector throughout the U.S., and certainly in the huge areas comprising the mid-west.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period


Progress 09/30/09 to 09/29/10

Outputs
We requested another no-cost extension of this project because of the following. As we began designing the certificate program, principally for on-line availability, we have encountered many challenges integrating the Plant Pathology, Veterinary Science, and Food Science fields into one program relating to Agrisecurity. It remains a new and developing field and each area is very specialized relating to security issues. Thus, there has been considerable delay in producing online graduate level courses that can be part of this certificate program. To date, Animal Science course 411 (HACCP and Food Safety) has been successfully offered for two semesters and is in the process of becoming a graduate level online class. Condensing and compiling information into effective online classes is still in progress. We have yet to determine the feasibility of associating with the USDA's APHIS-PPQ curriculum for plant biosecurity, which is being used by some universities. We have met with additional faculty members who could complement our efforts. All of us have taken part in some advanced IT activities or workshops sponsored by the university. We plan on publishing a paper on recommendations for an Agrisecurity Online Education plan and presentation of the results of the project at a national conference. PRODUCTS: A tentative certificate program has been assembled. OUTCOMES: A new distance-delivered set of modules will be available for both resident and non-resident students in this vital area of agriculture. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Proposed clientele and prospective users have been favorably disposed towards such a program, as have university and government administrators at various levels. FUTURE INITIATIVES: Further development of an on-line certificate program will remain the major focus.

Impacts
Prospective students and employers continue to tell us that such a program would be useful to them personally and to their agency or business. Such a program would be most helpful to agricultural industries throughout the U.S., especially in the mid-west.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period


Progress 09/30/08 to 09/29/09

Outputs
The P.I.s met several times with one another to further the development of a certificate program in Agrisecurity. A tentative curriculum was identified using both existing and new courses. Additional potential material for inclusion was identified as other universities and entities contribute to providing educational materials. For example, we became aware of an Agrosecurity Certificate Program by the University of Georgia (detailed curriculum not available) and APHIS-PPQ curriculum for plant biosecurity. Thus, we are determining the feasibility of associating with APHIS-PPQ, which is developing a Plant Biosecurity Curriculum. It has a number of suggested and pertinent topics, as well as modules under development for external use. In addition, with Dr. James Partridge's retirement and resigning from the grant, additional personnel have been approached for widening the scope of our proposal. These personnel additions are yet to be made. In addition, we plan on meeting with information technology specialists who are expert in on-line presentations for advice and guidance. All of us took part in some advanced IT activities or workshops, including Recording Courses, Discussion Boards and Photoshop. PRODUCTS: A tentative certificate program has been assembled. OUTCOMES: A new distance-delivered set of modules will be available for both resident and non-resident students in this vital area of agriculture. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Proposed clientele and prospective users have been favorably disposed towards such a program, as have university and government administrators at various levels. FUTURE INITIATIVES: Further development of an on-line certificate program will remain the major focus.

Impacts
Prospective students and employers believe such a program would be useful to them personally and to their agency or business. We believe such a program would be helpful to agricultural industries throughout the U.S., especially in the mid-west.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period


Progress 09/30/07 to 09/29/08

Outputs
The P.I.s met for about 15 hours collectively and for about 30 hours with external potential users. As previously, the development of a resident and/or an online graduate certifcate program was discussed. Vidaver took part in a 5 week course as part of the UNL Summer Institute for Online Teaching (May 14-June 18, 2008) and used part of an Agrisecurity course as materials for presentation and critique by instructors and class participants. Parts of the Agrisecurity course material were used as a basis for participation in a National Plant Disease Recovery System (USDA and American Phytopathological Society) meeting. Burson continued with development of an online course in Animal Biosecurity. Moxley evaluated materials from Veterinary biosecurity meetings that potentially would be useful for a curriculum. Partridge evaluated suitability of current on-line materials in this area for incorporation into our program. PRODUCTS: There is a tentative certificate program identified. Further development of two courses has occurred for online presentation. OUTCOMES: Students both on-campus and off, as well as employed peopple in the agricultural sector have indicated a strong preference for online course material in this field. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Further presenation and discussion of a prospective Master's program and on-line certificate were presented informally to external potential users, as well as to faculty and student groups. FUTURE INITIATIVES: Evaluation of a realistic presentation of an on-line certificate program wil be conducted. This will require further development of course material.

Impacts
With continued national and global concerns regarding biosecurity (safety to people, agriculture, environment) and bioterroism (use of live biological materials as agents of civic, economic and environmental disruption), the need for such a program is increasing.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period


Progress 09/30/06 to 09/29/07

Outputs
41: Progress: The P.I.s met for more than 50 hours collectively with one another and more than 60 hours with external potential participants and employers of graduates.. The P.I.s evaluated the development of a Master of Ag(riculture) Agrisecurity specialization resident and/or an online graduate certificate program. Up to 54 credits (cr.) in approved courses were identified for potential inclusion in the program. A considerable number of topics were identified and researched as well. A 3-credit On-site Management course was considered essential for hands-on experience; this course is being considered for development. In conjunction with this curriculum, a series of basic life and social science undergraduate courses at UNL or equivalents from elsewhere were identified as program prerequisites. Extensive interviews (1-3 hr. per person) were conducted with potential employers with hiring authority regarding agrisecurity program preferences. Potential employers interviewed were from agencies, industries and various allied professions (USDA-APHIS, USDA-FSIS, American Meat Institute, Centers for Disease Control, Nebraska State Department of Agriculture, Raptor Recovery Center, Crop consultants (2), Farm manager (2) , Cheese production manager, Feedlot manager, Veterinarians (2), Nebraska State Epidemiologist, and Wildlife program director. All expressed greater support for a certificate on-line program than for a complete resident Master's program. We became aware of a 5-day program at Colorado State primarily for professionals already employed that overlapped considerably with our proposed graduate program. Also, there will be an undergraduate proposed certificate program (17hr) in Agrosecurity at the U. of Georgia , to be offered in 2008. PRODUCTS: There is a tentative certificate program identified at this time. OUTCOMES: Audience identification based on direct interviews with potential users appears to be principally for non-resident persons already employed in the agricultural sector. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: A prospective Master's program and on-line certificate were widely discussed with prospective users, as presented above. Input from them resulted in modification of our proposed program. FUTURE INITIATIVES: Further development of an on-line certificate program will be the major focus in 2008. Much of that will have to be developed de novo. Expected specific development will be in HACCP in food security and a more general course in agrisecurity.

Impacts
All prospective employers and related individuals with whom we spoke felt that such a program would be valuable to them personally and to the future of their agencies, businesses or professions.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period