Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:The Building a Food Safety Training Program to Empower Disadvantaged Producers in Alabama is designed to help limitedresource minority growers in Alabama meet challenges faced by local farmers. The outreach will aim to provide food safety training and opportunities to underserved communities throughout the Black Belt region of the state. The target counties are noted for their especially low economic status. Most of the target audience will be small farmers with small inherited acreage whose desire is to hold onto their land and pass it down to future generations. These farmers have access to the fertile black belt soil but lack access and knowledge of getting the full benefit of its usage and food safety. Changes/Problems:Challenges/Limitations: Upon writing the proposal for funding, it was identified the farmers would have some need of all trainings indicated. However, due to working with and determining the underserved farmers served through this project were more vulnerable in food safety knowledge and business practices than initially known, more assistance will be required for them to be at the level of selling produce commercially. Therefore, the need for GAP training, GAP audits, Preventive Control, or Better Process Control School wereredirected to food safety trainings and practices as it related to selling locally and donating. Funds were reallocated within guidelines to further equip them for selling locally. The successes of building a food safety training foundation to accommodate this population lends an excellent opportunity to continue program trainings and guidance. Communities Improvement Association, Inc, Tuskegee Extension, and Alabama Extension- Auburn University are committed to moving the revised trainings, innovative in approach, and outreach efforts forward. Additional funding would greatly benefit these efforts and allow a supervised guidance approach to empowering local producers in Alabama. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Communities Improvement Association, Inc (CIA), Tuskegee Extension, and Alabama Cooperative Extension - Auburn University worked collaboratively together to plan, implement, and evaluate all efforts of this project. CIA, TUE, and ACES-AU assisted with conducting these workshops by developing fliers, recruiting farmers, developing and using advisory board members to provide guidance throughout the process, planning programs, trainings and events, attending meetings, planning conference sessions for farmers, planning and hosting farmer market days, and implementing workshops. CIA played a major role in providing compensations to farmers as needed and financial records upon request. CIA and TUE also provided space and accommodations for many of the workshops conducted Dallas and Montgomery counties. ACES provided space for others. Below is a list of counties represented throughout the project included. The counties in bold are Black Belt Counties. Other counties represent underserved farmers that attended from surrounding counties. Each farmer that participated in the programs were compensated by receiving either an honorarium, fee waiver for attending classes with materials, opportunity to attend Tuskegee Famers Conference, or items to participate in the Famers Market Day. Barbour Bullock Lee Macon Barbour Greene Jefferson Montgomery Russell Sumter Tuscaloosa Autauga Dallas Marengo Lowndes Greene Wilcox Tallapoosa Butler Opportunties for Training and Professional Development Provided magnifying glasses, utilized PA System, and increased font on curricula. Developed Common Language Word List for Produce Safety Growers training. Enhanced access to resources and knowledge by providing opportunity and training at Tuskegee Farmers Conference. Growers and Producers attended Tuskegee University Farmers Conference in March 2023 and 2024. Participated in Empowering Farmers breakout sessions. Training and Curriculum Modifications Food Preservation Workshop-accommodated low visionby providing magnifying glasses for canning cookbooks farmers received with approved USDA recipes; accommodated low hearing by utilizing a PA System when presenting; accommodated low literacy by altering presentationmethod andoffering hands-on learning and demonstration. Marketing Local Safe Produce-accommodated low visionby providing magnifying glasses and larger screen projection for printed content provided to the farmers;accommodated low hearing by utilizing a PA System when presenting; accommodated low literacy by modifying curriculum'sreading level using SMOG. Cottage Food Law -Alabama Producers are allowed to sell approved processed items such as jams, jellies (value-added); baked goods such as breads, cakes, and cookies; candies; and fermented products from their home to the public. To meet state compliancy, they must attend the Alabama Cottage Food Law training or another state approved food safety training. Selling Cottage Foods in Alabama was offered to participants as an alternative to learn the law and some food safety requirements needed to become eligible to sell from their home. This was offer as an alternative due to the Alabama Legislature's update to the Alabama Cottage Food Law requiring training revisions. The Alabama Extension food safety team in collaboration with the Alabama Department of Public Health provided extensive food safety revisions, per Alabama legislature updates. This process was timely, yet necessary to ensure food safety practices are followed.Accommodated low visionby providing magnifying glassesand larger screen projection for printed content provided to the farmers;accommodated low hearing by utilizing a PA System when presenting; accommodated low literacy by modifying teaching method when presenting content. Produce Safety Growers Training -accommodated low visionby providing magnifying glassesand larger screen projection for growers manual provided tothe farmers;accommodated low hearing by utilizing a PA System when presenting; accommodated low literacy by developingPlain Language Guidance for theProduce Safety Alliance Grower Training.Participants received kit to include items such as bucket,testing strips, measuring devices, and personal protective equipment (PPE). ServSafe Food Safety Certification Training -accommodated low visionby providing magnifying glasses forServSafe training booksand larger screen projection. ServSafe would not allow for editing of content. However, accommodating teaching methods were utilized to explain content. There was a 100% pass rate;accommodated low hearing by utilizing a PA System when presenting. Participants received a ServSafe Food Safety Certification certificate that is good for five years and required by the Alabama Department of Public Health to operate food service establishments. Farm Innovation Project Activities -utilized water testing, how to build an in-field hand washing station (demonstration), discussion of cool bot activity, and chemical label reading and mixing chemicalas part of the Produce Safety Alliance Growers Training. Farmer Curriculum Review -provided opportunity for 25Black Belt farmers to provide feedback on Alabama Cottage Food Law and Marketing Safe Local Produce curriculums. Comments were documented and revisions were made.n = 25; 8 female 17 male; 25 black. Empowering Farmers -"Farmers Market Day" -hostedtwo Famers Market Day events as an opportunity for farmers that has participated in the project to display what they learned and sell their produce. Events were successful and sustainable in that they will continue in effort led by Alabama Extension Food Safety Team and Tuskegee Extension. All curriculum revisions and content development is being and will be utilized statewide by the Alabama Extension Food Safety Team. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been disseminated at the Southern Center Director's meeting conducted on zoom September 2024. Updates were provided to attendees. Also, video success story was developed by Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) - Auburn University. This video provides testimonies of farmers that participated in and benefited from the project. Alabama Extension has also featured highlights on the ACES website. Famer Testimonial Video and Project Overview: www.aces.edu/go/EmpoweringFarmersProgram orhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiyzHnWiea0 ACES Feature Article:https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/food-safety/farmers-market-program-empowers-producers-in-black-belt/ George Washington Carver Festival held in Montgomery County was an event where canning information and project overview was shared with the public. Empowering Farmers Market Day was planned for Juneteenth Celebration in collaboration with Communities Improvement Association, Inc.,but executed in July 2024. Tuskegee University Farmers Conference was held in Montgomery, AL. Empowering Farmers provided food safety training sessions each year of this project for the farmers that attended. 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. To Modify and adapt food safety training for socially disadvantaged farmers by altering existing curricula and developing supplemental training tools for low-literacy, low-vision, low-hearing beginning farmers. Food Preservation Workshop Marketing Local Safe Produce Cottage Food Law Produce Safety Growers Training ServSafe Food Safety Certification Training Farm Innovation Project Activities Empowering Farmer Curriculum Review Empowering Farmers -"Farmers Market Day" Objective 2. Train socially disadvantaged farmers in 12 counties in the Black Belt region of Alabama. Conducted the following activities: 2 Food Preservation Workshop n=37 2 Marketing Local Safe Produce n=43 2 Cottage Food Law trainings n=40 2 Produce Safety Growers Training n=29 1 ServSafe Food Safety Certification Training n=6 2 Empowering Farmers -"Farmers Market Day" n=15 Total participants = 187(exceeded our goal of 100 producers) - this includes the curriculum review n=25. Objective 3. Evaluate the project using a mixed-method approach that assesses socially disadvantaged farmer's knowledge and impact throughout the program. Project Accommodations: 80% indicated the magnifying glass was helpful to those who needed it to see better. 89.2% indicated the PA system made it easier to hear. 84% indicated the program was easier or somewhat easier to understand and remember than other food safety programs attended. Produce Safety Growers Training 19 survey respondents (29 total) 21participants 2 did not complete survey; 8 capacity building at beginning of project. 8 capacity building participants provided feedback for revisions. Four Black Belt counties represented. 26% (n = 5) were veterans; 68% (n = 13) were not; 1 did not respond 89% n = 17 African American, 5% n = 1 white, 16% n = 3 two or more races; 63%n= 12 female, 47% n= 9 male Survey Findings 2 respondents reported that this was the first food safety program they had ever attended. Majority of respondents (84%; n = 16) felt more comfortable harvesting, processing, and selling to the public after attending the training. Conclusion: Produce Safety Growers Capacity Building: At the beginning of the project, a capacity building training was offered to farmers and advisory board members to provide guidance on ways to improve the learning environment and experience. From this training suggestions were considered. Meetings with PSA team and program team led to development of grower training adaptions. PSA Growers Training: Most farmers that attended this training were exempt; however,felt the need to learn more tobe empowered for future opportunities.Developed common language word list to accommodate low literacy (95% n= 18 indicated program was easier or somewhat easier to understand) farmers and provided magnifyingglasses to low vision. Farmers expressed they learned safe water practices, worker safety, FSMA produce rules, sanitation, how to develop a food farm food safety plan, and importance of record keeping. ServSafe Training 6 survey respondents 83% (n = 5) were not veterans; 17% (n = 1) were veterans 1 Black Belt County represented may be due to location of training. 67% n=4 African American; 33% n=2 more than two races; 33% n=2 male; 66% n=4 female Survey Findings 100% of the respondents met requirements by passing their ServSafe Food Safety certification exam. This certification is in compliance with the Alabama Department of Public Health and is good for five years. It allows the producer to sell food in an approved foodservice establishment. Selling Cottage Foods in Alabama 21 survey respondents 90% (n = 19) were males; 10% (n = 2) were female 86% (n = 18) African American; 10% (n = 2) Native American/Alaskan Native Majority of respondents (71%; n = 15) did not sell cottage foods at the time the survey was completed. 3 respondents (14%) indicated that they did sell cottage foods; 3 individuals (14%) did not respond to this item Conclusion:Majority of the respondents did not sell cottage foods at the time of the survey, but showed interest. Majority learned more about cottage food requirements, resources and steps to start their business. Tuskegee Farmers Conference - Cottage Food Law 16 survey respondents 94% (n = 15) were not veterans; 6% (n = 1) were veterans 5 of the 8 counties represented were Black Belt counties; 4 represented underserved population in surrounding counties: 100% n=16 black; 75% n=12 female 25% n=4 male; 1 Veteran Survey Findings Conclusion: In collaboration with Tuskegee University, 16 respondents were afforded the opportunity to attend the Tuskegee Farmers Conference to participate in the Alabama Cottage Food Law's updated training. The revised version included food safety updates as it pertained to changes in the law. Majority of respondents indicated low vision (69%; n = 11), low hearing 75% (n = 12) 1 respondent somewhat agreed and 1 did not need a PA System, and low literacy (81%; n = 13) accommodations were accomplished with availability of magnifying glasses, use of PA system, and modified curriculum content. Majority (88%; n = 14) felt more comfortable with harvesting, processing and selling to the public having attended this training. 93% felt more comfortable selling products to the public. Respondents indicated they learned about water activity, labeling, and canning temperatures. They expressed they would share this information with other farmers. They have an increased awareness of food allergies, proper ways to clean and sanitize, and how to start their business, including how to obtain a business license. These trainings are continuing to be offered through the Alabama Extension and managed by the food safety team. Marketing Safe Local Produce 43 survey respondents 77% (n = 33) were not veterans; 19% (n = 8) were veterans 8 Black Belt counties (n = 31); 3 counties (n = 10) represented underserved population in surrounding counties: 2 respondents did not indicate their county or provide answers to the survey. 100% n=43 black; 49% n=21 female, 51% n=22 male Conclusion: Majority of respondents felt the need for low vision (88%; n = 21), low hearing 88% (n = 38), and low literacy (86%; n = 37) accommodations were accomplished with availability of magnifying glasses, use of PA system, and modified curriculum content. Majority (93%; n = 40) felt more comfortable with harvesting, processing and selling to the public having attended this training. Some indicated they learned new concepts as it related to washing produce, cleaning and sanitizing, temperature control, building an in-field handwashing station, and safe food storage. Participants were given guidance as to how they can connect their need with future trainings through Alabama Extension's programs and activities. Canning Workshop (Pre-Post Assessment) Demographics After attending the workshop, respondents reported the following: 47 survey respondents 100% African American (only 30/47 respondents reported race) 26% male (n = 12); 38% female (n = 18); 36% no response (n = 17) Learning Targets After attedning the workshop, respondents reported the following: 62% (n = 29) will put jars in a water bath when making jams or jellies. 60% (n = 28) understand that the jars should be covered with 1 - 2 inches of water when water bath canning. 64% (n = 30) know to never reuse flat lids. 49% (n = 23) understand that green beans should not be water bath canned. Behaviors 87% (n = 41) use USDA-approved recipes. 91% (n = 43) do not use mayonnaise jars for canning. Conclusion: Respondents learned how to safely can and process jams and jellies as a value-added market item. They were encouraged to participate in the Alabama Cottage Food Law training if so desired to start an at-home business. Hands-on live demonstration was conducted with the water-bath canning method. Other methods of canning were discussed. Results indicate an increase in knowledge of behavior for safe canning methods compared to pre-workshop.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audience has been consistent throughout the project. The Building a Food Safety Training Program to Empower Disadvantaged Producers in Alabama is designed to help limitedresource minority growers in Alabama meet challenges faced by local farmers. The outreach will aim to provide food safety training and opportunities to underserved communities throughout the Black Belt region of the state. The target counties are noted for their especially low economic status. Most of the target audience will be small farmers with small inherited acreage whose desire is to hold onto their land and pass it down to future generations. These farmers have access to the fertile black belt soil but lack access and knowledge of getting the full benefit of its usage and food safety. Changes/Problems:One of the major change that has occurred over the past year is the need to extend the project one year. This is due to me not being able to meet all objectives before the close of the project year. This is the correspondence that was submitted as request for extension. "Good afternoon Awards Management Team, I am the PD on "Building a Food Safety Training Program to Empower Disadvantaged Producers in Alabama" (below) and would like to request a one year no cost-cost extension for this project. This will be my first NCE. The reason for the extension request is all objectives have not been met due to project setbacks in development of materials. These setback has come as a result of me having a new role that has required more time than expected. We are currently in the delivery phase and finishing up a final part of the developmental phase (Produce Safety Grower's Training word list). So far, the project has been a HUGE success. Producers and growers have embraced the food safety outreach throughout the Black Belt part of Alabama. We really would like more time to ensure all objectives are met and as many producers are empowered as possible. Thank you, Janice" ? What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project has provided professional development through attending the Southen Center Annual Meeting. Co-PIs from Auburn and Tuskegee had an opportunity to present at the NIFA-USDA Director's Meeting. 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? Continue to develop, finalize, and implement Produce Safety Growerscommon language word list. Offer course utilizing this tool. Plan and conduct Empowering Farmers Market Day - opportunity for growers to sell their produce, educate their customers on food safety practices they have learned. Currently working on partnership with Bu-ee's Auburn to host one of two event locations. Conduct ServSafe food handler as certification opportunity for becoming Cottage Food Law eligible. Producers will be market ready for local markets. Continue to offer Marketing Safe Local Produce for growers throughout the Black Belt. Attend at least one professional development conference.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The Alabama Extension, Tuskegee University, Communities Improvement Association, and advisory board members have assisted in developing the project's revised curriculum Marketing Safe Local Produce (formally Enhancing the Safety of Locally Grown Produce). The food safety outreach was conducted at the Tuskegee University Farmers Conference and the Black Belt counties. Growers learned the importance of good agricultural practices, marketing of their harvest, and agribusiness. Curriculum was modified to accommodate low vision, low literacy, and hard of hearing through use of a PA System. Tuskegee University Extension specialists and agents created a modified version of the Alabama Cottage Food Law. This was done because the formally used curriculum was under redevelopment due to changes in the Alabama Cottage Food Law. Doing the modification allowed producers to receive an overview of the new law, food safety information, and alternative ways to start their cottage food law business. Produce Safety Growers training modifications were piloted at a growers training. Feedback was provided and modifications were made as a result of the recommendations. Farm Innovation activities were used for hand on learning to reinforce what was taught in the class. Additionally, a session was offered to a group of growers who needed to begin the GAP audit process. They had an opportunity to sell their produce to Auburn University dining. Growers were given step by step instructions on their laptops as to how construct a food safety plan and begin the paperwork process of record keeping. Conducted a canning workshop for producers who wanted to learn how to process jams and jellies and sell thorough the Alabama Cottage Food Law.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audience: The Building a Food Safety Training Program to Empower Disadvantaged Producers in Alabama is designed to help limited-resource minority growers in Alabama meet challenges faced by local farmers. The outreach will aim to provide food safety training and opportunities to underserved communities throughout the Black Belt region of the state. The target counties are noted for their especially low economic status. Most of the target audience will be small farmers with small inherited acreage whose desire is to hold onto their land and pass it down to future generations. These farmers have access to the fertile black belt soil but lack access and knowledge of getting the full benefit of its usage and food safety. Established an advisory board comprised of six farmers from the Black Belt counties in Alabama. Conducted capacity building Produce Safety Alliance training with disadvantaged growers and collaborating partners in effort to gain feedback on delivery, accommodating recommendations with literacy, and program activities to meet. Conducted Produce Safety Growers training for disadvantaged farmers that have an opportunity to sell produce to Auburn University on campus dining this Fall. Collaborating partners conducted a Food Processing "Canning Workshop" to teach farmers how to process their fruits and vegetables for value added sales opportunities. Changes/Problems:Major change: Below is email correspondence for requesting reallocation of my time percentage in order to hire a Project Assistant due to my new role. The project assistant was hired and is currently carrying out the agreed upon responsibilities of the project. "Awards, Program has already approved the proposed change. J Mark Carter (pronouns he, him) National Program Leader Div. Food Safety USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture USDA mobile phone 816-820-9533 From: Janice Hall Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2021 9:16 AM To: SM.awards - NIFA Cc: Carter, Mark - REE-NIFA, Kansas City, MO Subject: [External Email]RE: Reallocation of Funds for CONTRACT/GRANT/AGREEMENT NO: 2021-70020-35680 PROPOSAL NO: 2021-05761 [External Email] If this message comes from an unexpected sender or references a vague/unexpected topic; Use caution before clicking links or opening attachments. Please send any concerns or suspicious messages to: Spam.Abuse@usda.gov Hello my name is Janice Hall and I am the PD for CONTRACT/GRANT/AGREEMENT NO:2021-70020-35680PROPOSAL NO:2021-05761. I would like to reallocate a percentage of my salary and time to hiring an assistant to help in the outreach planning and implementation efforts with the FSOP grant. The reason I am making this request is because I have accepted a new role with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (same organization). I am currently serving as a County Extension Coordinator for Macon County, AL. This new role has altered my initial time commitment. My area of expertise has not changed, it will still be food safety and additional new roles. None of our objectives will change; we hope to increase productivity with this option. I am still planning and excited about carrying out this project. Can this be allowed? All necessary procedures will be followed with Auburn University to ensure reallocated funds are accurately accounted for. I am attaching the current and revised (if approved) budget outline. Thanks, Janice" What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Trainings conducted: Produce Safety Alliance Growers training - capacity building Produce Safety Alliance Growers training - Disadvantaged grower opportunity to sell to university dining. Food processing training - Canning Workshop Professional Development: Co-PI presented Empowering Farmers Project at The Southern Center Annual Meeting in Savannah, GA Attended and presented at Food Safety Outreach Program Project Directors Meeting in Orlando, FL Co-PI presented updated at International Association for Food Protection Annual Meeting in Pittsburg, PA How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Currently, the project is still underway for modifying content and conducting outreaches. However, updates to progress have been presented at Southern Center Annual Meeting, FSOP Project Director's Meeting, IAFP, collaborating partners, and project supporters. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue to modify and adapt educational materials. Adaptations will include large-print handouts, videos, large print slide-figures, hands-on activities, in addition to ideas presented by the advisory group. The project will also use tools such as magnifiers and presentation adaptions (e.g., large screens and PA systems) that would enhance the learning experience. Adaptions in progress: Enhancing the Safety of Locally Grown Produce (FSMA-aligned direct market grower curriculum) Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Cottage Food Law - to include jams, jellies, dry herbs and herb mixes processing Food processing - Canning Workshop Offer programs by modifying delivery method to accommodate low literacy, low vision, low hearing farmers. Farm Innovation Project (used as a modification tool to enhance learning objectives by providing hands on activities. ServSafe Food Safety Certification for growers who may have or be inspired to cook and sell their fresh produce from an approved kitchen. Preventive Controls School for growers who have been established in the process of growing and selling their produce but want to meet industry standards in processing. Develop a word list to be used with conducting produce safety training. This will help to identify common language words that can be used to substitute for more difficult words. For example, instead of saying "encompasses" use "includes". The goal is to lower the reading level of food safety content without changing the science base meaning. This tool will be submitted to the Produce Safety Alliance for review and consideration of national educational accommodator. Conduct modified food safety training to growers in the Black Belt part of Alabama. Identify opportunities and resources for farmers to sell produce to schools and other market venues. Plan and conduct two Community-Wide Farmers Market Resource Day events. This will give growers an opportunity to sell produce and showcase their food safety knowledge to customers. Evaluate and report all program initiatives and successes.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1. Modify and adapt food safety training for socially disadvantaged farmers by altering existing curricula and developing supplemental training tools for low literacy, low vision, low hearing new farmers. Objective 2. Train socially disadvantaged farmers in 12 counties in the Black Belt region of Alabama. Objective 3. Evaluate the project using a mixed-method approach that assesses socially disadvantaged farmer's knowledge and impact throughout the program. Objective 1 Met with Produce Safety Alliance Leaders to seek guidance on limitations and possibilities of increasing font and modifying language to lower literacy level by taking out contextual words that were more than three syllable and replacing them with one and two syllable words without changes the science content. It was decided that modification of font size was a great idea as long as wording did not change. This has been completed and is under review. This was done to accommodate low vision farmers. Also, pictures have been added, but more will be under review. Another modification that in is progress is developing a word list of words that are not common language for low literacy farmers. The Co-PI is working with Auburn University Department of Education to determine the best method of screening the curriculum to develop this list. This will be used as a supplemental tool for growers to have and refer to when training is being conducted and post training review. It will also be a tool that trainers can have and use when conducting the training. This will assist in modifying the language to accommodate lower-level learners. This initiative is the most complex and is projected to pilot/deliver in February 2023. Partnering with Virginia Tech to modify their version of Enhancing the Safety of Locally Grown Produce. Food Safety team members have taken their online version and made it accommodating for low vision and low literacy growers by increasing font, adding pictures, and modifying words to lower reading level. It will also have a new component on agribusiness. This will help our famers better understand the business side of farming and how food safety and profit go hand in hand. SMOG test is currently being used to assess the reading levels. It is currently and will be under review by Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Tuskegee University Extension and Communities Improvement Association, Inc (collaborating partners), and Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind. It is planned to pilot/deliver this training by the end of the year 2022. Developing a project logo. Objective 2 Established an advisory board comprised of six farmers from the Black Belt counties in Alabama. They have provided feedback on outreach timeline and personal experience with past food safety experience. They will soon be reviewing modified food safety curriculum for ease of learning and application capabilities. Conducted capacity building Produce Safety Alliance training with growers and collaborating partners in effort to gain feedback on delivery, accommodating recommendations with literacy, and program activities to meet. This training was conducted in partnership with FSOP Farm Innovation Project. The Farm Innovation program provided hands on activities for audience in water testing, handwashing, and sanitation. Conducted Produce Safety Growers training for disadvantaged farmers that have an opportunity to sell produce to Auburn University on campus dining this Fall. Further adaptations conducted via use of FSOP Farm Innovation Project as hands on learning tools. Growers also received hands on training on writing a food safety plan for Produce Safety and Good Agriculture Practices (GAPs). Both are needed to comply with buyer requirements. Collaborating partners conducted a Food Processing "Canning Workshop" to teach farmers how to process their fruits and vegetables for value added sales opportunities. Due to COVID, I was unable to do a full hands-on demonstration. Communities Improvement Association provided and evaluated the knowledge base content with intent to conduct a demonstration October 11, 2022. Objective 3 Evaluation instrument has been developed for canning workshop. Evaluation instrument for other programs are still being developed as materials are being modified.
Publications
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