1. SETH URBANOWITZ & CAROL BISHOP PRODUCE SAFETY: LESSONS FROM NEVADA

2. BACKGROUND ON NEVADA: WE GROW MORE THAN ALIENS > New Jersey

3. FORCES OF CHANGE The feds are coming! Consumer concern Certification nation: the assurance matrix Market access Increased interest in local foods

4. MEETING THE NEEDS Minimal programming occurring historically Conducted on-farm food safety trainings, Las Vegas / Reno 2013-2014 Small to medium sized farms Direct marketing GAPs FSMA Curriculum and fact sheets Technical assistance Is it right for me? Buyer requirements What should I do? Plan development

5. SUCCESSES Over 100 participants Farmers, public health professionals and agricultural professionals Partnerships health departments, NV Dept. of Ag., and farmers Transfer of knowledge Grant-seeking Understanding of: Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) Risk management in the context of food safety Food safety regulatory aspects as it relates to fresh produce Worker health and hygiene practices Agricultural water use practices Soil amendments, manure and composting practices How to reduce the risk that wildlife and animals pose to on-farm food safety The process of sanitizing tools and equipment Recordkeeping and traceability methods Food safety practices for direct marketing (CSA’s, agritourism, farmers’ markets) Good Handling Practices (GHPs) How to complete a food safety plan The relationship between produce quality and food safety

6. FACILITATING RISK MITIGATION

7. CORRELATED PROGRAMMING Step from knowledge to action Perceived roadblocks to GAP certification Mock Audit workshops 17 adult 43 hs youth Food Safety Plan workshops Currently few certified Cost share until July 30, 2015

8. WHAT’S NEEDED Longitudinal data on changes of practices and market access Costs Communicate and advise on cost-effective approaches Is it worth it? Focused and partnered programming Wildlife, composting, water, record keeping

9. MESSAGES THAT WORK Producer acceptance is not high “I’m a farmer, I walk from chicken coop to field” “Animals are a part of farms, they can’t be excluded” “Shouldn’t the consumer be told to wash – seems to be a burden on farmers” Function of size, place, familiarity, other factors All farmers want to: Produce safe food “Unsafe food has consequences” Limit lost produce Relationship between IPM, produce quality and safety Sell produce Market access

10. TAKEAWAY Interest is high, not necessarily so with certification Important source of information to health professionals and farmers Inclusive programming meets varied needs best No large differences in attendees, knowledge gains or overall rating associated with program length (1,2,3 – day trainings)