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EXTENSION EDUCATORS PROVIDE TRAINING IN GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES (GAP) FOR FRUIT AND VEGETABLE GROWERS IN NEBRASKA.

Extension Education

Gary Lesoing
EXTENSION EDUCATOR
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN EXTENSION
AUBURN

Abstract

\r\n About 48 million people in the United States get sick each year from foodborne diseases, according to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  In 2011 the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) was signed into law.  When FSMA is fully implemented fruit and vegetable grower may be facing new regulations aimed at preventing food contamination of produce by bacteria, viruses and parasites that cause human illness.  The issue of foodborne illness and its prevention is a new one for most fruit and vegetable growers.  Contamination of produce may occur at any stage of production, harvest, postharvest handling or transportation.  The objective of this project was to provide education to growers on Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and assist them in developing farm food safety plans.  A series of 5, 2-day workshops were conducted across Nebraska by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension and the Rural Initiative.  Through these workshops, participants learned what causes foodborne illness, and how contamination can be prevented.  They began to assess the current strengths and weaknesses of their production operations regarding food safety and learned how to integrate GAP practices into their farm operations and began to write a farm food safety plan.  A survey of participants following the workshops to measure knowledge gained on GAPs indicated 95% increased their knowledge of field production practices that reduce the risk of produce contamination.  Three months after the program, a survey indicated 74% implemented a hygiene program for all employees.  This will reduce the potential for foodborne diseases.   

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Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.

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Authors: G.W. Lesoing, K. Peterson, K. Schnuelle, S. Browning, V.E. Hammond, E. Killinger, D., Lott, M. Rethwisch, A., Nygren, K. De Boer, C., Foster
  1. Lesoing, G. Extension Educator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, Nebraska, 68305
  2. Peterson, K. Outreach Program Specialist, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Rural Initiative, Nebraska, 68583
  3. Schnuelle, K. Connecting Young Nebraskans Coordinator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Rural Initiative, Nebraska, 68583
  4. Browning, S. Extension Educator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, Nebraska, 68528
  5. Hammond, V. Extension Educator, University of Nebraska-Lncoln Extension, Nebraska, 68410
  6. Killinger, E. Extension Educator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, Nebraska, 68801
  7. Lott, D. Extension Educator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, Nebraska, 69101
  8. Rethwisch, M. Extension Educator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, Nebraska, 68632
  9. Nygren, A. Extension Educator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, Nebraska, 68661
  10. De Boer, K. Extension Educator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, Nebraska, 69162
  11. Foster, C. Promotion and Development Specialist, Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Nebraska, 68509