On-farm worker food safety training via a mixed media toolkit
Our IMRE team is working with Extension researchers at the University of Maryland, University of Maryland Eastern Shore to create educational materials to train small and medium-sized farms that grow produce in food safety procedures to meet federal requirements. The project, “TRAIN: Targeted Resources Addressing Identified Needs in Maryland worker food safety training via on-farm piloting of a mixed media toolkit,” is funded by a four-year USDA-NIFA grant awarded to Drs. Shauna Henley and Angela Ferreli.
Collaboration on design and development is currently in motion. Products will include a Train-the-Trainer (TtT) program for farm supervisors and a toolkit for farm supervisors to enhance grower learning and behaviors.
A goal of the project is to develop and introduce the Train-the-Trainer process to farm supervisors, to provide them with best practices and skills to utilize the toolkit to train their farm workers. The toolkits for farm supervisors are a way to improve food safety. The toolkits include visual and tactile training materials and are in accordance with required Food Safety Modernization Act’s (FSMA) Produce Safety Rules. Currently our team is working on pre-production and production stages of an introductory animation and four interactive modules.
Written by Pamela Martinez, Assistant Professor, Extension Learning Technology Specialist.