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Agrosecurity Awareness Local Training

Our agriculture and food industries are very vulnerable to terrorism and other disasters. Did you know that most cities have no more than a seven-day supply of food? Would you or your personnel be able to recognize an agricultural incident and then know what to do about it? The fact is that Georgia could be devastated economically by an attack on agriculture. Agroterrorism presents unique problems to the emergency management network and to those who work in agriculture-related business that can be minimized if potential responders are properly trained.

In 2005 and early 2006, under the auspices of the Georgia Committee on Agriculture and Food Defense, Agrosecurity Awareness training was provided in locations throughout Georgia by UGA Cooperative Extension. Plans are currently underway to establish a sustained training program, and more information will be on this site when additional training is available. In the meantime, if you are interested in having this program presented to an appropriate group in Georgia, you can e-mail donhamil@uga.edu for more information.

Included in this training is information stressing the economic importance of agriculture and food, examples of potential problems, and what to do if a problem arises. This training is made possible by the U.S. Office of Domestic Preparedness in cooperation with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, the Georgia Department of Agriculture, the University of Georgia, and the United States Department of Agriculture.

Audience

Agrosecurity Awareness training was developed by the Georgia Committee on Agriculture & Food Defense for those who have a potential role in responding to an agricultural incident. Participants include those involved in production agriculture or agribusiness, as well as first responders from local and state governments and volunteer organizations who respond to all types of emergencies. Examples include:

• Agricultural chemical distributors and retailers
• Agriculture Educators
• Agricultural fair managers
• Agriculture-related organizations and cooperatives
• Emergency Management and Response personnel
• Environmental Health Officers
• Fire Fighters
• Food processing managers
• Food wholesale and retail industry representatives
• Farmers and commodity group leaders
• Food & Agriculture-related Local, State and Federal agency personnel
• Green Industry representatives
• Health Care responders
• Law Enforcement personnel
• Livestock and poultry industry representatives
• Public Works
• State government leaders and congressional staff
• Veterinarians, technicians, assistants and animal health specialists
• Other first responders

6 hours credit is offered in each of the following categories:

• Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council (post)
• Georgia Fire Academy
• Georgia Firefighters Standards and Training
• Georgia Department of Human Resources, Office of Emergency Medical Services
• Georgia State Board of Veterinary Medicine
• Certified Crop Advisor (3.0 pest management; 1.0 crop management; 1.0; nutrient management 1.0 soil and water management)

Additional credit hours:

• 4 hours: Animal Feeding Operators certified by the Georgia Department of Agriculture
• 1 hour: Pesticide Applicators Recertification in any Commercial category and Private
• 1.5 hours: ISA Arborists

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[ This page was last updated on Thursday, May 4, 2006. ]

Note: All materials on these pages are unfinished and are to be considered in a draft state. The materials are intended for viewing by individuals only and are not intended for use in presentation by those not associated with the Georgia Agroterrorism Committee. Requests for use other than those indicated should be made to corbrown@vet.uga.edu.

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