Path C The Nevada Department of Agriculture(NDA) Cooperative Agreement Project for maintenance and administration of a FSMA PSR compliant Produce Food Safety Program

Nevada Department of Agriculture Plant Industry Division Project Summary The FDA's Cooperative Agreement Program for States and Territories to Implement National Produce Safety Program PAR-21-174 Project Period 2021-2026 Date:4/20/2021 Project /Summary A primary objective within the Nevada Department of Agriculture’s (NDA) mission statement is to promote, protect and preserve Nevada Agriculture. As a result, coordinating a state produce safety education and compliance program is a priority. A self-assessment will be performed to ensure a comprehensive program is established in Nevada. This assessment will include the following: evaluating the NDA’s producer certificate program for effectiveness in capturing necessary farm inventory data; producer education needs; regional challenges; long-term training resources adapted to various production models; and succession planning. The information obtained through these assessment approaches will allow for a feasible plan to be developed and implemented involving NDA’s produce safety education and compliance program. NDA will further establish a produce safety education, training, and outreach program that is geared at Nevada producers. This will be done through cooperative agreement funded staff and through a grower partnership sub-award that will serve as a model working farm for small producers in adopting preventative food safety measures. This approach is anticipated to prompt participants to initiate changes that will result in compliance. This program will be formed through participation in Produce Safety Alliance trainings and by collaborating with FDA and other state programs. Based on previous experience in coordinating trainings, producers are anticipated to be more likely to attend in state trainings which is why NDA will be establishing an in-state education, training, and technical assistance program. Farm assessments will be a component of Nevada’s program to provide one-on-one technical assistance with farmers. The NDA will operate under in-state PSR authority (to be established July 1, 2021 through BDR 1100) and will continue developing a state inspection program. As a result, regulatory staff will attend trainings as recommended by FDA to prepare staff for performing regulatory services and in establishing a state regulatory program. A training matrix and Standard Operating Procedures will be established to ensure inspectors are well trained on farming practices and the PSR. Further to share resources and ensure consistency among state’s enforcement of PSR, the NDA will coordinate with the Western Region Produce Safety team, Produce Safety Alliance, FDA, and in-state partners.