Kentucky has many produce auctions that are unique in that they are typically owned and operated by members of the Plain community (Amish and Mennonite) and are the primary outlet for farmers of the Plain community. Plain community growers do not use modern technology or the internet as farming information sources, and most do not belong to a formal farm organization. Therefore, education and practices in food safety need to be adapted to maintain food safety standards while being able to deliver in a manner that respects their background, cultural restrictions, and limitations. This barrier to modern technology presents a significant challenge in incorporating current food safety throughout their farms. If the federal food safety modernization acts requirements and training are not tailored to this particular population, the plain community grower farms in Kentucky cannot comply with the federal food safety standards, thereby preventing the Plain community growers from being able to sell fresh produce from their farms. Such a situation will not only put their livelihood in jeopardy, they will also be at risk of direct federal and state penalties for non-compliance, which include hourly re-inspection fees ($225/hour or more), suspension of facility registration, and product recalls. As UK's Food Safety Specialist and Produce Safety program lead, Paul wanted to ensure such cultural background limitations do not prevent Plain community growers from being included in the training. In addition, he wanted to create a sense of belonging, provide them access to training like regular growers, and deliver tailored resources to meet the FDA's compliance timeline. Therefore, Paul convinced three regional FDA officers and one regional associate from the Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) to attend a hearing session with representatives from the Amish and Mennonite communities in Kentucky at the Lincoln County Produce Auction in Crab Orchard on October 17, 2018. After the hearing session, the FDA and PSA permitted Paul to alter his presentation mode to deliver culturally appropriate FSMA and general on-farm food safety outreach materials through hardcopies and hands-on format.

IMPACT: A total of 46 Food Safety Modernization Act trainings have been conducted so far in Kentucky that has trained 806 Kentucky growers. Fourteen of the 46 trainings were conducted specifically for the Plain community growers in Kentucky, which trained 284 Amish and Mennonite growers who now comply with the Federal Produce Safety rule. And the growers can produce fresh fruits and vegetables that meet the FDA's science-based minimum standards.
So far, 40 Amish farms have participated in a voluntary on-farm readiness review, learning about food safety gaps in their farms and how to improve compliance with the new federal FSMA-PSR.

Four field days were organized to educate the Amish and Mennonite growers and introduce and create awareness about their unique educational resources.
Paul also identified a Horticulture Extension agent in Christian county, Kelly Jackson, who predominantly worked with the Plain community growers and got him certified as a PSA trainer to be able to answer pressing produce safety questions at the county level. Paul also convinced the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to station a field representative for the FSMA-PSR in the Western Kentucky area, which has the most plain community growers in Kentucky.