COVID-19 Rapid Response: Proving Competency-Based Learning Educational Strategies To Create Measurable Carcass Management Competencies In Farm Labor

As we raise food in the US competent labor prepared to manage daily livestock mortalities andpotential depopulation catastrophes as agriculture faces now during COVID-19 maximizes theability for American producers to prosper. Knowing depopulation could happen again with ForeignAnimal Disease (FAD) our COVID-19 experiences underline the importance of innovativecompetency-based educational technologies to best prepare farm labor to care for daily livestockmortalities and also be ready to manage carcasses during catastrophes. Expanding mortalitymanagement training via technologies like this goes beyond the farm and contributes toenvironmental stewardship thus adding to societal value. Phase I will prove technology efficacy viaresearch and development of an innovative and engaging competency-based educational labprototype alongside pre- and post- training assessment. Results will drive potential Phase IIeducational research development and commercialization of competency-based educationaltechnology related to the protection of agricultural animals in a way that enhances the biosecurityof our herds and flocks. Preliminary research shows that baseline competencies range from 25-60%with traditional training methods. We anticipate this innovation will achieve between 85-100%competency post training. To commercialize we would place on online learning managementsoftware and charge subscriptions per employee per year to access the technology alongside alibrary of learning experiences. As we deliver and market the positive proof of this innovative labprototype post Phase I this increases and maintains subscription while augmenting our ability tofurther commercialize and reach new subscribers. Improving American labor competencies allowsAmerican producers to remain competitive in the global marketplace and contributes to global foodsecurity.