Agricultural Rapid Response System

John Shutske, Professor and Extension Specialist
Michele Schermann, Research Fellow
Debra Ehret-Miller, Project Coordinator

Objective

Develop a comprehensive protocol and delivery system to respond to educational needs of Minnesota’s agricultural industry within 6 to 12 hours of a major emergency or disaster.

Need or Impact

Minnesota’s agricultural industry is often disproportionately affected by natural and manmade emergency and disaster events. This system includes a protocol for rapid dissemination of state-of-the art information following an emergency event, and appropriate on-site technical assistance from Extension staff.

Status

A needs assessment of Extension staff with agricultural/food system responsibilities indicates gaps in knowledge, but a clear desire to become better trained and more deeply involved in agricultural response issues. A protocol is being developed to allow Extension staff (specialists, educators, and others) to respond rapidly and effectively to agriculturally-related emergencies. Memorandums of understanding are being created with various state, regional, and county-based agencies to formalize Extension’s role. Staff development sessions on agricultural response will occur in 2006.