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Biosafety Safari: Educating Tennessee Agritourism Operators on Biosafety Risks

Alaina Boyd

Summary

The agritourism sector in the United States is growing rapidly. In Tennessee alone, the agritourism industry accounts for approximately $24.5 million dollars in revenue (2022 Census of Agriculture, NASS, USDA). With the surge in agritourism operations in the U.S., the need for practical and effective biosafety practices on the farm is as imperative as ever. There exists an inherent risk associated with animal encounters and the public. The implications of biosafety risks, such as the spread of zoonotic disease, can have detrimental impacts on public health as well as the public’s perception of the agritourism industry.

In an effort to foster a culture of biosafety risk awareness and preparedness among agritourism producers, the University of Tennessee’s Center for Profitable Agriculture, the Tennessee Agritourism Association, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, and the Tennessee Department of Health hosted a one-day event at the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere in April 2023. Educational presentations from both animal and public health officials surrounding biosafety risks and how to properly manage those on an agritourism operation were addressed. Sixty-two producers attended the event, along with sixteen technical assistance providers or industry representatives. This session will cover the results from the Biosafety Safari event as well as examine its impact on agritourism operators and their biosafety preparedness in Tennessee.

Details

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