Register

On-Farm Biosecurity Conference at UC Davis

"Protecting Animal Health, Food Safety, and Our Global Food Supply"

Conference Host:
Western Institute for Food Safety and Security at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine

Conference Details:

June 1, 2026 at 9:00AM thru June 3, 2026 at 4:00PM

*There is an optional field trip on Thursday, June 4th, 2026 – visit Hilmar Cheese factory and dairy farm.

Conference starts in:

Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

To ensure a high-quality and collaborative experience, students selected for the conference should meet the following criteria:

  • Age Requirement: Must be 18 years of age or older at the time of the conference
  • Enrollment Status: Currently enrolled in a community college or undergraduate program
  • Interest Alignment: Demonstrated interest in one or more of the following areas:
    • agriculture, on-farm biosecurity, animal health, veterinary medicine, epidemiology, disease management, public health, One Health, food safety, or farm management
  • Pre-Conference Preparation: Willingness to complete a set of online biosecurity training modules prior to attending the conference
  • Engagement Commitment: Willingness to actively participate in all conference activities, including lectures, discussions, and field experiences
  • Collaborative Work: Ability and willingness to work in small groups to develop a practical on-farm biosecurity plan
  • Presentation Participation: Willingness to contribute to a short group presentation at the conclusion of the conference
  • Professional Conduct: Commitment to respectful, professional behavior in a team-based learning environment
  • Full Attendance:  Availability to attend the full conference program June 1 – 3 (required for stipend eligibility)
Register Today

What is on-farm biosecurity?

On-farm biosecurity refers to the practices used to prevent the introduction and spread of diseases on livestock and agricultural operations. These measures—such as controlling animal movement, maintaining sanitation protocols, and managing visitor access—help protect animal health and reduce the risk of outbreaks that can disrupt food production. Strong biosecurity is essential to the safety and security of our food supply, as it helps ensure that healthy animals produce safe, reliable food while minimizing economic losses and protecting public health.

Why should I attend this conference?

This conference introduces college students to on-farm biosecurity practices that protect animal health and ensure a safe food supply. Through hands-on learning and expert instruction, participants will explore how disease prevention, secure food systems, and the One Health approach intersect across agriculture and public health. In light of recent highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks that have significantly impacted both the poultry and dairy industries, this training is especially timely. Preparing the next generation of agricultural professionals is critical to strengthening disease response, improving biosecurity practices, and safeguarding the resilience of our food systems.

How much does it cost to attend?

The costs of attending this conference—including registration, housing, and meals—are fully covered through generous support from a grant provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In addition, students who attend the full conference and successfully complete all required activities will receive a $500 stipend in recognition of their participation and engagement. All travel to and from UC Davis must be paid by the attendees. If students choose to park on campus during the event, daily parking passes are available for purchase at a rate of $18/day. If students choose to ride the Unitrans bus to get around during the conference, those rates can be found at this site:  https://unitrans.ucdavis.edu/passes