Conference Host:
Western Institute for Food Safety and Security at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
*There is a field trip on Wednesday, August 12 – touring the Hilmar Cheese factory to learn about biosecurity at the food processing level
To ensure a high-quality and collaborative experience, students selected for the conference should meet the following criteria:
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.
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.
The costs of attending this conference—including registration 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. However, an additional $300 will be provided for each student to help off-set the cost of traveling to the conference each day. This is intended to help with the cost of a hotel room, if needed, or the expense of commuting to campus during the conference. Stipends and travel cost money will be distributed after the conference is complete. Students must arrange their own hotel rooms if they choose to stay in Davis.
