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This blog is for Polk County Florida small farms and pesticide applicators as a method of communication and sharing information. This blog is administered by the University of Florida IFAS Extension Polk County Extension Agent, Mary Beth Henry.
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On June 5, 2013 the Florida Association for Food Protection (FAFP) is offering an Agroterrorism Preparedness Workshop, open to both FAFP members and non-members. This six hour workshop will include delivery of a 3.5 hour, Department of Homeland Security-certified agroterrorism preparedness course, and will include a workshop designed to allow participants to explore and apply some of the concepts and tools being offered by the Nation’s federal food safety agencies.
The course and workshop are being offered free of charge, with funding provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium. Registration includes a $20 fee for lunch, which will be provided.
Registration information can be found at the following link: http://www.fafp.net/aec/aec-workshop/
If you have questions regarding this workshop, or about registration, please contact Art Johnstone at ajohnstone@grantpartnersinc.org or (850) 251-4184.
Workshop Details:
Agroterrorism Preparedness Course: AWR 151 Understanding the Dangers of Agroterrorism, developed by the Western Institute for Food Safety and Security, University of California Davis. The course goal is to increase awareness among local and regional emergency response teams about the potential targets and impacts of agroterrorism. By creating a new alliance among traditional first responders and the agricultural industry, communities can begin to develop plans to mitigate acts of agroterrorism. The course raises awareness about the need to identify and defend against pathogens, chemical and biological contaminants, and other hazards that affect the safety of the foods we eat. The course stresses the importance of responding to incidents of intentional contamination as well as natural disasters using the “all hazards” approach.
Participatory workshop will include:
Overview of federal guidance documents for protecting our food supply from terrorism
Inventory of free online tools available for food facility and food systems protection
Overview of the security of food being imported and transported
Discussion Session: What are we doing well? What is still being left undone?
The workshop is designed to provide new information and offer value to food agencies and businesses, whether or not participants have completed food and agriculture preparedness courses in the past.
Workshop Speakers
Art Johnstone
Dr. Jennifer Chatfield
Schedule
Wednedsay, June 5
8:30am Sign-In
9:00am Session Begins
12:00pm Lunch
1:00pm Session Resumes
Particpatory Workshop: Federal Food Agency Concepts and Tools
4:00pm Workshop Adjourns
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Art Johnstone, President
Grant Partners Inc.
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Week of May 24, 2013
You may not realize just how convenient it is to watch videos about Polk County meetings, programs and services right at your computer and now on any mobile device or tablet. Here are video links to recent and upcoming meetings, shows and features. Just click and watch!
MEETINGS
Board of Adjustment – May 23
Polk Transit Board of Directors – May 22
Board of County Commissioners Public Hearings – May 21
Board of County Commissioners Regular Session – May 21
Citizens’ Healthcare Oversight Committee – May 17
Code Enforcement Special Magistrate – May 16
Polk TPO Advisery Network – May 14
FEATURES
Dateline Polk #170: BoCC & Roads Update (Wade Allen, Dr. Ulyee Choe, Lee Killinger and Jim Brainerd) – May 21, 2013
¿Que Pasa Polk? #015 (Amanda Lee, Deborah Gonzalez and Ismary Figueroa, Benny Villareal, Boris Rodriguez, Ana Sancruzado) – May 23, 2013
Miss Polk Latina Pageant – May 18, 2013
Sports Central #199 – May 17, 2013
Transportation School (Class #5) – May 16, 2013
Circle B Bar Reserve Tourism Feature (Gaye Sharpe, Linda Funkhouser, Tim Parnell, and Parker, Maddie & Sarah Fishel)
Athlete Spotlight: Amber Presto, McKeel Academy of Technology
PCTSM Mustangs & Mustangs (Kermit Weeks, Kurt & Amy Pendergrass, Susan Forman) – April 13, 2013
PCTSM Rowdy Cup Swimming (Eddy Twyford, David Nugent, Mike Blum) – April 19, 2013
Polk Place: National Foster Care Month (Teri Saunders, Susan Ripley, and Cebian Alty)
Polk Place: Polk County Small Business Assistance Center (Dawn Decaminada)
UPCOMING EVENTS
Polk Place: FPRA Carillon Classic 5K Run (Marybeth Soderstrom, John Kazaklis, Amy S. Wiggins) – May 25, 2013
Polk Place: FPRA Fill-A-Bag for Homeless Students (Cassie Jacoby, Dee Dee Wright, Paula Alford) – Until May 28, 2013
Polk Place: Hurricane Expo 2013 (Rosa Driggs, Pete McNally) – June 1, 2013
UPCOMING LIVE TV PROGRAMS
Watch on TV Bright House 622, Comcast 5, Verizon 20 or online at PGTV LIVE.
Friday, May 31, at 12:00 p.m. – Sports Central #200
Each week, we’ll be sending you a list of current video links. But for a complete listing of archive board meetings and other feature videos, go to Polk-County.net/pgtv. For DVD copies, please email katewest@polk-county.net or call the Communications office, (863) 534-5997.
Please Note: Florida has a very broad Public Records Law. Most written communications to or from State and Local Officials regarding State or Local business are public records available to the public and media upon request. Your email communications may therefore be subject to public disclosure.
To Interested Stakeholders:
TMDL Water Quality Restoration Grant Opportunity – Application Deadline is July 1st
Three times a year, funding is awarded for the implementation of best management practices designed to reduce pollutant loads to impaired waters from urban stormwater discharges. This funding is administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as the TMDL Water Quality Restoration Grant, which is set out by rule in Chapter 62-305, F.A.C. and authorized by Section 403.890(2), F.S.
What type of project is eligible for this grant?
What criteria are used for project ranking and selection?
If you would like to submit an application, the deadline for this project selection period is July 1, 2013. Any questions regarding the grant should be directed to Connie Becker at Connie.L.Becker@dep.state.fl.us or at 850-245-8418. Please visit our website for more information: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/watersheds/tmdl_grant.htm .
Terry J. Hansen, P.G.
Environmental Consultant
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
(850) 245-8561 or SunCom 205-8561
(850) 245-8434 or SunCom 205-8434 FAX
Please take a few minutes to share your comments on the service you received from the department by clicking on this link DEP Customer Survey.
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