LIVESTOCK, SEAFOOD, POULTRY, AND PUBLIC HEALTH: A MULTI-FACETED FIELD EXPERIENCE AT THE KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND THE INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY OF VETERINARY STUDENTS (iMOVES) PROGRAM IN ITALY

Abstract

This report summarizes experiential learning gained during a two-part field experience conducted at the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) and at the University of Padova (UniPD) in northern Italy. The field experience activities occurred during the summer and fall semesters of 2018. The program with the KDA took place May 21 through September 13, 2018, while the UniPD-based activities occurred during a two-week period during the middle of the summer (June 16-29, 2018). While working at the KDA, the author was supervised by Dr. Tarrie Crnic, DVM, MPH. Thanks to the preceptorship of Dr. Crnic, the author was able to understand the structure of a local (state government) agriculture organization, engage in veterinary public health and food safety activities, hear about ideas for supporting agricultural and food businesses in Kansas, and participate in a state agricultural conference touching on issues of public health importance. At the UniPD, the author participated in a multi-faceted “International MObility of VEterinary Students,” or iMOVES, field trip program that addressed the concepts of Food Safety, Public Health, and Animal Welfare to a group of veterinary medicine and public health students. Thanks to the iMOVES and UniPD programs, the author was able to broaden her experience in European livestock production, understand the international perspectives of food safety and animal welfare, and visit a commercial broiler farm, an international seafood importation and processing company, and a high technology cattle slaughterhouse.