Kentucky Offers Agroterrorism Awareness Courses

LEXINGTON - Jul 14/05 - SNS -- Computer-based courses on agroterrorism have been developed by the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center (KIPRC), part of the University of Kentucky College of Public Health.

Developed in collaboration with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) and the UK College of Agriculture, the two courses are scheduled for release in August 2005.

According to Mark Schneider, KIPRC Director of Technology and program manager for Terrorism Response and Preparedness (TRAP), "Agroterrorism has already occurred in the U.S. and, since 9/11, seems more likely to occur again."

The project follows a series of successful online terrorism preparedness courses produced by KIPRC. Schneider developed the original online terrorism courses for Kentucky first responders. After they were available on the Internet, users from across the country and overseas began logging on. The opportunity to collaborate with experts in the Department of Agriculture and Cooperative Extension Service was a natural extension of the TRAP initiative.

The shared goals for the new program are increasing awareness, and thereby increasing the pool of "first detectors," in two demographics - young people in 4-H and FFA, and county extension personnel. It became apparent that the courses could also serve other audiences, Schneider said.

The agroterrorism courses are available on CD-ROM to provide extra bandwidth for interactive features. Students will learn from videos, animation, and interactive exercises. Quizzes and course examinations test students' comprehension of the topics. Certification allows graduates to demonstrate their achievement to teachers and employers.

Both courses - General Awareness and Extension Awareness - include five modules: Introduction to Agroterrorism; Natural and Intentional Events; Crops; Livestock; and Prevention and Preparedness. They will be available, free of charge, on one CD-ROM.

To inquire about the courses or order a free CD-ROM visit the TRAP web site at www.kiprc.uky.edu/trap/agro