Modeling and training to enhance resilience of the US food system to COVID-19 labor shortages

The goal of this project is to identify optimal COVID-19 mitigation strategies and develop educational and training platforms for rapid implementation of those strategies. Specific objectives are to:Objective 1 RESEARCH: Use predictive mathematical modeling of COVID-19 spread, economic analysis and optimization to identify optimal mitigation strategies for labor intensive food processing facilities (produce, dairy, beef/pork and poultry) and produce farms;Objective 2 RESEARCH: Scale and implement the facility-specific models for produce, dairy, beef/pork and poultry food establishments, that allow for in-silico assessment of possible mitigation strategies in those specific facilities; and Objective 3 EXTENSION: Develop and deliver a comprehensive online interactive extension program on COVID-19 control strategies that includes open industry office hours.