By Sara Tomis
Animal exhibitions and events, including agricultural fairs, create value for livestock owners and the public alike. The comingling of large numbers of people and animals during events, however, can increase the risk of zoonotic disease challenges. A zoonotic disease is caused by a germ that can be transmitted between people and animals. Risk can be reduced through quality biosecurity practices that minimize the spread of disease. The UConn Extension BE SAFE: Biosecurity Education to Safeguard Animals and Events program was implemented in summer 2025 with support from Northeast AgEnhancement to enhance to (a) improve biosecurity awareness and practice amongst fair exhibitors, decision-makers, volunteers, and visitors; (b) develop resources to support the implementation of biosecurity measures in fairs and events involving animals in public settings; and (c) support capacity-building and resilience within the agricultural community pertaining to zoonotic disease events through preventive action and education.
The primary deliverables for this project included digital and printed resources (fact sheets and signage), educational displays, biosecurity kits, and educational workshops. Thirteen publications, available online through the UConn Extension Publications System, were developed and reviewed by veterinary professionals. One peer-reviewed fact sheet, Healthy interactions with animals at fairs and other animal events, was published for a fair visitor audience. Ten peer-reviewed fact sheets and corresponding checklists were developed to guide animal exhibition personnel in conducting quality health checks. Resources focused on the following species: beef cattle, camelids, dairy cattle, dogs, equine, goats, poultry, rabbits and other small mammals, sheep, and swine. Two peer-reviewed fact sheets were developed for animal exhibitors: Biosecurity best management practices for animal exhibitors and Clean, sanitize, and disinfect: safe and effective practices for animal exhibitions.
Signage, accessible through the UConn Extension BE SAFE program website, was designed to inform visitors and exhibitors of best practices for human and animal health. Signage topics included restricted area warnings for wash racks, manure disposal areas, and animal quarantine areas; hand washing reminders for barns and eating areas; and messaging about hoses designated for animal use only. An educational display was designed to equip event visitors with the knowledge needed to stay healthy when interacting with animals at fairs and exhibitions. Three water- and wind-resistant banners were printed and displayed at UConn 4-H fairs, Connecticut fairs including Four Town Fair & Wapping Fair, 4-H Education Center at Auerfarm and at the Eastern States Exposition. The educational banner design was also converted into a printable rack card that can be distributed at events and made available within UConn Extension offices.
Three biosecurity boxes were assembled with essential materials for animal exhibitions and events, including PPE (i.e., gloves, gowns, boot covers), cleaning equipment and supplies (i.e., spray bottle, pails, disinfecting wipes, sanitizer), flashlight, waste management (i.e., sharps disposal container, garbage bags) and recordkeeping supplies (i.e., notebook, whiteboard). A biosecurity resource binder composed of educational material supporting best practices for preparedness and response for animal event organizers was also developed and included. Copies of the BE SAFE species-specific animal health checklists were printed and laminated for accompaniment by clipboards and erasable markers to be used by animal health check personnel. Biosecurity boxes were made available to UConn 4-H county educators for 4-H fairs in summer 2025. In the future, the project team intends to make BE SAFE biosecurity boxes available for purchase by other regional animal event entities.
Educational workshops are a valuable approach to advancing knowledge and behavior outcomes. During the grant period, five workshops were facilitated for diverse audiences, including youth, 4-H professionals, and 4-H volunteers serving in animal event contexts. One workshop engaging 35 youth and adults resulted in increased knowledge for over 95% of participants related to biosecurity importance; recommendations before, during, and after fairs; conducting animal health checks; and how 4-H fair associations can promote biosecurity (96%). Furthermore, 91% of participants indicated they planned to use at least one biosecurity best practice that they learned because of the workshop. Tabling events were also operationalized to reach fair visitors with biosecurity education. Travel-size hand sanitizers were purchased to encourage visitors to practice proper hand hygiene when interacting with animals at agricultural events.
The project team is appreciative of the support of Farm Credit Northeast AgEnhancement in reaching program objectives. Future directions include adding to the biosecurity resource repository, such as professional development materials to continue biosecurity enhancement within fairs and animal events; delivering biosecurity education workshops in advance of the 2026 fair season; and enhancing the regional availability of BE SAFE resources for animal event participants and personnel.