The Cochran Fellowship Program for the Caribbean Basin

Program Description

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is pleased to offer the Cochran Fellowship training program to qualified persons in the food and agricultural industry, and from the public and private sectors in the Caribbean.  Each program is specifically designed to meet the needs of the participants.  Participants meet with professional in the fields, participate in field observations and industry tours, experience on-the-job training, or attend the university courses or seminars.  The objectives of the Cochran Program are to increase your country's capacity to meet its food needs, and to strengthen and enhance commercial and agriculture trade linkages between your country and the United States.  The Cochran Program covers  the costs incurred in the United States for the training activities.  The selected participant or his/her company/agency is responsible for the transportation cost from their country to the training location in the United States and the return.

Qualifying Countries of the Caribbean Basin

Antigua & Barbuda

Barbados

Dominica

Grenada

St. Kitts & Nevis

St. Lucia

St. Vincent & Grenadines

Trinidad & Tobago

Training Programs for 2013

Throughout the year, CBATO consults with government agencies as well as with private companies in the food and agricultural industry in the Caribbean to determine areas of interest.  In 2013 we are recruiting applicants for training in the categories listed below. Please note that the training programs will be designed to meet the specific learning goals of the individual participants.  If your learning goals are not covered in the categories below, we encourage you to submit an application anyway and will we will make every effort to consider your training needs during the current year or for future year programs.

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 13, 2013

It is important to note that submitting an application does not necessarily guarantee that the applicant will be selected to participate in any training.   Each applicant will be rated on the strength of their application.  A representative of the U.S. Department of Agriculture will interview highly rated applicants whose proposed programs align closely with Cochran objectives by phone. 

Applicants will need to submit their original application along with two passport pictures and two letters of reference.  Applicants need to have a copy of their application and supporting documentation available during their interview.  Interviews are normally held in February and March of each year, however, in some cases interviews are held at other times of the year as well.  Applicants will be notified by our office of the date and time of their interview.  Normally, no more than one applicant per company/organization is selected for training. 

USDA will make every effort to place selected applicants in one of the training courses being offered through the program. 

Please contact our office should you have any questions.  We look forward to receiving your application!

Previous Training Courses for the Caribbean Basin through the Cochran Fellowship Program

Agricultural Statistics Training III – National Agricultural Statistics

The purpose of the study program to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is to learn about organization, methodology and management of programs for preparing official agricultural statistics with a special emphasis on crop production forecasting and estimation.

Agribusiness Development & Extension Training Program

A customized short-term training program on Food and Agricultural Marketing. The program provides an excellent understanding of the food marketing system in the U.S.  It also provides perspective of the system that exporters in their respective countries are attempting to penetrate.

FSIS Meat and Poultry Inspection Seminars

A) Meat and Poultry Inspection Seminar I for International Government Officials

held in cooperation with the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez.  This 3-week seminar includes an overview of FSIS, including introduction to Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), pathogen reduction, import and export policies and procedures, equivalence, animal production, and field visits to import and export locations and processing and slaughter plants.  This seminar is conducted entirely in Spanish. 

B) Meat and Poultry Inspection Seminar II for International Government Officials held at the USDA Rural Development Headquarters Conference & Training Center, located in Washington, DC.  This 3-week seminar also provides an overview of FSIS, including introduction to Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), pathogen reduction, import and export policies and procedures, equivalence, animal production, and field visits to import and export locations and processing and slaughter plants.  The program is conducted in English.

C) Meat and Poultry Inspection Seminar III for Senior International Government Officials held at the FSIS Technical Service Center located in Omaha, Nebraska.  The seminar will be a 2-week in-depth seminar for senior officials focusing on verification and enforcement of HACCP and pathogen reduction regulations.  This is a highly developed seminar intended for officials who have a working knowledge of HACCP principles and their application in a meat or poultry processing plant.  The program is conducted in Engilsh.

D) International Residue Training Seminar for International Government Officials which is a two week seminar.  FSIS Field Services Laboratories coordinate and conduct laboratory analytical services in support of the Agency's farm-to-table strategies in the disciplines of chemistry, microbiology, and pathology for food safety in meat, poultry, and egg products.

International Course on Transboundary Animal Diseases (ICTAD), formerly known as the International Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic (IFADD) course

The purpose of this course is to orient veterinarians who work as laboratory diagnosticians and veterinary pathologists in the diagnosis of foreign animal diseases of livestock and poultry.

Domestic Veterinary Epidemiology

Agricultural Quarantine and Inspection

This program is designed specifically for plant and animal health quarantine officials and includes visits to USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) facilities at a port of entry.

Pesticide Residue Analysis

Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Production and Handling

Participant attended training activities on the proper handling techniques and marketing strategies for U.S. fresh fruits and vegetables.  The training, in conjunction with the University of California Davis (UC Davis), included meetings in Washington, D.C. with the Animal and Plant Health Inspections Service (APHIS) of USDA; attendance to the Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit in Houston, TX; and, meetings with the trade in Vero Beach , FL.

HACCP (Hazardous Analysis and Critical Control Points) Systems  

This course provides expertise in the distribution, handling, and storage of meat and poultry products, and includes a tour of manufacturing and distribution facilities which have effectively implemented the HACCP system.  This course was designed for importers and distributors as well as food inspectors and policy makers who were interested in the implications of HACCP.

Handling and Marketing Systems for Meat and Dairy

The program provided the participants with an understanding of handling and marketing systems for meat, dairy, and fresh fruit. During the first portion of the training, the participant traveled with a U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) buyer education team and attend the USMEF foreign buyer conference.

During this period topics focused on pork and beef products grading; beef application in food service; computer software for underutilized cuts; and portion control. The participants also visited a number of processors and packers. Participants attended a short course presented by Texas A & M University entitled Beef 101. The course provided a more in-depth look at beef handling, inspection, and usage. Topics included: beef cattle evaluation; beef carcass grading; inspection and food safety; factors affecting leanness; meat cutting rules and methods; wholesale and retail cut fabrication; and factors affecting beef palatability.

The second portion of the program was spent looking at dairy products handling and marketing. The program, designed by the Wisconsin State Department of Agriculture, allowed the participant to gain an understanding of dairy quality, processing, storage, and transportation.

Past Programs (worldwide)

Agricultural Biotechnology

Chemical and Microbiological Residue Analysis

HACCP Practices and Policies

Dehydrated Potato Marketing and Handling

Food Retail I and II

Culinary Arts

Biosafety

HACCP Plan Validation and Verification

Thermal Processing

Food Retailing

Domestic Veterinary Epidemiology

Pesticide Residue Analysis

School Feeding

Grain Purchasing

Biotechnology

Grain Procurement Management

Grain Handling and Port Operations

Agricultural Marketing News

Agricultural Credit Financing

Pest Risk Assessment I, II, III, and IV

Bakery Ingredients Technology