Penn State University (PSU) scientists have received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA’s NIFA) to assess the level of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among foodborne bacteria in Puerto Rico's dairy industry and to train farmers and students on AMR mitigation. The four-year grant will enable the PSU-led team to quantify the prevalence of drug-resistant Escherichia coliandStaphylococcus aureus on 20 farms across Puerto Rico.
The project will be the first to systematically analyze the extent of AMR in microorganisms in Puerto Rico’s dairy sector. The researchers will also collect data on milk quality and hygiene level to develop extension seminars on the risk of AMR, as well as affordable, accessible solutions that dairy farmers in Puerto Rico can implement to enhance milk quality and safety.