Texas A&M AgriLife Research is proud to partner with the United States Department of Agriculture Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) to develop and deliver the USDA Aquatic Health Training Program—a comprehensive, self-paced, online training initiative designed to support aquaculture producers across the United States.
Why Aquatic Health Matters
Aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing sectors in agriculture, and maintaining the health of aquatic animals is critical to ensuring sustainable production, food safety, and economic viability. The USDA Aquatic Health Training Program addresses this need by equipping producers with the knowledge and tools to manage aquatic animal health effectively.
What the Program Offers
This certificate-based training program is hosted on the Center for Educational Technologies’ Moodle learning management system and is accessible to both USDA employees, state animal health officials, and other participants. The program includes:
Five self-paced modules, each under 60 minutes, covering essential topics such as:
- Aquatic Livestock Farm Assessment & Aquaculture Health Plan
- Preventative Health Strategies for Aquatic Livestock Farms
- Designing an Annual Sampling Plan for an Aquatic Livestock Farm with an AHP Surveillance Plan As a Guide
- Implementing an AHP Biosecurity Blueprint for an Aquatic Livestock Farm or Facility
- Protecting the Investment – Evaluating Risk Mitigations & Biosecurity Measures on the Farm
Interactive learning materials include instructional guides, PowerPoint presentations, case studies, and educational videos. Knowledge checks and assessments to reinforce learning and provide feedback. Certificate of completion for participants who successfully complete the program.
Behind the Scenes
The program is a collaborative effort between Texas A&M AgriLife and USDA-APHIS selected subject matter experts. Dr. Nicola Ritter, Principal Investigator, partnered with one of Texas A&M University’s Core Facilities, the Center for Educational Technologies, to create the training program. The CET provides instructional design, graphic design, quality assurance, and project management services. Together, they ensure the content is engaging, accessible (WCAG 2.2 compliant), and technically sound. “I always scope the CET in my grant proposals to complete the training and outreach components. This allows me to focus on the research, while they [the CET] work on training and outreach,” says Dr. Ritter.
Looking Ahead
The training program is currently in development, with modules such as “Aquatic Livestock Farm Assessment & Aquaculture Health Plan” already authored and under review. The project is scheduled to be completed by December 2025, with promotional efforts—including blog posts, social media campaigns, and email outreach—planned for the final quarter of the year.
Stay Connected
As we move closer to the program’s launch, we invite aquaculture producers, veterinarians, and animal health professionals to stay tuned for updates. The USDA Aquatic Health Training Program will be available at usdatraining.com, providing free, 24/7 access to high-quality training that supports the health and sustainability of the aquaculture industry.