The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Laboratory has a dedicated and trained sampler and back-up sampler for the collection of FDA FERN samples, MDARD Food Assurance samples (fresh produce) and additional pet foods, all for pathogen testing by the microbiology section. Both samplers have been trained in sampling by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Pesticide Data Program (PDP) which has been in existence and sampling all types of food products including fresh produce and manufactured foods. For the purposes of sample collection and testing for various parts of this grant opportunity, it is expected that 450 FERN samples, 600 Food Assurance fresh produce samples and 250 pet food samples will be collected each year. Our microbiology sampler has 5 years of experience in sample for the USDA Pesticide Data Program and 2 years of experience sampling fresh produce for the MDARD Food Assurance Program. This opportunity will allow the laboratory to enhance its sampling process.