The first sentence summarizes the purpose and collaborators of the first poster. The second sentence summarizes the purpose and collaborators of the second ad. The third sentence summarizes the purpose and collaborators of the third poster. The Scrapie Eradication Team from Animal Industry Division developed a poster placed statewide, the Agriculture Communicators Team made up an ad for stockman magazines, and an Interagency Feral Swine Working Group which included state agencies and stakeholders developed a third poster.

1. The Scrapie Eradication Team from Animal Industry Division developed this poster, which is
placed statewide in all livestock auction locations.
The Agriculture Communicators Team made up of members of Ag Council
developed this ad for state and national stockman magazines
This poster was developed by an Interagency Feral Swine Working Group
which included state agencies as well as stakeholder groups.
Additional Team Efforts
2012 Campaign to encourage hunters to donate to Michigan Food Banks - a collaboration with
Sportsmen Against Hunger, MDARD, the DEQ and the Department of Natural Resources.
This call center triage list is an example of recognizing future concerns due to a feed shortage and
proactively preparing for the calls to come to several agencies - we all handle different issues, but can
assist citizens with finding the information they need.
Hello, and thank you for your interest in my work experience. I have
exclusively worked for the Animal Industry Division (AID) at the Michigan
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) since 2007.
From 2005 to 2007, I was jointly employed as an interagency liaison for
zoono c diseases (illnesses that pass between humans and animals) by both the
Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) and MDARD. In 2002, I
became the Bovine TB Eradica on Coordinator, an interagency posi on housed
at MDCH, but working with MDARD, MDCH and the Michigan Department of
Natural Resources (DNR). This promo on came a er working as the
Communica ons Coordinator for the Bovine TB Eradica on Project from 2000 to
2002.
Currently in my role as risk communica ons specialist at MDARD, I assist in
educa on and outreach to help AID protect the health
and welfare of domes c animals. By protec ng the health
of livestock, farm animals and companion animals, AID
protects the health of humans.
AID is responsible for
livestock and poultry disease
programs, toxic substance
contamina on related to animal
health, and the surveillance and
eradica on of domes c animal
diseases. In the event of an
animal disease outbreak or
emergency, AID is able to
respond quickly and
appropriately to prevent the
spread of disease or
contamina on.
In this posi on I have the
privilege of working with media,
as well as behind the scenes with
stakeholder groups and other
agencies on projects that impact
all Michigan ci zens. The
ul mate goal is to implement
change without crea ng a crisis
for the impacted.
These illustra ons are a snapshot
of the projects, events, and
outreach materials produced in
coopera on with many people at
any given me.
This booklet assists producers in understanding the testing and
indemnity process for their cattle.
Bridget Kavanagh-Patrick
2672 Dobie Road
Mason, MI 48854
517-927-9368
Risk Communications SpecialistRisk Communications SpecialistRisk Communications Specialist
PortfolioPortfolioPortfolio
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2. Outreach For the Wildlife Risk Mitigation Campaign:
Ca le from the bovine Tuberculosis (TB) disease zones in Michigan must come from a farm with a Wildlife Risk
Mi ga on (WRM) Plan in order to prevent a post‐movement test. The
outreach approach was twofold: first, we announced the good news of
TB free status for 57 coun es, along with movement requirements to
the general public; and then we approached the community of ca le
producers most impacted by this status with clear and concise
informa on and rules via direct mail and informa on handed out at
the sale yards.
This approach was the least surprising and the most effec ve in
bringing about compliance.
The “Hay Feed Cows Not Deer” billboard was posted south of Grayling
for eight weeks.
The 30‐second TV and radio ad aired in late November and December
2011.
Producers received direct mail and phone calls offering technical advice
and assistance with pu ng the WRM tools in place.
The Ask before You Buy! poster was placed in all Michigan saleyards
and feed stores.
For Split State Status and 57 bovine TB Free Counties:
 A news release was issued on September 14, 2011 and picked up interna onally
 Producers received mailings with specific regula ons relevant to their area
 A booklet defining requirements in each area was made available for the media, stakeholders, and
posted on the Emerging Diseases Website
Incentives to Turn in Deer Heads:
When approaching a highly controversial subject, quite o en a story board like the one to the right will assist
decision makers in their approval and approach to an effort. In this case MDARD reviewed the proposal to
offer incen ves for TB posi ve deer by reviewing all of the benefits.
1. A news release was issued on September 24, 2011, outlining the requirements for hunters to receive a
$200 incen ve check. They must turn in a deer head that eventually cultures posi ve for bovine TB.
2. A radio adver sement ran statewide on a.m. sta ons (Citadel Broadcas ng ‐WJR in Detroit, A.M. 1240 in
Lansing, etc.) between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m. encouraging hunters to turn in their heads for TB tes ng; the
last two weeks in September and the first two weeks in November.
3. A full page adver sement was published in the Michigan Out‐of‐Doors November/December issue
4. Every deer check sta on
had posted the incen ves
adver sement.
5. The DNR direct mailed
instruc ons to hunters with
posi ve deer.
6. Dr. James Averill
interviewed with Duran
Mar nez for the Wild
Michigan Outdoor show;
the Michigan Outdoor
News, and Jack Hall –
WTLV in Escanaba.
2 3
This poster is placed in every saleyard and animal auction in Michigan.

3. MDOT Signage at Disease Borders:
Signage requirements include border crossings between the disease zones. An Interagency team met to
plan the logis cs of moving and repos ng the Michigan Department of Transporta on (MDOT) signs when
the new disease border was announced. MDOT and the MDARD Atlanta office played a significant role in
the smooth transi on. The signs are targeted at 1,000 farmers and most Michigan drivers never even no ce
them.
Michigan Fiber Industry Coalition
(MIFIC)
MIFIC is a group of livestock producers who
grow wool and other fiber for clothing.
MIFIC members developed survey ques ons
and distributed them fiber growers
throughout Michigan. The survey was
distributed via
SurveyMonkey™ to the fiber animal
associa ons, through Facebook™ and
LinkedIn™ and via the internet, email, direct
mail and on Twi er™.
Results: The number of respondents in a 4‐
week period was 106 growers; 49 percent of
whom were classified as part‐ me farmers
with less than 50 % of their income being
derived from fiber. Slightly more that 34 %
considered themselves “hobby farmers” with
less than $2,500 dollars each year being
earned from fiber produc on. Interes ngly
9.5 % derived their sole income from fiber
farming. Ninety‐two percent of those
surveyed reinvest their profits back into their
farming opera ons.
In 2012 , the coali on invited the American
Sheep Industry to sponsor a wool handling
school with 25 par cipants learning the
importance and value of proper prepara on
before market. Michigan State University
hosted the school and provided the sheep for
sheering.
In May 2013 the group worked with the MEDC and
the Michigan Garment Industry Council to bring
together Michigan manufacturers, Michigan fashion
designers and Michigan fiber growers and allow
them to meet and greet each other, talk about their
businesses and make personal business
arrangements.
In June 2013, the coali on of farmers held a
statewide fiber trail/open house
and it was so successful, they
plan to do it again on Saturday
December 7th., 2013.
Michigan Shearer Sy Carl took time from his busy
schedule to demonstrate shearing for the class
It was a cold week at the wool handling class in November 2012
ASI Certifier Ron Cole demonstrates the characteristics of fiber
Social Media:
LinkedIn
Facebook: Michigan Fiber Industry Coali on
Facebook: Personal
Sheep Farm Website
Public Service Announcement (project management)
Country of Origin Labeling (project management)
Broadcast Use Footage on Vaccina ng
Adop ng a Pet
4

4. Search “Bridget” in MDARD’s Internet Page: for a lis ng of ac ve news releases.
Check her out on LinkedIn and Facebook, look for her Tweets too!
Resul ng news sample
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News ReleasesNews ReleasesNews Releases