SEPTEMBER 2022 According to the most recent 2017 census, the average age of farmers is estimated to be 57.5 years old – continuing a long-term trend

SEPTEMBER 2022 Agriculture is known to be hazardous. With higher death, injury, and illness rates than many other occupations, it can often feel like threats

SEPTEMBER 2022 The 2022 Farm Progress Show (August 31 to September 1, 2022) was back in action in Boone, Iowa for the first time following a four-year

SEPTEMBER 2022 Farming is one of the most dangerous and physically challenging occupations. It is also mentally and emotionally challenging. Economic,

SEPTEMBER 2022 Harvest is here, and it can be one of the busiest and most dangerous seasons of the year. In an effort to keep ag communities safe, healthy,

AUGUST 2022 If you are a livestock farmer, you know that vaccinations are commonly used to treat or prevent disease for overall animal health. However,

AUGUST 2022 The UMASH Wellness Pavilion The UMASH Wellness Pavilion served as a one-stop shop for attendees to get up-to-date farm safety and health information

AUGUST 2022 Innovative research is one of the main pillars of UMASH, along with outreach and communication – all in an effort to improve the lives

AUGUST 2022 There seems to be a top ten list for almost everything today. Top ten travel sites, top ten ice creams, top ten places to retire, just to name

JULY 2022 Keeping with her commitment to social determinants and prevention of disease, this study’s long-term goal was to advance the knowledge of the

JULY 2022 With the summer in full force, so is the haying season. With large equipment, extreme heat, heavy lifting, and the stress of working in a narrow

JULY 2022 In June, UMASH Outreach Director and Center Coordinator, Megan Schossow, attended the International Society for Agricultural Safety and Health

JULY 2022 Farm Tech Days UMASH was part of the Farm Technology Days near Loyal, Wisconsin, on July 12, 2022.  Carol Peterson worked with our partners

JULY 2022 For the last three National FFA conventions, UMASH and their partners from the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health

JULY 2022 Be Safe – Be Well – Take Care are a few phrases we may wish upon our family and friends. Staying safe and healthy on the farm is

JULY 2022 Summer has arrived in the Upper Midwest! Along with the heat comes several safety concerns. Cutting and storing silage is one of many tasks during

JULY 2022 30 years and still going strong…AgrAbility has reached a milestone in serving farmers by cultivating independence for people with disabilities

JUNE 2022 Manure from animal agriculture offers beneficial nutrients for crops and plants; however, the Upper Midwest has seen several severe injuries

JUNE 2022 The annual National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Symposium was held May 5, 2022 and co-sponsored by two School of Public Health centers

JUNE 2022 In addition to the safety demonstrations, UMASH will again have the Wellness Pavilion where a number of exhibitors are there to answer questions

JUNE 2022 Juneteenth is a commemoration of June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in the farthest part of the Confederacy were freed, over two years after

JUNE 2022 We are excited to share that Justine Bauer, an Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program student at the University of Minnesota, is collaborating

Eye injuries can translate into pain, related eye diseases, and loss of time, money, and possibly your eyesight.  Wear proper eye protection where eye

MAY 2022 Congratulations to Dr. Monste Torremorell, Interim Department Chair, Professor, Department of Veterinary Population Medicine (VPM), who has received

MARCH 2022 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), also known as “bird flu,” is a serious, highly contagious disease that is often fatal to chickens

MAY 2022 All students created fantastic videos, and UMASH thanks the students and Dr. McKay for allowing UMASH to be part of their class to bring attention

MAY 2022 UMASH is fortunate to work closely with the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety (NCCRAHS) to improve the

MAY 2022 Agriculture moves with the seasons, and each season brings both predictable and unexpected events. At UMASH, we’ve been working to support resilience

MAY 2022 UMASH partnered with the Extension Pesticide Safety Education (PSEE) Program to offer resources at two events in greater Minnesota.  Commercial

MAY 2022 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), also known as “bird flu,” is a serious, highly contagious disease that is often fatal to chickens

MAY 2022 MORE RESOURCES

APRIL 2022 Agriculture moves with the seasons, and each season brings both predictable and unexpected events. At UMASH, we’ve been working to support

APRIL 2022 When stepping into spring, it can be easy to be swept up by the rush of planting season. Without proper safety measures, spring tasks like moving

APRIL 2022 The 2022 Women’s Agricultural Leadership Conference (WALC) was held on April 13, 2022, at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

APRIL 2022 YouTube is one of the social media platforms where you can find a video on just about anything – how to fix a faucet, recipes for the

APRIL 2022 The Rural Firefighters Delivering Agriculture Safety and Health (RF-DASH) team was invited by the Canadian Agriculture Safety Association (CASA)

MARCH 2022   FEATURED RESOURCES

APRIL 2022 The North American Farm and Power Show was held March 17, 18, and 19, 2022 at the Steele County Fairgrounds in Owatonna, MN. Carol Peterson

MARCH 2022 Dana Adams, University of Minnesota Extension livestock educator, is a dedicated and knowledgeable partner to central Minnesota farmers. She’s

MARCH 2022 It’s here… farm show season has begun.  UMASH was part of the Farm City Hub Club farm show in New Ulm, MN. With the show’s focus on farm

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), also known as “bird flu,” is a serious, highly contagious disease that is often fatal to chickens and turkeys.

MARCH 2022 In the world of LOL, ICYMI, IDK, acronyms, and social media slang, it can be hard to know “what means what,” especially if you are new to

MARCH 2022 UMASH was present at the Carver County Dairy Expo in Norwood Young America with Chela Vázquez attending a table with materials on health and

MARCH 2022 Continuing to farm productively as you age, while staying safe and healthy, is a value and goal for farmers and the farming community. Working

MARCH 2022 Agricultural Literacy Week Celebrate Agricultural Literacy Week (March 21-25) by sharing agricultural safety stories with a media toolkit provided

MARCH 2022 What are repetitive motion injuries? In a recent Successful Farming article, Lisa Foust Prater discusses repetitive motion injuries on the farm

FEBRUARY 2022 Thom Petersen Thom Petersen, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), will be recognized with the ASHCA 2022 Policymaker/Legislator

FEBRUARY 2022 Dr. Peter Davies UMASH agrees wholeheartedly with the Distinguished Service Award for Dr. Davies’ lifetime work. Congratulations are

Winter and spring can be tough seasons for towing, with conditions including snow, ice and mud. Towing can be dangerous in a number of ways, some of which

We are pleased to welcome Devon Charlier as our Evaluations and Communications Manager.

FEBRUARY 2022 Upper Midwest winters are known for biting cold, chilling winds, ice, snow, and sleet. For those in agriculture, especially those working

JANUARY 2022            

JANUARY 2022 One of the first UMASH research projects was the Multidisciplinary Network to Address Agriculture Worker Health and Safety Issues. This project

JANUARY 2022 Almost everyone likes a good deal, or an extra perk. The Upper Midwest is home to a number of animal agriculture producers, one of which is

DECEMBER 2021 FFA’ers across Minnesota came together online for their Career Development Event (CDE) on December 13, 2021.  Megan Schossow and Carol

DECEMBER 2021 The UMASH  2021 Annual Report is online and ready to read. The annual report is an opportunity for UMASH to share with the public an overview

Agriculture safety and health professionals took to Zoom to share the latest engagement strategies, new research, and build networks at the 2021 Midwest

NOVEMBER 2021 Ivermectin is primarily a deworming medicine for animals. It has limited use for humans, against a number of health concerns like worms,

September 2021 National Farm Safety and Health Week 2021 took place September 19-25, with the theme Farm Safety Yields Real Results. UMASH created and

Harvest is a busy time for many farms. As cooler temperatures replace summer heat, crops begin to dry down rapidly, increasing risk for dangerous fires

NOVEMBER 2021   UMASH is celebrating a milestone this year by turning ten. As we have “unfolded” over the years we have developed relationships

NOVEMBER 2021 They are everywhere – bacteria, viruses, fungus, or anything known as germs.  Some are more problematic than others including zoonotic

NOVEMBER 2021 National Farm Safety and Health Week 2021 took place September 19-25, with the theme Farm Safety Yields Real Results. UMASH created and coordinated

NOVEMBER 2021 Keeping your farm safe is an invaluable investment in protecting the health and safety of farm workers and farm families, but it can also

NOVEMBER 2021 Livestock producers are familiar with vaccinating animals as part of an overall herd plan. Vaccinations are used to treat disease and are

First aid kits should be a staple on farms, and readily available. Farming is a dangerous occupation. Having a well stocked first aid kit can help you

NOVEMBER 2021 Build a Basic First Aid Kit Prepared by Charles Schwab, extension safety specialist with Iowa State University, and Carolyn Sheridan, registered

SEPTEMBER 2021 Feel that? Fall is in the air and with that comes back to school, harvest and cool nights. It also is time for fall field days.  UMASH

SEPTEMBER 2021 It’s more important than ever to get the flu shot this year. Here are 6 reasons why: Common misconception: “The flu shot gives you

SEPTEMBER 2021 Our colleagues at the Migrant Clinicians Network were recently published in the American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) for their commentary

SEPTEMBER 2021 Researchers in occupational health have published a paper on the association between drought conditions and stress among U.S. farmers. 

August 2021 Dr. Jeff Bender was a featured virtual presenter at the Wisconsin Farmworkers Coalition meeting, organized by Legal Action Wisconsin.  Jeff

AUGUST 2021 With MN Farmfest 2021 back in person, the UMASH team set out on the road to Redwood County to provide up-to-date safety and health information

August 2021 The Dairy Girl Network connects all women of the dairy industry, encouraging ideas and camaraderie in an effort to achieve personal and professional

AUGUST 2021 As August winds down, harvest is top of mind for farmers in the Upper Midwest.  All farms – big, small, organic, hobby, produce –

July 2021 On July 14, 2021, The Minnesota Agriculture Cooperative Safety Directors (ACSD) met for their quarterly meeting in Spicer, Minnesota. This group

July 2021 Farm shows are starting to make their comeback into our agricultural communities, and Farm Technology Days was hosted in-person in Eau Claire,

JUNE 2021 The annual meeting of the International Society of Agricultural Safety and Health was held the week of June 21, 2021, via Zoom.  This international

JUNE 2021 Juneteenth marks the day of June 19 of 1865, where Union Soldiers arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, emancipating enslaved people in the last Confederate

SEPTEMBER 2021 Dairy Farm Inspections Lead to Release of OSHA’s “Dairy Dozen” Working in close contact with large animals can be dangerous and challenging.

JULY 2021 UMASH at Minnesota Farmfest 2021 Come for the mini donuts and stay for the safety demonstrations UMASH is back at Minnesota Farmfest in 2021

JUNE 2021 OSHA defines a confined space as having “limited or restricted means for entry or exit and is not designed for continuous occupancy.” Confined

JUNE 2021                                          As the summer unfolds, many farmers may be concerned about drought conditions especially

JUNE 2021 UMASH is recognizing a colleague who was instrumental in the immigrant dairy worker project since 2011. Patricia Juárez-Carrillo, PhD, MPH,

MAY 2021 UMASH is an interdisciplinary organization spanning five states and at least five industries (i.e., agriculture, public health, veterinary medicine,

MAY 2021 Grain bins have long been the topic of agricultural safety and health. Unfortunately, many tragedies have occurred when working around bins, most

MAY 2021 Maria Bertrand, UMASH Research Assistant, recently attended the Minnesota Public Health Association (MPHA) 2021 Conference: Bold and Humble –

MAY 2021 Powerful messages come through a variety of means and they can change the way we think and act. The art and science of communication can be an

April 2021  The National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Symposium was held virtually via Zoom on April 22, 2021 focusing on the topic of COVID-19

APRIL 2021 Now, more than ever, worker health in the United States is a priority to each and every one of us. During this time of great challenges and

APRIL 2021 Parkinson’s disease impacts over one million people living in the United States, and rural or agricultural communities may encounter challenges

APRIL 2021 Dairy workers in the country face considerable occupational risks and hazards in their daily operations. As essential workers, the risk of contracting

APRIL 2021 Essential: [noun] Something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable Since COVID-19 arrived a year ago, the word essential has become a common

APRIL 2021 Spring is a welcomed time of year, a reminder of renewed hope. For agricultural communities, however, spring also means a busy season and new

APRIL 2021 Women in agriculture are encouraged to take the Weathering Stress in Agriculture 2021 Questionnaire, an anonymous online survey created by UMASH,

MARCH 2021 Getting something for free is always a nice surprise. Keeping up on ag health and safety and CEUs is once again accessible and free this year.

MARCH 2021 The Virtual Migrant and Community Health Conference: Recognizing Our Essential Workers was held the week of March 22 – 26, 2021. The Promoting

There are tasks that should never be done alone on the farm, such as working in a confined space. In fact, it’s usually best to work in pairs or groups.

MARCH 2021 Ag professionals and researchers from across the country came together March 22-24 for the Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America’s

MARCH 2021 Addisalem Hunde Bedada DVM, MS Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine Resident After the long, dark, winter months, spring is literally

MARCH 2021 Have you ever tried putting toothpaste back in the tube? It doesn’t work well. The same goes for farm safety. It’s better to prevent an

MARCH 2021 For those of us in the Upper Midwest, spring is a welcomed time of year. The days are longer, warmer and we can slowly shed the sweaters and

UPDATED MARCH 2021 In January 2018, the Minnesota Department of Health launched Safer Farm Animal Contact Exhibits (Safer FACEs), a training program for

MARCH 2021 His background in veterinary medicine, public health, and research has proven an impactful addition to the development of animal and human health

There are more older workers in agriculture than in any other industry, with the average age approaching 60. Without adequate support, the impacts of aging

COVID-19 has dramatically changed the way that we work on the farm: food production systems have been greatly taxed, and as with all essential work, agricultural

MARCH 2021 Diane DeWitte and Sarah Schieck Boelke are Extension Educators with the University of Minnesota Extension. With both having educational backgrounds

FEBRUARY 2021 The concept of sharing for most of us probably goes back to childhood. Whether we learned to share with a sibling, a friend, or in school,

FEBRUARY 2021 The National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants and Migrants (NRC-RIM) was established to address disparities in RIM (refugee, immigrant

FEBRUARY 2021 At the 2021 Women in Ag Network Annual Conference, UMASH hosted a stress buster in the virtual community. The 2021 conference Building Bridges,

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when microorganisms – bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites become resistant to antimicrobial substances, like

FEBRUARY 2021 UMASH regularly emphasizes that agriculture is one of the most dangerous occupations in the US, according to the National Institute for Occupational

Cold temperatures pose serious threats to a person’s health, leading to frostbite, hypothermia, or trench foot, which occurs when the feet have been

JANUARY 2021 Have you ever been told…”that’s my advice, take it or leave it.”? Many of us have sought advice from a trusted person – maybe

JANUARY 2021 What images come to mind when you think of hazards on the farm – large tractors, grain bins, ATV’s, chemicals? These are all very

JANUARY 2021 An active imagination, paired with a One Health approach, may prevent future pandemics. UMASH’s programs and projects prioritize a One

JANUARY 2021 “We wanted to do good with our platform,” said Minnesota Millennial Farmer, Zach Johnson, after he and his wife raised $60,000 to prevent

JANUARY 2021 Farming is a dangerous and physically demanding job no matter your gender or body type. Even though women are very capable of running farming

DECEMBER 2020 A productive and positive work environment is integral to the success of any operation, and understanding how to achieve that is just as

DECEMBER 2020 In lieu of the usual schedule of summer farm shows, we connected and caught up with the agricultural community at the UMASH Online Expo this

DECEMBER 2020 The recent news is overflowing with the approval and distribution of the COVID -19 vaccine. Coverage of the UPS and FedEx trucks leaving

Fires pose serious threats to the wellbeing of livestock and humans. Farms have many flammable materials, such as pesticides, cobwebs, dust, bedding, hay,

DECEMBER 2020 UMASH’s best kept secret is a secret no more! In our #UMASHResearchers social media campaign, we highlighted four of our researchers: Pete

NOVEMBER 2020 As we wrap up harvest, plans are being made for 2021. While we do not hope for any disasters, now is the time to plan for one. Shay Foulk

Jeff Bender, DVM UMASH Director We often “live in the moment” and sometimes forget to plan or strategize for the future. The current pandemic has reminded

DECEMBER 2020 Ever heard the phrase, “use the right tool for the job?” If you’re in a hands-on occupation, using the right tool is important

NOVEMBER 2020 On November 17-20, the Midwest Rural Agricultural Safety and Health Conference (MRASH) brought together safety and health researchers and

NOVEMBER 2020 Kyle Koshalek Research Coordinator, National Farm Medicine Center The Rural Firefighters Delivering Agriculture Safety and Health (RF-DASH)

NOVEMBER 2020 Farming has always been a “busy” job and fall harvest is one of the busiest times of the year. Getting the crop out, repairing equipment,

NOVEMBER 2020 Dairy farms have been synonymous with Wisconsin for many years. America’s Dairyland is the tagline appropriately used on vehicle license

One week before National Rural Health Day, UMASH hosted a Twitter chat on Thursday, November 12 about rural healthcare for agricultural communities, broadband

Coping with loss is challenging. Loss can take on many forms - loss of a business, loss of a relationship or loss in a death of a friend or family member

Farmers and ranchers know the sacrifices of the seasons: harvest, planting, calving or staying up to take care of what needs to be done. While a necessary

Dairy and silage go hand in hand. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Field Specialist's Fred Hall and Jenn Bentley had a conversation with

This fall we are saying goodbye to Diane Kampa, UMASH Center Coordinator since our beginning in 2011, and later directing the outreach program. Diane has

On November 10th, 2020, UMASH team members Molly VanBrocklin, Student Web/Graphic Designer, Maria Bertrand, Research Assistant and Devon Charlier, Research

 NOVEMBER 2020 The Cultivating Resiliency project began as a partner project with UMASH in 2018 which centered around the fact that farm women and women

OCTOBER 2020 Conference season for many in agriculture comes around in the late fall and winter months. Moving these connections and presentations online

UMASH and Emily Krekelberg go “way back” with our mutual mission of promoting farm safety and health. Emily knows first hand the inherent dangers involved

OCTOBER 2020 Following a series of serious farm incidents in Minnesota, AgWeek Journalist Noah Fish connected with UMASH and Extension to garner safety

Implications for Essential Workers COVID-19 has affected all of us in some way. During this time, UMASH has been providing trusted information to farmers,

UMASH staff are regularly thinking about how we engage and communicate with our audience and stakeholders in agricultural safety and health. Creating great

As we move into fall and harvest season, much of the Upper Midwest has continued to see significant rainfall. Safety issues associated with manure storage,

OCTOBER 2020 In 2018, the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (UMASH) established a partner project with the NAMI Minnesota to address

OCTOBER 2020 Do you know someone who is struggling with their mental health? Are you wondering how you could help them? Look no further! In collaboration

Many of us have experienced a near miss or close call when working on the farm. Did the experience change how you do chores or tasks? Are you thinking

OCTOBER 2020 The school year has kicked off, and educators are connecting with students in person, online, or through a mix of both. Educators joined the

SEPTEMBER 2020 Farming is a dangerous occupation, and many communities may be extra vulnerable to COVID-19. If you live, work, or grew up on a farm, you

SEPTEMBER 2020 If we reflect back in history to 1944, what do we remember? Many of us weren’t around at this time, but a google search of the year tells

SEPTEMBER 2020 Harvest is coming, get your podcast queue ready. Rural Perspectives Podcast, hosted by AgCountry Farm Credit Services, featured UMASH’s

SEPTEMBER 2020 The tenth annual National Teach Ag Day is on Thursday, September 17, 2020. National Teach Ag Day is designed to encourage others to teach

SEPTEMBER 2020 Signals can convey many messages, such as STOP on the red light, emergency or distress (SOS) signals or a thumbs up emoji signaling a job

SEPTEMBER 2020 Dr. Peter Davies, BVSc, PhD is a faculty member in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota and a principal investigator

A sound safety and health program is an effective way to manage risks, protect your business and the people working and living on your farm. Whether you

Be Safe and Smart Around Silage Tracey Erickson South Dakota State University Extension August 24, 2020 As summer changes over to autumn, silage harvest

SEPTEMBER 2020 Ever heard the phrase, “If one is good, two must be better?” Kids on and off the farm are often attracted to tractors and ask the driver

Jeff Bender, DVM UMASH Director I’m missing seeing people in person. Yet, over the past few months, nearly all of our UMASH interactions are being handled

AUGUST 2020 Dr. Jeff Bender was one of the featured speakers on the August 26, 2020 episode of The Dairy Signal™, a live streamed event hosted by the

Children, teens, and adults working on farms face hazards not encountered in other jobs. Youth doing work that doesn’t match their developmental level

Even though the days remain hot, humid and summerlike, fall harvest is just around the corner and many farmers are gearing up for the busy days. Grain

AUGUST 2020 When the farm show ends, the reminiscing begins. The people we saw. The lessons we learned. So much to do and never enough time to do it all.

AUGUST 2020 “We’ve transitioned the event online” seems to be the norm for the time being. This year, Minnesota Farmfest moved their programming

AUGUST 2020 The UMASH Online Expo: A 20/20 Look at Ag Health Safety and Wellness recently wrapped up, which was UMASH’s first online expo as an alternative

AUGUST 2020 Many farmers and ranchers use ATVs and UTVs responsibly for essential work. They are a common piece of equipment and need to be handled in

JULY 2020 Fly swatters and yardsticks are common giveaways or freebies at farm shows, fairs and other events by exhibitors. With many of these events cancelled

JULY 2020 Demonstrations can be an effective method of both teaching and learning. In addition to reading and hearing information, seeing and practicing

JULY 2020 On June 30th, UMASH hosted a community forum for the eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota region. This was the second of two community

JULY 2020 COVID-19 has changed the way we work, and farmer cooperatives are no exception. Human resource leaders at farmer cooperatives are taking in information

JULY 2020 “Is it hot enough for you?” Summer has arrived with all the heat, humidity and everyday conversations (or complaints) about the weather.

JULY 2020 The sun is shining, and the birds are chirping. All I want to do is go to the fair. I can imagine the cheese curds, the laughter, the 4Hers showing

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we work on the farm. You and/or your employee(s) can use this form to complete safety checks in light of the pandemic.

JUNE 2020 It is December 8, 2019, late afternoon and nearly time for milking… Meg Moynihan-Stuedemann is getting the parlor ready and notices that

JUNE 2020 On June 15, UMASH hosted a community forum for the western Wisconsin/eastern Minnesota region. The focus was aging on the farm, an important

Farming is a challenging occupation. Whether it is low commodity prices, COVID-19 related effects, farm transitioning or any number of issues, farmers

JUNE 2020 How old is old? Depending on who you ask, you may get a number of answers. 45? 55? 65? Is it when you are eligible for senior discounts, safe

A recent article from NDSU Extension suggests farmers develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), safety steps that a farm creates so that everyone stays

JUNE 2020 COVID-19 has changed how we live, work and learn, and UMASH has been adapting with everyone else. UMASH staff taught a new course at the University

JUNE 2020 The United States and many communities around the world are “growing older.” With the changes in demographics today and in the future, aging

JUNE 2020 Aging is part of life and if Benjamin Franklin had his way, none of us would grow old. But we do and with aging comes many changes – physiologically,

This spotlight features an article from Patrick Wagner, SDSU Extension, with tips on preventing tick bites, as well as resources available on tick prevention,

MAY 2020 Producers and farmworkers face a dilemma during COVID-19. If a pesticide label lists a respirator, the applicator must wear a respirator. It’s

MAY 2020 Dr. Gus Brihn is a Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine Resident with the Center for Animal Health and Food Safety at the University

MAY 2020 The Promoting Worker Health and Safety for Immigrant Dairy Workers project was recently featured in the May 11, 2020 Dairy Star. The story highlighted

MAY 2020 The University of Minnesota’s Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing is working to address the needs of communities during these

MAY 2020 The current pandemic has required agricultural educators to be more creative than ever. To assist with teaching about agricultural safety and

MAY 2020 COVID-19 has shown a light on the subject of public health and its important role it serves for everyone. The School of Public Health offered

MAY 2020 With age comes wisdom but also an increased risk of injury. Creating an age-friendly workplace was the focus of this year’s National Occupational

APRIL 2020 The beginning of 2020 spun many plans upside down as we all adjusted to our new normal. AgriSafe Network, a national nonprofit known for “Protecting

APRIL 2020 The COVID-19 pandemic has far reaching effects, most recently named are the meat packing plants across the country. Many of the workers are

APRIL 2020 Dr. Jeff Bender, UMASH Center director, was part of an AgriSafe sponsored webinar on April 2, 2020. The webinar was aimed at assisting producers

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical importance of those who produce our food. Deemed “essential” workers, these individuals continue

APRIL 2020 The average age of U.S. farmers is approaching 60 years old, making farmers vulnerable to health and safety risks. No matter your age or occupation,

811 is the national number designated by the Federal Communications Commission to help protect homeowners and professional excavators from unintentionally

The Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (UMASH) is providing guidance on the prevention and spread of COVID-19 for farmers, ranchers and

 APRIL 2020 Chela Vázquez Coordinator and Trainer vazquezc@umn.edu It’s been two years since I joined UMASH doing trainings on health and safety in

 APRIL 2020 Our neighbors to the North in Canada, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS), with Imperial Oil, have developed a simple, but effective

This is a simple, yet powerful safety tool that encourages everyone on the farm to consider the task or chore at hand, to ask themselves how their own

Farmers and agricultural workers need respiratory protection for many jobs on the farm – such as working around grain, hogs, hay, or solid pesticides.

The 6th annual Agricultural Safety Connection Educational Seminar was held January 7, 2020 at Stevens Point, Wisconsin. This event is sponsored by the

MARCH 2020 New study reveals greater levels of infection in people working with livestock Minnesotans who live or work on a farm with livestock and poultry

MARCH 2020 March rolled in like a lamb this year – which created perfect conditions for the annual Farm City Hub Club Show in New Ulm, MN. This year

OSHA and the National Grain and Feed Association (NFGA) are increasing efforts to ensure that people stay safe when working around grain bins. Headed by

MARCH 2020 Ashley Fey, MPH Program Manager – AgriSafe Network AgriSafe has led distance education innovation in agricultural safety and health for

FEBRUARY 2020 Jeff Bender, DVM, MS Director, Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center Farming is dangerous work and farm workers are at high

On February 25, 2020, the Saint Cloud Annie’s Project hosted their final class, focusing on stress, mental health, and agricultural safety and health.

Safety messages were shown throughout the 12th annual Ag Symposium on February 19, 2020, at the Kato Ballroom in Mankato, Minnesota. South Central College

The Carver County Dairy Expo is an annual event to bring dairy farmers, educators and dairy exhibitors together to support the dairy industry in the area.

UMASH staff kicked off February in Willmar, Minnesota, for the 2020 Women in Ag Network Conference hosted by University of Minnesota Extension on February

Agriculture is an occupation and a way of life for farmers and their family members who live and work on the farm. It is also an industry with high rates

The Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH) is proud to announce the 10th anniversary of the Center’s annual Agricultural

JANUARY 2020 Growing up in rural America, agriculture classes and FFA are two avenues that many youth choose to participate in, particularly if they are

UMASH staff traveled to Saint Cloud on January 9-10 for the 2020 Minnesota Organics Conference hosted by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.  

JANUARY 2020 Rural firefighters are many times volunteers and serve the agricultural community by responding to emergencies both on and off farms. One

JANUARY 2020 Alexandra Cortes, Outreach staff Produce Safety Program, Minnesota Department of Agriculture What comes to mind when you think about the risks

Dr. Gus Brihn is a Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine Resident with the Center for Animal Health and Food Safety at the University of Minnesota.

The University of Minnesota Alumni Association’s Winter 2020 magazine, Minnesota Alumni, highlighted innovative approaches U of M alumni, students, and

DECEMBER 2019 Opioid dependency has been and continues to be a problem for many and it does not discriminate. Rural America is not immune to the problems

DECEMBER 2019 Safety is a big issue on the farm, but with busy days and potential language barriers, how do you discuss farm safety with employees? QuickCards

Ag Health and Safety Alliance came to Minnesota on December 2, 2019, to host their “Gear Up for Ag Health & Safety” program with students at South

Hello! My name is Ana Contreras Smith. I joined the UMASH team in July as the Dairy Safety Trainer for the Promoting Safety and Health for Immigrant Dairy

Megan Schossow and Maria Bertrand attended this year’s Minnesota Farm Bureau (MFB) Annual Meeting on Friday, November 22nd in Bloomington, Minnesota.

The Minnesota Farmers Union State Convention was held the weekend of November 22 – 24, 2019 in Minneapolis. Megan Schossow and Carol Peterson exhibited

NOVEMBER 2019 UMASH is invested in helping farmers through these challenging times. We join many others in this effort to offer resources to assist farmers,

  Building resilience in agricultural communities starts with preparedness, planning and prevention. This year’s Midwest Rural Agricultural

Last week we hosted our sixth Agritourism Workshop in Andover, Minnesota. These workshops are co-hosted by the Minnesota Department of Health Zoonotic

NOVEMBER 2019 Sharing is caring is a well used tag line for emails and social media to “get the word out ” on important topics. UMASH often shares

Grain handling is a high-hazard activity, where workers face serious injury and death. Youth should not be in grain bins or silos or in/around flat storage

Scott Heiberger and Melissa Ploeckelman are no strangers to the agricultural media. In November, they headed to Kansas City to take part in the National

NOVEMBER 2019 Agriculture still ranks one of the most dangerous occupations, but what does that really mean? Where are the injuries occurring? What are

  UMASH began in 2011 as a new Center of Excellence in Agricultural Disease and Injury Research, Education, and Prevention funded by the National

At the end of October, Melissa Ploeckelman and Kyle Koshalek headed down to Indianapolis to attend the National FFA Convention. Ploeckelman and Koshalek

The national Women in Sustainable Ag (WISA) conference, hosted by Midwest Organic and Sustainability Education Service (MOSES), was held in Saint Paul,

Whole body vibration is happening when doing many farm chores – like operating machinery or riding an ATV. Whole body vibration (WBV) occurs when

OCTOBER 2019 At UMASH, we value the power of connections. At Minnesota Farmfest, a conversation led to an introduction with Alma Jordan, founder of AgriKids.

OCTOBER 2019 A friend in need is a friend indeed. Old Proverb A friend is there to help when times are tough.  Unfortunately, times are tough right now

We’ve been holding onto summer, and attended the University of Minnesota Farmers Market on September 18th. This event was an enhanced farmers market

SEPTEMBER 2019 Minnesota drivers have to be Hands-Free as of August 2019, so we talked to Minnesota Safety Council’s President, Paul Aasen for answers

The Southern Research and Outreach Center (SROC) is one of 10 centers affiliated with the University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural

  Every year, Cottonwood County 4H coordinators host Fall Field Days at the University of Minnesota Southwest Research and Outreach Center (SWROC).

In the first national training pilot, Rural Firefighters Delivering Agricultural Safety and Health (RF-DASH) instructors conducted a 2-day workshop for

Petting zoos are a common attraction at fairs, festivals and other events. It is hard to resist picking up a furry friend or letting the baby calf lick

SEPTEMBER 2019 The Rural Firefighters Delivering Agriculture Safety and Health (RF-DASH) project, funded by UMASH, is exploring a national program. Due

Tractors are nearly universal on the farm. While a critical piece of equipment, tractors are also the number one cause of death on the farm. Take the time

SEPTEMBER 2019 Dr. Gerard Cramer is one of our colleagues that knows dairy cows well – right down to the hooves. Prior to joining the University

  Bo Hu, Ph.D. and Associate Professor in the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering at the University of Minnesota, along with other

The UMASH staff hit the road and got their boots on the ground in Redwood County, MN, for Farmfest 2019, which attracts over 30,000 people every year.

AUGUST 2019 Travel around the Upper Midwest and you’ll see that the landscape is dotted with grain bins in all shapes and sizes. These structures house

Working with pesticides is a regular occurrence for many individuals involved with agriculture. While working with pesticides may be inevitable, incidental

A new Wellness and Safety Pavilion brought health, safety and wellness resources and activities to attendees at Minnesota Farmfest, August 6-8, 2019. Co-sponsored

During the 2019 American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA) convention, nearly 50 AVMA related groups gathered in Washington, D.C. for lectures, workshops

AUGUST 2019 Being efficient is key to getting jobs done on the farm.  Farm Bureau Financial Services and UMASH understand this need and encourage farmers

JULY 2019 Teaching agriculture today is more diverse than ever from biosecurity standards to hearing protection to business management, teachers have much

JULY 2019 The term “multiplier effect” is a term you may be familiar with and one commonly used in the world of economics.  UMASH and our neighboring U.S.

We’re telling the story of agricultural health and safety. Megan Schossow joined the National Farm Medicine Center as an exhibitor in the Info Expo for

The phrase, “in a split second” is used frequently to describe all types of situations that happen quickly and without time to react, many of which can be

JULY 2019 Seeing something live for the first time can have a big impact. Whether it is a positive or negative occurrence, being present can make

What comes to mind when you think of pigs?  The Three Little Pigs? Miss Piggy? Piglet? Pigs are common and a popular “character” in literature and

JULY 2019 In a time of information overload, being an amplifier and champion for safety is not a small feat to accomplish. Dr. Marcos Grigioni has been

Minnesota Farmfest is offering a convenient way to get a free health screening during the show August 6 – 8, 2019. The screenings are part of a larger

The National Farm Medicine Center (NFMC), located in Marshfield, Wisconsin is one of the five UMASH collaborators.   We share in the mission to improve

A priority for farmers and workers is to keep children safe on the farm. Take time to talk about the dangers and take steps now to ensure your kids, their

Agriculture teachers play a vital role in educating the agricultural workforce of tomorrow. Incorporating occupational safety and health topics into the

The Minnesota Association of Agricultural Educators (MAAE) Summer Conference was held July 8 – 11, 2019 at Breezy Point Resort and Convention Center

The Center for Disease Control ( CDC) has recently released two guidelines for fair organizers and those exhibiting pigs at the fair to help all of us

Ninety-six percent of participating school-based agriculture teachers found animal safety either moderately, very, or extremely important to teach in the

Protecting People in Agriculture is the motto for ISASH – the International Society for Agricultural Safety and Health        

Warm weather means hay and silage season for many farms. Moving parts, dusts, long days, and roadway hazards are a few of the ways haying and silage harvest

National Farm Medicine Center Marshfield Clinic Research Institute The Associate Research Scientist maintains and conducts a high quality research program

National Farm Medicine Center Marshfield Clinic Research Institute The Research Specialist will assist in the development and coordination of research

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

The current issue of the peer-reviewed Journal of Agromedicine includes 13 articles focused on health and safety issues related to loggers and forestry

UMASH partner, Migrant Clinicians Network, incorporates popular education approaches such as comic books to illustrate complex topics in a user friendly

There is no doubt, owning and operating a dairy farm is a full time job.  The beginning of June kicks off two popular events National Dairy Month and

Inspired by evaluation feedback from last year’s Down on the Farm: Supporting Farmers in Stressful Times events, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Tick-borne disease is a serious health-concern across the Upper Midwest, particularly for anyone working outdoors. Farmers might be more likely to walk

Tick-borne diseases are on the rise, but are often misdiagnosed and under-reported. Check yourself, your family and your pets after being outside!

Registration is open for the 2019 International Society for Agricultural Safety and Health (ISASH) Annual Conference, June 24-27, at the Embassy Suites

  Carrie Klumb,  from the Minnesota Department of Health was recently recognized by the School of Public Health and received the 2019 Emerging Leader

A Fun on the Farm: Agritourism Workshop will be held May 16th in Farmington, MN to offer health and safety information for agritourism operators.

The Minnesota FFA convention was held April  28 - 30, 2019 on the University of Minnesota campus.  This April event brings over 4000 students and a sea

For 25 years, Progressive Agriculture Safety Days®, a program of the Progressive Agriculture Foundation (PAF), has been on a mission to provide the education,

Youth who want to learn more about farm and tractor safety or would like to work with equipment with over 20 horsepower off their family farms, have an

Jeff Bender and Carolyn Sheridan are teaching a course, Minimizing Transmission of Infectious Diseases During Outbreaks, as part of the Public Health Institute

The 2019 Dairy Health Conference was held April 17 and 18 at the University of Minnesota – St. Paul Campus. Dairy veterinarians, industry representatives

The tenth annual Ag Awareness Day was on April 16, 2019 on the Northrop Plaza of the University of Minnesota East Bank campus. This event is coordinated

The 2019 Upper Midwest Dairy Industry Association was held April 16 and 17 in St. Cloud and Rochester, Minnesota respectively. Jeff Bender, co director

Preparation is the first step on any project. Before starting a new digging project on the farm, call 811 before you dig. Hitting a buried utility is dangerous

Excavation on the farm can be dangerous work. Hitting or damaging an underground gas or electric line can lead to potentially fatal results along with

Compeer Financial kicked off spring with four Women’s Financial Seminars throughout Minnesota. These seminars provided female farmers an opportunity

UMASH, Minnesota 4-H, and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) joined together to produce two new videos for 4-H clubs on the topics of biosecurity

UMASH and the High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health & Safety (HICAHS) doubled up to provide safety and health information to dairy farmers,

AgriSafe has developed resources and trainings that can prepare female farmers to farm stronger and to invest in themselves.

The mission of the County Fair Facility Upgrade Grant Program is to support rural areas in Compeer Financial’s territory by funding county fair organizations

The Health Promotion Practice Journal has recognized one of our own - Applying Learning Theory to Safety and Health Training for Hispanic Immigrant Dairy

The High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety (HICAHS) is one of ten national Agricultural Safety and Health Centers sponsored

UMASH and our work with stress and resiliency in the farm community was recently featured on the homepage of the University of Minnesota.

Farmers, ranchers, veterinarians, and agricultural workers are susceptible to needlestick injuries on the job. Prevent these kinds of injuries through

The Midwest Center for Occupational Health and Safety (MCOHS) is now accepting applications for their pilot projects research training program.   Grants

The University of Minnesota (UMN) Extension’s Pesticide Safety and Environmental Education team is hosting a series of free, hands-on respirator fit

The Great Plains Center offers grant funding to both scholarly researchers and community organizations engaged in agricultural safety and health activities.

UMASH partner and researcher, Casper “Cap” Bendixsen, Ph.D, has been named director of the National Farm Medicine Center.

Bryan Weichelt, PhD, Director of the Return to Work project was recently published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research with this innovative program.

Megan Schossow and Carol Peterson presented at one of the Roundtable sessions at the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) conference.

Skid steers are a common and critical piece of equipment on the farm. With moving buckets, blind spots, and varying center of balance, these machines can

Chela Vazquez and Carol Peterson attended the 2019 Carver County Dairy Expo and exhibited UMASH resources on topics relevant to dairy farmers.

Carol Peterson and Meg Moynihan (MDA) attended the Ag Resiliency Series session in Mankato, MN on February 15. The series featured Dr. Amit Sood, MD, creator

Andrea Bjornestad, Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling and Human Development at SDSU, shares information on South Dakota suicide statistics,

Farmers and ranchers are often at the mercy of factors beyond their control — and that unpredictability can take a toll. CHS is undertaking a special

UMASH was one of many studies in the University of Minnesota’s Driven to Discover Research Building activities during the 12 days of the 2016 Minnesota

The fourth annual Women in Ag Network conference was held February 13, 2019 in Willmar MN. This conference is sponsored by Extension and is an opportunity

HICAHS is seeking proposals for awards up to $25,000 for the project period October 2019 – August 2020. The High Plains Intermountain Center for

Stress, depression, and suicide are on the mind of agricultural communities, where economic, social, and environmental forces challenge the health and

The Farm Safety Check was launched in January 2017 to provide farmers with a simple tool to identify and fix potential hazards before they cause harm to

Telling the Story Project features real-life experiences and personal accounts of families and individuals directly affected by injuries and close calls.

El Fondo de Nuestra Comunidad, an affiliate of The Saint Paul & Minnesota Community Foundations, is currently seeking proposals for projects, initiatives

UMASH partner Carrie Klumb was part of a panel titled How to Host an On-the-Farm Event at the 2019 LEAP Conference.

The three US Ag Centers serving the Midwest Region have come together to reach farmers with specific safety and health information to improve the lives

The Minnesota Association of Agricultural Educators (MAAE) 2019 Technology Conference was held January 18 and 19 in St. Cloud MN. Melissa Ploeckelman and

UMASH exhibited health and safety information related to agritourism, farmer stress and the Farm Safety Check at the Minnesota Organic Conference.

Hello! My name is Chela Vázquez. Hello! My name is Chela Vázquez. In 2018 I began working for UMASH as project coordinator and trainer for the Promoting

We’ve performed a quality review on all of our checklists to update links and resources, and created a new two-page fillable pdf with additional space

UMASH collaborator Emily Wilmes talks about stress in farm country though collaborations and workshops like Farming in Tough Times.

A new interactive online series is setting out to help women in agriculture cultivate resiliency by focusing on what they can control in these challenging

Dennis Hoiberg, an Austrailian change consultant, led a workshop to help farmers and those who work closely with farmers, rural communities and business

The 2018 Midwest Rural Agricultural Safety and Health ( MRASH) was held November 27 - 29 in Council Bluffs, Iowa.  Megan Schossow and Carol Peterson represented

UMASH Co-Director, Jeff Bender was a presenter on a November 28, 2018 webinar hosted by the National Pork Board and the National Hog Farmer.

A unique dairy safety training program brings training to the field/barn on iPad devices. The mobile learning curriculum included the UMASH positive animal

Megan Schossow and Carol Peterson from UMASH exhibited at the 100th Annual Meeting of the Minnesota Farm Bureau on November 16, 2018.

NOVEMBER 2018 When extreme stress manifests as a breaking point, like suicide, agricultural communities face unimaginable tragedy and loss. Stress, depression,

When applying manure, it is important to remember to work safely and avoid cutting corners. Besides general machinery safety, there are many additional

Monica Kramer McConkey offers a unique perspective on controlling negative thoughts just as we need to control weeds in the field.

What is One Health? Who uses it? Why is it important? Further understanding the links between people, animals, and the environment has allowed us to address

On October 30, 2018, Scott Heiberger and Melissa Ploeckelman headed down to Indianapolis, Indiana to represent the National Children’s Center of Rural

This spotlight discusses dust exposures and the proper use of one type of respirator, also known as a dust mask.

A broad range of organizations became Farm Safety Partners, sharing ag health and safety messages.

Hearing loss is permanent and irreversible. October is National Protect Your Hearing Month, and it’s also a time of year farmers are working around combines,

American Agricultural Editors Association (AEAA) hosted a regional workshop on Friday, October 5, 2018, at CHS in Inver Grove Heights, MN. Megan Schossow

SEPTEMBER 2018 All too often we read or hear about an injury caused by a piece of farm equipment.  There are more than 700 deaths and 100,000 injuries

UMASH is partnering with the Minnesota Milk Producers Association (MMPA) to promote safety in the dairy industry.

President Trump, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton, and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker have proclaimed the week of September 16 - 22, 2018 as National Farm

Tractors and farming are nearly one and the same. Unfortunately tractor rollovers can and do occur too often, whether it is on the small hobby farm or

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting veterinary medical professionals, as well as those who work with horses and pigs, that a synthetic progesterone

The Big Iron Farm Show was held September 11 - 13, 2018 in Fargo ND. Carol Peterson attended the 3 day event to provide health and safety outreach to this

In farming, there’s a lot out of your control, creating stress that can potentially lead to serious impacts on your well-being. Check in on yourself,

Before full-fledged summer activities kicked off, Megan Schossow met with Dr. DeAnn Lazovich, Associate Professor and Researcher at University of Minnesota

Megan Schossow and Diane Kampa staffed the UMASH outreach table at the Farm Progress Show that was held August 28-30 in Boone, Iowa.

Megan Schossow, UMASH staffer and second-year graduate student, traveled to Washington, D.C. for an internship with the Agricultural Safety and Health

UMASH staff participated in the 2018 North American Manure Expo, August 15-16 in Brookings, South Dakota.

The National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety hosted a Child Injury Prevention Workshop August 14-15.

Ag for Life recently visited UMASH. It was a great opportunity for both organizations to highlight projects, resources, and share strategies for improving

UMASH and our neighboring centers worked together for the third year at MN Farmfest August 7 – 9 near Redwood Falls, MN.

UMASH partners with other agencies and organizations to improve the safety and health of the agricultural community. One of these partners is the Minnesota

Silage bunkers and silos have unique hazards, like silo gas, dusts that may contain mold, avalanches, falls, and more. Silage gas formation during the

What happens to all the used sharps used in agriculture?  Where are they stored?  Can they be thrown in the household trash? Are there general guidelines

Dr. Jeff Bender, co-director of the UMASH center, presented a workshop at the annual American Veterinary Medical Association convention July 13 - 17, 2018

UMASH staffers, Diane Kampa and Carol Peterson, kicked off the farm show season with Farm Technology Days. This show was held July 10-12, 2018 near Marshfield,

Those working in agriculture are at a higher risk for skin cancer because of time spent in the sun. It’s important to take multiple steps to protect

Tell a story, save a life. That’s the idea behind a new project inserting injury prevention messages into first-hand accounts of farmers and others impacted

The International Society for Agricultural Safety and Health (ISASH) held their 2018 annual meeting in Halifax, Nova Scotia June 24 – 28. Diane Kampa

As grass-cutting season gets underway it’s typical to see children and teenagers operating push and riding mowers. But these tasks can be hazardous.

The Minnesota Workplace Safety Consultation - Safety Grant Program provides up to $10,000 in matching funds to qualifying applicants to reduce injury and

Breakfast on the Farm is an annual event that draws people from both rural and urban areas to explore the workings of farm production and educate consumers

The Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH) is now accepting applications for their pilot/feasibility projects program.  

UMASH is fortunate to partner with Extension colleagues across the state in a number of areas. One colleague is Emily Wilmes, Extension Educator in Stearns,

Minnesota Corn Growers Association’s Jonathan Eisenthal interviewed UMASH Director, Bruce Alexander, as a late spring descended on the Upper Midwest

Synthetic chemical use is often a part of farming and agriculture. Pesticides can be serious irritants to skin, eyes, and lungs, can affect your internal

UMASH joined the Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS) for a presentation on the Proyecto Para Trabajadores Agrícolas (Agricultural Worker

UMASH and the Migrant Clinician’s Network partnered together to develop, train and deliver the Seguridad en las Lecherías project from 2011 – 2016.

Extension Risk Management Education (ERME) educates America’s farmers and ranchers to manage the unique risks of producing food for the world’s table.

UMASH was one of the sponsors for the Women’s Agricultural Leadership Conference “Agriculture 2018: Passion for Progress” at the Minnesota Landscape

April 10, 2018 was the Annual Agricultural Awareness Day put on by the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences’ Agriculture Education,

Spring and fall are some of the busiest seasons for farm equipment on the road, so gear up for a safe, attentive year on the roads. Rural roads pose special

Isn’t it satisfying to check items off a to-do list? UMASH created a safety resource that allows you to do exactly that. The Farm Safety Check is a

Fatigue has serious negative impacts on physical and mental health. Operating machinery when you’re sleep deprived can be as dangerous as operating machinery

UMASH traveled over the river into Wisconsin for Ag Safety Day 2018 at the Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (WITC) – New Richmond Campus. We were

UMASH partnered with the Central Minnesota Trauma Advisory Committee (CENTRAC) to connect with farmers and farm families at the Central Minnesota Farm

UMASH braved some winter weather to meet new faces and organizations. The Midwest Organic Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) hosted their 2018 Organic

The media play an important role in reinforcing safety in agriculture and in rural life across the United States. What we write, say and show as images

The Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America (ASHCA) annual conference was held February 21-23 in Scottsdale, AZ. Carrie Klumb represented UMASH

Agricultural journalists have an active interest in covering safety more effectively and new opportunities exist for helping them do so, according to research

UMASH was invited to exhibit at the Carver County Dairy Expo on February 19, 2018 in Norwood Young America.  This was the 26th year of the Expo and a

Stressed livestock are more likely to injure themselves, their handlers, and are more difficult to work with. Providing stockmanship training for workers

The third annual Women in Agriculture Network, sponsored by  University of Minnesota Extension, was held February 15, 2018 in St. Cloud, MN.   The

The “Rural Firefighters Delivering Agricultural Safety and Health,” or RF-DASH, project is training and equipping firefighters/EMS with tools and

The first day of Down on the Farm workshops was held January 30, 2018, at Ridgewater College in Willmar, MN. Stress factors have been on the rise on farms,

UMASH Outreach Coordinator Diane Kampa attended the Managing Stresses in Farming, Families, and Finances Workshop on Monday, January 29, 2018 at Bismarck

Communication is key. Although this overly-heard cliche provides no solution, it’s a good reminder of the importance of communication. To put it simply,

The Lake Region Extension Round Up was held January 9 and 10, 2018 in Devils Lake North Dakota. Carol Peterson and graduate student Megan Schossow represented

In the busy life of farming, it is important to reach farmers where they are with relevant safety information to protect themselves, their families and

University of Minnesota student Alexis Murillo describes her experiences and what she learned during her time working as a UMASH Communications Intern.

November is a month to reflect and be thankful. Bruce Alexander, Director of UMASH, puts into words how grateful we are as an organization to partner with

UMASH connected with Township Officials across the state at the Minnesota Association of Townships annual meeting on November 16-17, 2017. Visitors to

The Midwest Rural Agricultural Safety and Health (MRASH) Conference was held November 14 and 15, 2017 at Central College in Pella, Iowa.  Over 70 agricultural

UMASH was fortunate to cooperate for a second time with Minnesota Milk Producers (MMPA) at a recent Spanish Dairy Management Workshop.  25 dairy workers

Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless, flammable, and extremely hazardous gas. It is produced by the breakdown of animal wastes or manure. It is heavier than

When farm workers are forced to take time off due to sickness or injuries, the current return-to-work process has often been a hardship for both the individual

Tick- borne diseases are particularly threatening to people who spend a majority of their days in high-risk tick areas such as farmers, DNR members, and

Students from all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin islands came into the safety area to learn about how to stay safe while working on a farm and performing

Healthy respiratory systems and air quality go hand-in-hand. Swine producers are at particularly high risk to respiratory disease as a result of the conditions

The National Hog Farmer publication reminded hog producers to use sound practices and protocols when vaccinating or administering medications via sharps. 

There are many stories. Stories of farmers with chronic illnesses. Stories of middle aged ag-workers suffering from respiratory issues. Stories of farm

In August 2017, UMASH, the Great Plains Center for Agriculture Health (GPCAH), and the Center States Center for Agriculture Safety and Health (CS-CASH),

Keeping Your Visitors Happy and Healthy. Agritourism is an opportunity for farms to allow guests onto the premises to enjoy some kind of agriculture experience.

Is your farm ready in the event of an accident, fire or a force of Mother Nature?  Many times we take for granted being prepared for these unforeseen

The Allen D. Leman Swine Conference is an annual educational event for the global swine industry. It is internationally acclaimed for bringing science-driven

The Big Iron Farm Show was held September 12 – 14 at the fairgrounds in West Fargo, ND.  Carol Peterson from UMASH and Marsha Cheyney from Great Plain

Melissa Ploeckelman and Scott Heiberger attended the First Annual Dairy Plant and Field Reps Conference in Eau Claire on August 23, 2017 in Eau Claire. 

Megan Roberts, Assistant Extension Professor for the University of Minnesota, lead a pilot project to develop a curriculum for agriculture educators that

Allowing people to visit your farm provides a unique opportunity for you to tell the story of your farm, and for the members of the public to learn more

UMASH collaborated with Minnesota Milk Producers Association on a Spanish Dairy Management Workshop on August 8, 2017 in Rochester, Minnesota. UMASH highlighted

On August 1, 2017, UMASH sponsored a panel discussion at the Minnesota Farmfest. The panel discussion was titled Farm Safety: Protecting You, Your Family,

Minnesota Farmfest 2017 was held August 1-3, 2017 near Redwood Falls, MN.  This was the third year UMASH participated in the show to network and provide

Farming is a profession where much of the work occurs outside and because of that farm workers can be exposed to extreme temperatures. Summer heat and

The Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH) is now accepting applications for their pilot/feasibility projects program.  

Agricultural workers all over the world rely on ATVs to complete tasks on the farm; however, despite the usefulness of ATVs, serious injuries can result

Rural firefighters are farmers’ neighbors, friends, family, or are farmers in their own right. They are a highly trainable and trusted workforce. Moreover,

It is important to take special precautions on the roadways during planting and harvesting season—whether you are a farmer or driver of a motor vehicle.

The Minnesota Corn Growers Association featured the UMASH Farm Safety Check in their recent article, “Safety review a year-round effort”. As part of

On May 5th, the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Symposium targeted the opioid crisis for its annual outreach event. The symposium focused

Electrical safety is key to prevent fires, user related accidents, electrocution and potential death. Take a look at possible electrical hazards on your

The occupational death rate on farms is nearly 800 percent greater than in all other industries combined. The leading cause of farm deaths is tractor rollovers.

The outreach team represented UMASH at the annual Ag Awareness Day on the University of Minnesota East Bank campus. This was a great opportunity to showcase

The University of Minnesota Summer Public Health Institute, now in its 16th year, will be held May 22-June 9 and offers courses for everyone practicing

UMASH was one of the sponsors of the Women's Agricultural Leadership Conference "Agriculture 2017: Embracing Innovation" at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

Carol Peterson traveled to the Central Plains Dairy Expo which was held in Sioux Falls, SD on March 29 and 30, 2017. This large dairy expo brought together

UMASH and the U.S. Agricultural Safety and Health Centers partnered with the American Farm Bureau Federation in promoting the 2017 ASAP week theme “Get

Safe storage of chemicals on the farm is critical to you, your family, workers, visitors and livestock. Maintaining a proper chemical storage room or building

UMASH attended the Central Minnesota Farm Show at the River’s Edge Convention Center in Saint Cloud, Minnesota to engage with exhibitors and others about

UMASH researchers from Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) exhibited for the first time at the Minnesota Veterinary Medicine Association (MVMA) conference

Immigrant workers make up nearly half of the dairy labor force and dairies employing immigrants produce 79% of the US milk supply. However, most workers

Many people are not familiar with the risks associated with visiting a working farm. Agritourism events, including school field trips, petting zoos, county

A major source of anxiety for the cow or the pig is people. Stressed cattle and pigs are more difficult to handle and this puts workers at an increased

Needlestick injury research shows that over 80% of farm workers and 73% of swine veterinarians working in animal agriculture have accidentally stuck themselves.

UMASH attended the 2017 Women in Ag Network Conference, “Planning our Future,” at the Willmar Event Center in Willmar, Minnesota.

The Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (UMASH) is pleased to announce the addition of an agricultural worker health and safety bi-weekly

In February, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) presented a report, The Status of Farm Safety in Minnesota, to the MN Legislature.

UMASH joined the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety and Health (NCCRAHS) at the 2017 Upper Midwest Vegetable

Each farm operation is unique in the number and types of farm buildings and shops.  These structures are crucial to farm operation, but may also pose

Agricultural work is one of the most dangerous occupations in the US. In January 2017, those who work in this important industry were afforded stronger

UMASH exhibited at the annual meeting of the Minnesota Farm Bureau on November 18, 2016. It was a great opportunity to network with others in agriculture

On November 17-18, 2015 UMASH participated in the Midwest Regional Agricultural Safety and Health Conference, held at Decorah, Iowa. This conference included

Jessica Evanson, a second year veterinary public health and preventive medicine resident at the University of Minnesota, presented findings at the 2016

Andrea Mahnke presented a poster at the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) annual symposium in San Francisco in November 2015.  The title

AgInjuryNews.org is a great resource to monitor injury and fatality trends. These are not official numbers, but are gleaned from news reports across the

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the AGRI Livestock Investment Grant Program. Qualifying producers would be reimbursed

I recently had the privilege to organize an event acknowledging the efforts of participants in our Hispanic worker training research project. We had asked

More than 60,000 students, advisors, FFA alumni and exhibitors gathered in Indianapolis, IN, October 19-22, 2016 for the 89th National FFA Convention and

OCTOBER 2016 Have you ever changed your behavior because of a research study you came across on the radio or in a magazine? Perhaps you you started an

UMASH is one of several organizations featured in “Keep Safe, Keep Farming”, a special farm safety section in the September 2016 Minnesota

UMASH was one of many studies in the University of Minnesota’s Driven to Discover Research Building activities during the 12 days of the 2016 Minnesota

Westward Ho!  To farm and ranch country we went to attend the annual Dakotafest farm show in Mitchell, South Dakota.  Carol Peterson and Ruth Rasmussen

SEPTEMBER 2016 Natalie Loots UMASH Evaluation Team Research Assistant, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Minnesota School of Public

Buenas Dias, UMASH! It was a good several days in Barcelona, Spain, September 4-8 when Bruce Alexander, Jeff Bender, and Amy Liebman presented at the 25th

UMASH was well represented at the Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa, August 30-September 1, 2016. We were part of a large contingent of Health and Safety

Summer Farm Shows are the place to be! UMASH was part of the Minnesota Farm Fest in Redwood Falls, MN, August 2-4, 2016. Many producers and business representatives

UMASH and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) researcher, Carrie Klumb, presented Zoonotic Disease Surveillance Among Agricultural Workers and Their Families,

UMASH researchers presented and engaged with other ag safety professionals at the 2016 ISASH conference in Lexington KY June 26-29, 2016. Megan Roberts,

The Minnesota legislature approved funding for a tractor safety program to help Minnesota farmers add rollover protection to older tractors.  Under this

The Zika virus is a real threat to agricultural workers in some parts of the country. To help combat the spread and minimize the threat caused by this

UMASH participated in the 2016 Wisconsin Public Health Association – Wisconsin Association of Local Health Departments and Boards (WPHA – WALHDAB)

Jeff Bender, DVM, MS DACVPM, UMASH Co-Director and Carolyn Sheridan, RN, BSN, Clinical Director, AgriSafe Network,  co-taught “Minimizing Transmission

MAY 2016 Natalie Loots UMASH Evaluation Team Research Assistant, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Minnesota School of Public

The 2016 National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Symposium was held Wednesday, May 4 at Mayo Memorial Auditorium at the University of Minnesota School

MAY 2016 Jeffrey B. Bender DVM Director/CAHFS, Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine Moving and handling

UMASH Center Co-Director, Dr. Jeff Bender, presented “Don’t Get Stuck! Preventing Needlestick Injuries in Agricultural Settings” as a noontime

MARCH 2016 Peter Davies BVSc, PhD Professor, Swine Health and Production, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine Two recently published

Application Deadline: March 7, 2016 The Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (UMASH) is requesting applications for small grants ranging

Russ Daly, DVM, DACVPM, was the Principal Investigator on a 2012 UMASH (Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health) Center Pilot Project, Characterization

Peter Davies, PhD, UMASH Research Scientist and a professor in the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, in partnership with scientists

The Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center is requesting applications for small grants ranging from $5,000 to a maximum of $25,000 to address

The Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America (ASHCA) is seeking applications for the 2016 Safety Grants. The purpose of the ASHCA Safety Grants

An original research paper, “Fitting Farm Safety into Risk Communications Teaching, Research and Practice,” appears in the current issue of

Bryan Weichelt presented a poster at the American Public Health Association (APHA) annual meeting in Chicago in November 2015. The title of the poster

UMASH Co-Director Matthew Keiffer, MD, MPH has been quoted in a recent AgriView.com publication. In the article, entitled ‘Farms linked to less asthma,

Peter Davies B.V.Sc., Ph.D., professor of Swine Health and Production, and UMASH Principal Investigator on the MRSA Colonization and Infection in Swine

SEPTEMBER 2015 Joni M. Scheftel, DVM, MPH, DACVPM State Public Health Veterinarian, Minnesota Department of Health Kirk Smith, DVM, PhD Foodborne, Waterborne,

Katherine Ziekle and Elizabeth Steiner were 2015 summer interns with the National Farm Medicine Center (NFMC) at Marshfield Clinic through the Occupational

UMASH initiated a Pledge campaign from August 1st through September 30th, 2015 as part of National Farm Safety and Health Week. Our Pledge, promoted the

Grants up to $20,000 are being offered by the Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH) as part of their pilot/feasibility projects

The National Farm Medicine Center (NFMC), Migrant Clinicians Network (MCN), and four partner organizations received the inaugural Stakeholder Collaboration

With the recent avian influenza outbreak, attention must be given not only to animal health, but also the health and well-being of farmers and workers.

Dr. Christine Seroogy, Principal Investigator of the pilot project “Exploratory Immunologic Differences in Cord Blood from Infants Born into Farming

The 2015 UMASH Annual Forum entitled “Growing Agricultural Education: Embracing Health and Safety” was held at the Davies Center on the University

The 2015 National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Symposium was held Wednesday, May 6 at Mayo Memorial Auditorium at the University of Minnesota School

Scott Heiberger, Communications Specialist on the UMASH Outreach team attended the Wisconsin Bankers Association Agricultural Bankers Conference in Wisconsin

  A national survey of agritourism operators conducted by the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety guided

On January 21-22, 2015 UMASH participated in the Minnesota Pork Congress, held at the Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, MN. This conference was

UMASH was represented well at APHA in New Orleans, Louisiana, November 17-19. Healthography was the theme for this 142nd Annual Meeting of the American

UMASH staff presenting in Saskatoon, SK, Canada, October 19-22, at the 7th International Symposium: Safety & Health in Agricultural & Rural Populations:

Mankato, Minnesota was the site of the Southern Minnesota Latino Summit on September 10, 2014 attended by four UMASH personnel–Jeff Bender, Carol

SEPTEMBER 2014 Iris Reyes Research Specialist, National Farm Medicine Center As the dairy industry modernizes, Hispanic immigrant workers play an increasingly

UMASH researchers were a part of the new Driven to Discover research building activities during the 12 days of the Minnesota State Fair. Being at the Fair

Three free 4 hour workshops were held in August in Minnesota and Wisconsin focusing on dairy stockmanship. The workshops focused on the interactions between

The National Farm Medicine Center hosted two students as part of a national summer internship program providing practical experience in the field of occupational

Ag media editors tell us that safety ranks low in reader surveys. How can we work with media to make safety a more compelling read? NFMC Communications

Scott Heiberger, a communications specialist with the National Farm Medicine Center (NFMC), Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation, and for the Upper Midwest

The International Society for Agricultural Safety and Health held its annual meeting June 24-26 in Omaha, Neb. Several UMASH staff from the National Farm

Jim Lee and Tim Goldsmith gave a presentation and led discussion on the potential for inclusion of worker health and safety training into quality assurance

UMASH attended the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin Business Conference, March 12-13, in Madison. Yurany Ninco Sanchez (left), the National Farm

A new Research Exchange Meeting, sponsored by UMASH was held on May 2, at the University of Minnesota, School of Public Health. The exchange featured researchers

Carrie Klumb, MPH, Senior Epidemiologist at the Minnesota Department of Health presented a seminar “A One Health Approach to Healthy Fairs”

DECEMBER 2013 Carrie Klumb Senior Epidemiologist, Minnesota Department of Health In this spotlight story, a mother shares her young daughters’ frightening

UMASH personnel were well represented at the November 19-20, 2013 Midwest Regional Agricultural Safety and Health Conference (MRASH) – “The Many

UMASH Project Director, Dr. Peter Davies BVSc, PhD, Professor, Swine Health and Production, Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of

OCTOBER 2013 Carrie Klumb Senior Epidemiologist, Minnesota Department of Health A Stearns County farmer noticed a 5 month-old calf that began showing atypical

The University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) held its annual Points of Pride Research Day on October 2, 2013 to celebrate the CVM’s

UMASH was a sponsoring partner of the North American Agricultural Safety Summit held September 26-28, 2013 in Minneapolis. In addition to hosting the poster

UMASH staff participated in celebrating 100 years of research and outreach activities of the University of Minnesota at the Southern Research and Outreach

UMASH had a strong presence at the Allen D. Leman Swine Conference at the St. Paul River Center on September 16-17, 2013.  Peter Davies, Project Director

Peter Davies, UMASH Project Director, received the award for best overall presentation “Longitudinal study of Staphylococcus. aureus in US swine

Matt Keifer, MD, MPH, Co-Director/Project Director, and Amy Liebman, MPA, MA, Co-Project Director with UMASH were both involved in the 2013 EPA publication

AUGUST 2013 Carrie Klumb Senior Epidemiologist, Minnesota Department of Health Each year, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) tests approximately

The Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Board of Animal Health recently hosted Healthy Fairs Workshops aimed at those putting on county fairs.

Migrant Clinicians Network’s recent webinar demonstrated the link between the workplace and the health of agricultural workers and their families. More

APRIL 2013 Iris Reyes and Teresa Schnetzer While needlestick injuries are usually minor, certain injection related injuries are very serious. Studies have

UMASH Seguridad en Las Lecherias: Immigrant Dairy Worker Health and Safety Project Co-Director, Amy Liebman, MPA, MA, presented “Health and Safety

UMASH was well represented at the MVMA Convention February 7-9, 2013 in downtown Minneapolis with faculty and staff from the Surveillance for Zoonotic

The UMASH in conjunction with the University of Minnesota’s Center for Integrative Leadership and Global Initiative for Food Systems Leadership sponsored

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JANUARY 2013 Carrie Klumb Senior Epidemiologist, Minnesota Department of Health My husband, Ryan, is a third generation dairy farmer with approximately

The National Farm Medicine Center conducted a worksite visit to a Wisconsin farm as part of the Return to Work project. Investigators are developing a

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In November 2012, UMASH staff and faculty attended the Midwest Regional Agricultural Safety and Health (MRASH) Conference in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Center

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  Dr. Bruce Alexander, UMASH Center Director, gave a presentation entitled “One Health, Occupational Health, and the Upper Midwest Agricultural