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UMASH – the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center – brings a multidisciplinary approach guided by One Health principles to improve the health and safety of agricultural workers and their families in the Upper Midwest region.
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Explore how UMASH is working to promote health and safety on the farm!

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  • November 20, 2024
    Building Safer, Healthier Farms: From our Backyard to BeyondNOVEMBER 2024  As fall unfolds, UMASH continues to advance agricultural health and safety through outreach, training, and collaboration across the Upper Midwest and beyond. Here’s a recap of how UMASH partnership, events and research is working to build safer, healthier farming communities in our backyard in the Upper Midwest and beyond. Cultivating a Culture of Safety on Dairy Farms UMASH Sponsors Safety Session at Dairy Girl Network National Conference From November 5-7, UMASH Outreach Director Megan Schossow represented UMASH at the Dairy Girl Network’s Forward TogetHER National Conference in Kansas City, Missouri. Sponsoring the session “Building a Culture of Safety,” UMASH along with farm safety and health partners from Milc Group and the Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy, provided actionable insights to improve safety and health practices in the dairy industry. Partnering with FARM to Bring Safety to Dairies  Schossow also teamed up with David Douphrate, Associate Professor at the Texas A&M University School of Public Health, and the FARM Program in November  to contribute to the Workforce Development (FARM WFD) session. Together, they shared strategies for fostering a culture of safety on dairy farms. The FARM WFD Program, a key initiative of the National Dairy FARM Program, is dedicated to improving HR and safety standards within the dairy industry. By equipping FARM Program Evaluators with critical knowledge and tools, the program works to support dairy producers in enhancing their safety practices and overall workforce development. LEARN MORE HERE Collaboration for Safer Swine Production Gaining and Sharing Insights  From October 15-16, UMASH’s Center Director Dr. Jeff Bender, Outreach Director Megan Schossow, and NIOSH Ag Health and Safety program leadership, Dr. Jennifer Lincoln and Dr. John Gibbins, attended a Swine Safety Roundtable at the National Pork Board Office in Des Moines, Iowa. Associate Director Amy Liebman joined virtually to facilitate a discussion on heat stress standards for workers. The group, which included representatives from Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America (ASHCA) and pork producers, discussed critical issues like worker safety, heat stress management, and enhancing research and safety training, exchanging insights and strategies to improve health and safety in the swine industry. Sharing critical insights with pork producers across the Upper Midwest, UMASH research project team members (Factors influencing transmission of airborne viruses and bacteria in animal agriculture)  attended the Allen D. Leman Swine Conference in St. Paul, Minnesota, from September 21-24. The team highlighted their latest findings on airborne virus transmission in swine facilities, sparking discussions on the essential occupational health and safety measures needed to protect swine workers and reduce exposure risks. One Health In Action UMASH Showcases One Health Initiatives at National Events Hosted in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for the second time since 1971, the American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting welcomed public health professionals, students, faculty, and staff to network and discuss the latest discoveries in public health from October 27-30. UMASH Center Director Dr. Jeff Bender was featured as a presenter in a collaborative session around One Health and how a culturally responsive One Health framework can advance safety on Upper Midwest dairy farms. Other UMASH attendees included Associate Director Amy Liebman and Outreach Director Megan Schossow. On November 1, Dr. Jeff Bender delivered a keynote at the University of Kentucky’s One Health Symposium in Lexington, hosted by the new One Health Center at the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, under Dr. Reddy Palli’s leadership. Speaking on “One Health, One Vision,” Dr. Bender engaged over 100 attendees, discussing the role of partnerships in fostering safer, healthier communities and emphasizing UMASH’s collaborative approach to One Health. Training, Connecting and Innovating for Agricultural Safety and Health Ag Rescue Ready: Hands-On Training for Emergency Preparedness Seventy-eight participants gathered in Marshfield, Wisconsin, from October 25-26 for an Ag Rescue Training Event led by the National Farm Medicine Center and partners like Pittsville Fire Co. and Marshfield Clinic Health System. Farmers, first responders, and health professionals engaged in live demonstrations and hands-on workshops focused on tractor rollovers, large animal rescues, grain bin and confined space rescues, and more. The event also included Rural firefighters delivering ag safety and health (RF-DASH) training, providing essential skills to strengthen emergency preparedness and safety on farms. Exchanging and Engaging for Safer Agritourism  On October 27, Outreach Director and Center Coordinator Megan Schossow visited Duluth, MN, to attend The Agritourism Exchange: a networking event for agritourism farmers with representatives from the Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Department of Agriculture (including Minnesota Grown), Minnesota Farmers Union, Sustainable Farming Association, and UMASH to share valuable resources and insights about safety and health practices when conducting agritourism activities. Making Messages Matter in Farm Safety and Health UMASH staff and researchers gathered in Ames, Iowa, from November 6-8, 2024, for the Midwest Rural Agricultural Safety and Health Conference (MRASH). Centered around the theme “Messaging Matters,” this year’s conference highlighted effective communication in agricultural safety and health. UMASH representatives participated in discussions on ag media, generative AI, and communicating agricultural exposures, and presented recent UMASH research and projects. Connecting Telling the Story Project to Classrooms, UMASH Communications Manager and Evaluation Specialist Cassie Edlund connected with students from the University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) in Agricultural Education, Communication, and Marketing in October. In the classroom, Cassie discussed how storytelling can be used to share injury prevention messages. Leading the group in an interactive activity, Cassie guided students in crafting headlines and leads for Telling the Story project stories for agricultural media, which will be used as part of their course assignment. Talking the Trade with Media  In November, Scott Heiberger and Melissa Ploeckelman from the National Farm Medicine Center traveled to Kansas City for the National Association of Farm Broadcasters Annual Convention. During the event’s Trade Talk session, they hosted an exhibit table to discuss key farm safety and health topics, including youth mental health on farms and H5N1 (avian flu), with radio and television ag media broadcasters. Empowering and Celebrating Ag Safety and Health Advocates UMASH and NFMC at the National FFA Convention On October 23, 2024, UMASH and National Farm Medicine Center (NFMC) representatives Scott Heiberger and Melissa Ploeckelman attended the 97th annual National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. Nearly 1,000 students and advisors visited the NFMC booth, where “farm safety jeopardy” sparked discussions and resource sharing on agricultural safety. Attendees also had the chance to complete a farm safety survey, helping NFMC and UMASH gather valuable insights on youth’s farm safety and health experiences. UMASH Team Highlights Congratulations to UMASH Evaluation Director Dr. John LaVelle for receiving a Presidential Award from the American Evaluation Association (AEA) at its annual conference in Portland, Oregon, held October 21-26. This award honors evaluators committed to “amplifying and empowering voices,” particularly for youth and underrepresented groups. Dr. LaVelle and University of Minnesota Evaluation Studies doctoral candidate Paida Chikate were recognized for their impactful work in this field.   [...] READ MORE
  • October 10, 2024
    Promoting Farm Safety and Health Through the SeasonsOCTOBER 2024  As summer transitions to fall, the UMASH team continues to promote the health and safety of farmers and their families throughout the changing seasons. Catch up on our recent activities from August and September, as the UMASH team supports agricultural communities in navigating seasons of change.  UMASH Team On the Move: Sharing Health and Safety Near, Far, and Wide UMASH Wellness Pavilion Leads the Way in Living Healthy and Farming Safely at Minnesota Farmfest 2024 For the sixth year, on August 6-8, 2024, UMASH hosted the UMASH Wellness Pavilion at Minnesota Farmfest, the largest farm show in Minnesota. Hosted on the Gilfillan Estate in Redwood County, Minnesota, this event attracts thousands of farmers, workers, families, state and local officials, and community members from across the region. The UMASH Wellness Pavilion provided valuable safety, health, and injury prevention resources for farmers, farmworkers, and families with hands-on activities, blood pressure screenings, live farm safety and rescue demonstrations, and a “new to 2024” Family Wellness Area to encourage learning and conversation about Living Healthy, Farming Safely. Read more about the UMASH Wellness Pavilion at MN Farmfest 2024.  Progressing Farmer Safety and Health at Farm Progress Show 2024 UMASH also participated in the 2024 Farm Progress Show this summer in Boone, IA, one of the largest agricultural events in the U.S. In the Health and Safety tent, UMASH Outreach Director and Center Coordinator Megan Schossow engaged with attendees, sharing vital health and safety resources. Collaborating with partners like the Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health, who organized the tent, along with the National Farm Medicine Center and Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health, UMASH connected with numerous attendees and shared valuable insights to support the agricultural community. Sharing Safety and Health Insights  In September, UMASH Director Dr. Jeff Bender traveled to the University of Alberta, Canada, to present the J.G. O’Donoghue Memorial Lecture, a lecture series established in 1981 featuring outstanding veterinarians and scientists. Dr. Bender’s talk, titled “Farm Safety and Health is a Team Sport,” focused on promoting worker health and safety in agriculture through a holistic, team-based approach. During September, Dr. Bender was also featured as a presenter for the Marshfield Clinic Research Institute Scientific Seminar to discuss zoonotic influenza and its impact on agricultural communities. UMASH Associate Director and Migrant Clinicians Network Chief Program Officer Amy Liebman addressed the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists in September, highlighting the health and safety challenges faced by immigrant dairy workers. Her presentation underscored the need for culturally contextual outreach to effectively engage these communities and provide them with necessary resources and support. Harvesting Health and Safety National Farm Safety and Health Week Fall harvest can be one of the busiest and most dangerous times of the year for those in agriculture. That’s why the third week of September is designated as National Farm Safety and Health Week. This year, UMASH collaborated to put together a promotional toolkit to help promote U.S. Ag Center safety and health resources, encouraging cross-center collaboration throughout the 2024 campaign. Think, Do, Teach – National Teach Ag Day In September, UMASH also celebrated National Teach Ag Day on September 19, a special occasion dedicated to promoting agricultural education and recognizing the important role of agricultural educators in our schools and communities. UMASH and the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety (NCCRAHS) are committed to working with agricultural educators on the importance of teaching safety and health on the farm. For the sixth year, UMASH and NCCRAHS connected with future agriculture leaders at the 2023 FFA National Convention. Surveying over 900 students and 150 adults, this year’s survey focused on understanding attendees’ past training, beliefs about farm safety, and confidence in reducing farm injury risks. Celebrating Excellence in Agricultural Safety and Health Commemorating Hispanic/Latine Heritage Month with Farm Justice Legacy Awards In September, Associate Director of UMASH and Director, Chief Program Officer At Migrant Clinicians Network, Amy Liebman was honored with the Farm Worker Justice 24th annual Legacy award. Receiving the Shelley Davis Humanitarian Award, Liebman was awarded as a Farmworker Champion for her work improving the safety and health of migrant workers and their families.  UMASH Team Highlights Join us in congratulating Dr. Casper Bendixsen, Director of the National Farm Medicine Center and Associate Director of Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center for being named to the board of Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America (ASHCA), a coalition of organizations, businesses, federal agencies and safety professionals all seeking to improve the health and safety of farmers, ranchers and agricultural workers.  UMASH researcher Dr. Noelle Noyes, DVM, PhD, has received a 5-year, $3.6 million grant from the NIH Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease to develop a crucial tool against antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a major global public health threat.   Explore the Latest Resources and Publications from UMASH New Case Studies Profile Series on Farmer Mental Health UMASH research project teams (Identifying individual and contextual determinants underpinning farmers’ help-seeking behaviors and their role in shaping mental health outcomes) have developed case studies across the project’s six study counties across Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin to look at each county’s social, economic, health, and healthcare factors to better understand how farmers seek mental health support.  The Use of Injury and Fatality Narratives to Convey Agricultural Safety and Health Messages and to Develop Effective Resources Through Collaborative, Multi-Disciplinary Approaches (Tell a Story, Save a Life) Journal of AgroMedicine – Melissa Ploeckelman, Scott Heiberger, Risto Rautiainen, Anthony Johnson, Devon Charlier, Aaron Yoder, Ellen Duysen Learning from graduate students’ non-formal evaluation experiences in university-based centers Journal of Evaluation and Program Planning –  Devon Charlier, Suness Hall, Hannah Kinzer, John M. LaVelle [...] READ MORE
  • September 24, 2024
    UMASH Wellness Pavilion Leads the Way in Living Healthy and Farming Safely at Minnesota Farmfest 2024SEPTEMBER 2024 For the sixth year, on August 6-8, 2024, UMASH hosted the UMASH Wellness Pavilion at Minnesota Farmfest, the largest farm show in Minnesota. Hosted on the Gilfillan Estate in Redwood County, Minnesota, this event attracts thousands of farmers, workers, families, state and local officials, and community members from across the region. The UMASH Wellness Pavilion provides valuable safety, health, and injury prevention resources for farmers, farmworkers, and families with hands-on activities, blood pressure screenings, live farm safety and rescue demonstrations, and a “new to 2024” Family Wellness Area to encourage learning and conversation about Living Healthy, Farming Safely.  Health and Safety Hub, All Under One Tent Bringing together national health and safety partners from across the nation, the pavilion offered valuable resources and demonstrations on topics such as farm and occupational safety, mental health, healthy living, roadway safety, and many other topics. Joined by over 20 other national, regional, and local partners, over 4,400 attendees visited the Wellness Pavilion to learn about and engage with topics ranging from grain bin safety, mental health, healthy living, youth and family safety on the farm, roadway safety, and more. In collaboration with sponsors, exhibit partners, and experts, UMASH presented ag safety and rescue demonstrations about ATV/UTV safety, Emergency Harvest, and Adaptive Equipment. CentraCare also offered free blood pressure screenings in the Wellness Pavilion. New to 2024! Family Wellness Area and Interactive Safety Zone    A new highlight of the pavilion this year was UMASH’s new Family Wellness Area that featured fun, safe family activities, including shade, water, youth farm safety activity books, a lactation room provided by the City of Marshall and a safety zone space presented by the Central States Center, Great Plains Center and Progressive Agriculture Safety Days. The Safety Zone drew nearly 700 attendees to the Pavilion as they engaged in hands-on activities to learn about sun safety, hearing protection, ATV/UTV safety and grain bin safety while earning a sporty bucket hat and PAF backpack. Together, Wellness Pavilion exhibitors distributed 5,200+ safety and health resources and giveaways to Farmfest attendees! Thank you to our sponsors, supporters, and other partners who worked with us to help keep farmers, farmworkers, and families safe, healthy, and injury-free. Download the Farmfest thank you flyer. [...] READ MORE
  • September 4, 2024
    And the Survey Says… FFA’ers share their thoughts on farm safetySEPTEMBER 2024 FFA’ers share their farm safety knowledge, experiences, and beliefs at the 2023 FFA National Convention For the sixth year, UMASH and the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety connected with future agriculture leaders at the 2023 FFA National Convention. Surveying over 900 students and 150 adults, this year’s survey focused on understanding attendees’ past training, beliefs about farm safety, and confidence in reducing farm injury risks.     While 3 in 4 attendees believed injuries would happen no matter what, 80% believed their actions can help avoid injuries.    Looking for Education Resources? UMASH has several educator resources on our website that are free for curriculum development or activities to promote farm safety in the classroom. Please contact UMASH if you have any questions or need more information: umash@umn.edu     [...] READ MORE
  • August 26, 2024
    Connecting, Learning, and GrowingAUGUST 2024 At UMASH, our goal to improve agricultural safety and health is fueled by meaningful connections, continuous learning, and growth. This summer, our team has collaborated with different agricultural groups across industries, attended international conferences, and shared insights at local safety events to help improve farm safety, health, and well-being across the Upper Midwest. Catch up on updates including new faces on our UMASH team and recent activities from June and July. New Faces at UMASH The UMASH team has been growing! Earlier this summer, UMASH had the pleasure of welcoming two new members to the UMASH team.  Connecting with Ag Safety Experts Across the Globe at ISASH 2024   In June, UMASH staff and researchers headed to Portland, Oregon, for the 2024 International Society for Agricultural Safety & Health (ISASH) annual conference. This international event provided an excellent platform for networking with agricultural safety professionals and exchanging ideas aimed at enhancing occupational safety across the globe. Highlights from the conference included UMASH Director Dr. Jeff Bender’s compelling presentation on the global impacts of avian influenza. Outreach Specialist Melissa Plockelman also showcased the Telling the Story project, emphasizing the power of storytelling in sharing crucial injury prevention messages within the agricultural sector. LEARN MORE HERE Advancing Dairy Safety with FARM Workforce Development Last month, UMASH collaborated with FARM to contribute to their Workforce Development (FARM WFD) session. Dr. Jeff Bender, Megan Schossow, and Cassie Edlund presented on essential topics, including positive dairy animal handling practices, needlestick and sharp safety, and fostering a safety culture on farms. Discussing Influenza Impacts on Swine Industry On June 27, UMASH, in collaboration with the Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America (ASHCA) and the National Pork Board, facilitated a virtual discussion titled “Potential Influenza Impacts on Swine Industry Workforce.” This informative webinar featured experts from Texas A&M School of Public Health and Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, focusing on the current HPAI H5N1 outbreak and its implications for the swine industry workforce. The session provided valuable insights into biosecurity and worker safety guidelines.  WATCH WEBINAR RECORDING HERE Sharing Safety Insights with Ag Cooperative Safety Directors of MN In July, UMASH Director Dr. Jeff Bender addressed the Minnesota Agricultural Coop Safety Directors Quarterly Meeting in Spicer, Minnesota. His presentation, “Safety in a Team Sport,” highlighted the importance of a robust safety culture within agricultural cooperatives. Dr. Bender shared effective strategies for managing risks and fostering a team-based approach to health and safety, aiming to enhance safety practices across cooperative settings. LEARN MORE HERE Global Health Seed Grants: Congratulations to UMASH’s Dr. Noelle Noyes! We are thrilled to announce that UMASH researcher Noelle Noyes, DVM, PhD, has been awarded a 2024 Global Health Seed Grant by the Center for Global Health and Social Responsibility (CGHSR). Dr. Noyes’s project, “Harnessing Bacterial Genomics to Monitor Heavy Metal Pollution in the Andean Mountain Grasslands of Peru,” will benefit from $25,000 in funding. This grant supports research that fosters international partnerships and sustainable global health solutions.   [...] READ MORE
  • July 31, 2024
    Lights, Camera, Action for Ag Safety and Health!For the fourth year running, UMASH teams up with University of Minnesota students. These College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) Agricultural Education, Communication and Marketing students create short, impactful public service announcements (PSAs) focused on farm safety and health. Agriculture can be a dangerous job, but farm injuries, illness, disease, and fatalities on the farm can be prevented. Working around hazards like grain bins, ATVs, heavy machinery, and chemicals poses serious risks, some of which can be life-threatening or even fatal. Farmers and workers can also face other dangers that may not be as obvious, including zoonotic disease and stress/mental health concerns. One effective way to spread awareness and empower individuals is through short, attention-grabbing videos. Continuing the project for its fourth year, UMASH partnered with Dr. Troy McKay to organize a PSA contest for students enrolled in Advanced Video Production for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment (AECM 4432), a course is part of the Agricultural Education, Communications, and Marketing program within the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) at the University of Minnesota. For the contest, students create one-minute PSAs that serve as engaging and educational tools to raise awareness and empower individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to prevent injuries and illness on the farm. Guided by UMASH’s expertise and Dr. McKay’s mentorship, students channeled their creativity and put their media skills to the test to advocate for a safer and healthier future for agriculture. Student participants focused on topics like farm equipment safety, rural roadway safety, mental health, and more. “I really liked this video contest. I think the principles behind it were empowering, and I felt I was serving a greater purpose,” said one student participant, highlighting the impact of the real-world application of safety and health messaging in media. Another shared, “I think sharing information on this topic is important, so it felt that my video is making an impact!” Two videos were recognized as contest winners and received a University of Minnesota bookstore gift card and a feature in UMASH communications channels. [...] READ MORE
  • June 18, 2024
    Partnering for Progress in Agricultural Safety and HealthAt UMASH, collaboration is at the heart of what we do. Catch up on how UMASH is partnering to promote the health and safety of farmers, workers, and their families around topics like cannabis at work, emergency medical services, grain bin safety, and needlestick injury prevention. [...] READ MORE
  • May 30, 2024
    Innovating for Agricultural Safety: Highlights from UMASH’s Spring 2024 GatheringAt UMASH’s 2024 Spring Center Meeting, UMASH researchers and staff gathered at Lake Elmo Park Reserve to share project updates, discuss new challenges, and strengthen partnerships to improve safety and health in the Upper Midwest. Joined by guest speaker Paul Aasen, CEO of the Minnesota Safety Council and UMASH Advisory Board Member, attendees networked, exchanged updates, shared successes, and brainstormed strategies to address emerging issues together. [...] READ MORE
  • May 7, 2024
    Health Meets Harvest: Empowering Mayo Med Students in Ag MedicineUMASH, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, and Zumbro Valley Medical Society teamed up to create an agricultural and rural medicine elective for medical students. This course, led by Dr. Steven Kirkhorn and Dr. Jonathan Kirsch, addressed rural healthcare, including agricultural and migrant worker health, to help prepare future physicians serving rural communities. [...] READ MORE
  • April 26, 2024
    Springing into Action for Ag Health and SafetySpring has sprung, and as farms are busy and in action with planting season underway, so is our UMASH team. From welcoming new faces, to raising agricultural safety awareness, catch up on what UMASH researchers and staff have been doing to help farmers, workers, and families stay safe and healthy this spring and all season long. [...] READ MORE
  • April 3, 2024
    Safeguard your farm: Protect you and your livestock from HPAIHighly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), also known as “bird flu,” is a serious, highly contagious disease that is often fatal to chickens and turkeys. To prepare for the possible infection of flocks in the Upper Midwest, UMASH has prepared a toolkit to help poultry farmers enhance prevention with biosecurity protocols, identify the signs and symptoms of HPAI in birds, and stay connected to additional resources from USDA – APHIS and state departments of agriculture. [...] READ MORE
  • March 20, 2024
    Off-Road Ready: ATV/UTV Safety for Every RideWhile ATVs and UTVs can be enjoyable to drive and practical for work, the thrill of riding can turn dangerous, even deadly, if not handled with caution. Use these ATV and UTV safety tips to get off-road ready and gear up for a safe ride every time. [...] READ MORE

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The center is a collaboration of the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and College of Veterinary Medicine, the National Farm Medicine Center of the Marshfield Clinic with the Migrant Clinicians Network, and the Minnesota Department of Health. This collaboration brings together unique and complimentary expertise to address existing and emerging occupational health and safety issues in agriculture.

  • University of Minnesota School of Public Health
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  • University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine
  • Minnesota Department of Health
  • Migrant Clinicians Network

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