EMERGING ISSUES | AVIAN INFLUENZA | EVENTS | CONTACT

SPOTLIGHT: Stress & Mental Health

NOVEMBER 2018 When extreme stress manifests as a breaking point, like suicide, agricultural communities face unimaginable tragedy and loss. Stress, depression, and suicide are on the mind of agricultural communities, where economic, social, and environmental forces challenge the health and safety of farmers, agricultural workers and their families. …

Go Big… Go Big Iron

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 area of the Upper Midwest. …

(Safe) Fun in the Sun

Before full-fledged summer activities kicked off, Megan Schossow met with Dr. DeAnn Lazovich, Associate Professor and Researcher at University of Minnesota School of Public Health. This meeting marked the kick off a summer sun safety campaign for UMASH. After consulting Lazovich’s expertise in skin cancer while developing a Sun Safety Checklist and …

UMASH partners with CENTRAC to reach farmers in Central Minnesota

UMASH partnered with the Central Minnesota Trauma Advisory Committee (CENTRAC) to connect with farmers and farm families at the Central Minnesota Farm Show about farm safety and first aid. UMASH safety resources on animal handling, the Farm Safety Checklists, youth work guidelines and safe play areas were available to show attendees in the CENTRAC booth. …

UMASH and Extension – Joining Forces for Women in Agriculture

The third annual Women in Agriculture Network, sponsored by  University of Minnesota Extension, was held February 15, 2018 in St. Cloud, MN.   The theme for the event was “Overcoming Adversity” as today’s farmers face lower commodity prices and economic challenges. The day was divided into 5 areas to address these challenges including: Farm …

Farm Safety Check: Manure Gas

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 air and can collect in both enclosed pits, open air lagoons and low-lying areas such as, ditches, or manholes. Knowing the risks that can occur with manure gas is important for those farms raising animals and for others who may visit your farm. Take time to protect you, your family and others by incorporating basic principles into your manure management plan and check out additional resources listed below. …

UMASH at 2015 Midwest Regional Agricultural Safety and Health (MRASH) Conference

On November 17-18, 2015 UMASH participated in the Midwest Regional Agricultural Safety and Health Conference, held at Decorah, Iowa. This conference included agricultural producers, researchers and other safety and health professionals. UMASH personnel attending included: Joni Sheftel, with a Keynote presentation on “What Can We Learn From the Avian …

New Tractor Safety Program in Minnesota

The Minnesota legislature approved funding for a tractor safety program to help Minnesota farmers add rollover protection to older tractors.  Under this program, Minnesota will now have the nation’s best-funded tractor safety plan. Tractor accidents were the number one cause of death, accounting for more than 1,700 fatalities among U.S. farmworkers …