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Farm Safety Check: Safety for Working Youth

Children, teens, and adults working on farms face hazards not encountered in other jobs. Youth doing work that doesn’t match their developmental level and abilities increases the risk of injury. Use these guidelines to help determine if a youth is ready to perform a job and learn about hazards and keeping working youth safe.  …

SPOTLIGHT: Grain Bin Cost Share

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 bin safety has been the subject of much discussion during the past few years and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is leading an effort to make safety more affordable. A new cost share program …

SPOTLIGHT: The UMASH Expo Lives On!

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. But wait! You can continue experiencing the farm show. With the virtual nature of the UMASH Online Expo: A 20/20 Look at Ag Health, Safety, and Wellness, you can relive the glory days all over again. …

Staying Safe and Staying in Business: a Farmfest Panel

AUGUST 2020 “We’ve transitioned the event online” seems to be the norm for the time being. This year, Minnesota Farmfest moved their programming online. UMASH and the Minnesota Safety Council co-hosted a panel on August 4, 2020, Staying Safe and Staying in Business, to launch the three days of live programming. There are many risks on the farm- …

Taking it to the Web: UMASH Online Expo

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 to an in person, live event. As the pandemic continues to affect our daily lives and with many farm shows canceling this year, UMASH felt it was more important than ever to provide health and safety …

SPOTLIGHT: ATV’s and the Pandemic

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 a way that prevents injuries and fatalities. This is especially true when youth are operating the machine. Our partners at the National Farm Medicine Center recently shared a press release highlighting …

SPOTLIGHT: Farm Shows and Freebies – Something New in 2020

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 this summer, the freebies have disappeared too. The good news is that UMASH is going online to provide ag safety, health and wellness information as a commitment to farmers and families in the …

SPOTLIGHT: Allow Me To Demonstrate

JULY 2020 Demonstrations can be an effective method of both teaching and learning. In addition to reading and hearing information, seeing and practicing can help one understand even better. In an effort to keep farmers up to date with safety and health information, UMASH is going online with the help and expertise of a number of organizations. The UMASH …

Aging on the Farm: Listening to North Dakota and Minnesota Communities

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 based forums addressing the many factors affecting farmers, who are currently or considering information to age in place safely on the farm. The forum was well attended with over 60 participants. Dr. …

UMASH Director Jeff Bender Ensures Safe Farming Practices During COVID-19

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 and planning how to keep workplaces healthy. UMASH Director Jeff Bender was recently invited to speak to human resources employees from Land O’Lakes and the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives …