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The Cow is Always Right – La Vaca Siempre Tiene La Razon

UMASH was fortunate to cooperate for a second time with Minnesota Milk Producers (MMPA) at a recent Spanish Dairy Management Workshop.  25 dairy workers from central Minnesota attended for a full day training hosted by MMPA and Elanco.  Monica Cruz Zorrilla from the Mexican Consulate in St. Paul gave an overview of their services and answered many questions from the participants. …

SPOTLIGHT: A Better Way to Return To Work

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 and the farm business. The UMASH-funded project, Facilitating Return to Work for Injured and Ill Animal Agriculture Workers, created a system for clinicians to use when assessing a farmers’ injury or sickness. …

SPOTLIGHT: Pesky Occupations

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 soldiers. Dr. Claudia Munoz-Zanzi, Environmental Health Sciences Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota, set out to lay the groundwork for TBD research and prevention in her UMASH-funded pilot project Tick-borne Disease Risk for Agricultural Workers and their Families in the Midwest. …

Over 67,000 Youth Learn about Farm Safety

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 their Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE) …

Swine & Seasons: How is Air Quality Influenced?

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 they work in. A recent UMASH project, Occupational Hazards in Pork Production Associated with Production Practices, compared swine pen housing and how differences impacted air quality. …

National Hog Farmer Encourages Needlestick Prevention

The National Hog Farmer publication reminded hog producers to use sound practices and protocols when vaccinating or administering medications via sharps.  UMASH ‘s educational materials were featured in the article, stating the purpose and need for safe handling of needles before during and after injections. …

SPOTLIGHT: A Solution to the Silent but Deadly Farm Gases

There are many stories. Stories of farmers with chronic illnesses. Stories of middle aged ag-workers suffering from respiratory issues. Stories of farm families losing their lives to hydrogen sulfide toxins. According to Agrisafe Network Clinical Director Carolyn Sheridan, these stories are happening everywhere and far too often. …

SPOTLIGHT: A Collaborative Effort to Advocate for Safety and Health on Farms

In August 2017, UMASH, the Great Plains Center for Agriculture Health (GPCAH), and the Center States Center for Agriculture Safety and Health (CS-CASH), collaborated at Farm Fest to foster conversations about potential health and safety risks and promote the resources that have come from all three centers. …

SPOTLIGHT: Agritourism

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. Although agritourism events serve as wonderful learning experiences, the interaction between animals and humans can cause disease outbreaks. …

Farm Safety Check: Emergency Preparedness

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 incidents.  A little time planning up front can help you respond quickly and effectively when needed.  Also, be sure to have a training program for new employees and go over your plan annually. …