EMERGING ISSUES | AVIAN INFLUENZA | EVENTS | CONTACT

SPOTLIGHT: Juneteenth: a day for celebration, commemoration, and action

JUNE 2022 (Updated JUNE 2024) Juneteenth is a commemoration of June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in the farthest part of the Confederacy were freed, over two years after the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth is a celebration of emancipation, a recognition of the historical and ongoing injustices against Black people, and a call …

Farm Safety Check: Eye Protection on the Farm

JUNE 2022 Eye injuries can translate into pain, related eye diseases, and loss of time, money, and possibly your eyesight.  Wear proper eye protection where eye protection hazards are apparent. Become acquainted with proper first aid treatment for eye injuries and seek medical attention if there is an eye injury. You and/or your employee(s) can use …

SPOTLIGHT: Take Two – Ag Communications Video Contest for a 2nd year

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 to farm safety and health. VIDEO CONTEST WINNERS: Valerie Sauder – Dairy Handling Safety PSA Valerie Sauder is a senior from Southeast Minnesota, majoring in Agricultural Communication & …

SPOTLIGHT: 25 Years Young: Happy Anniversary to the National Child Agricultural Center!

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 health and safety of agricultural workers and their families. NCCRAHS is now 25 years old! To celebrate NCCRAHS’ 25th year making agriculture safer for children, explore the center’s fantastic resources …

Toward Resilience: UMASH works in agricultural stress

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 in farmers, so that the agricultural community can navigate each turn and season, many of which can bring stressors. Based on community work and engagement, UMASH hosted an annual forum in 2018: …

Catch Your Breath – Respirator Fit Test Training and the Worker Protection Standard

MAY 2022 UMASH partnered with the Extension Pesticide Safety Education (PSEE) Program to offer resources at two events in greater Minnesota.  Commercial applicators, trainers and employees came together in Mankato (April 19) and Willmar (April 20) to learn more about proper fit testing for respirator use and the Worker Protection Standard.   Jolene …

SPOTLIGHT: UMASH Center Director Answers Avian Influenza FAQs

MAY 2022 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), also known as “bird flu,” is a serious, highly contagious disease that is often fatal to chickens and turkeys. As a record outbreak among domestic and wild birds’ spreads across the nation, UMASH Center Director, Dr. Jeff Bender, responded to frequently asked questions in Talking Highly Pathogenic …