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SPOTLIGHT: That’s my advice…

JANUARY 2021 Have you ever been told…”that’s my advice, take it or leave it.”? Many of us have sought advice from a trusted person – maybe a teacher, a relative or a good friend. Or maybe we are the person who has given advice to someone in need. Either way, we want to make sure we are getting or giving the best information or advice as …

SPOTLIGHT: Invisible on the Farm – Bacterial Infections From Animals to People

JANUARY 2021 What images come to mind when you think of hazards on the farm – large tractors, grain bins, ATV’s, chemicals? These are all very visible examples of risks in agriculture. There are invisible risks as well, just as dangerous and life threatening as tractors and grain bins. Farmers and farm workers handling animals are at a greater …

SPOTLIGHT: Using a One Health Approach to Prevent Future Pandemics

JANUARY 2021 An active imagination, paired with a One Health approach, may prevent future pandemics. UMASH’s programs and projects prioritize a One Health approach. This approach creates an intertwining web linking together humans, the environment, and animals. When we alter one, we alter all. UMASH Director Jeff Bender was recently featured in …

SPOTLIGHT: Doing Good: Minnesota Millennial Farmer Fundraises for Farm Safety

JANUARY 2021 “We wanted to do good with our platform,” said Minnesota Millennial Farmer, Zach Johnson, after he and his wife raised $60,000 to prevent grain bin incidents. The Upper Midwest has been a hotspot for tragic grain and silo incidents in recent years. Several incidents kept the topic top of mind for the farm vlogger. Johnson has recently …

SPOTLIGHT: Farm Tools for Women and the Importance of “Hergonomics”

JANUARY 2021 Farming is a dangerous and physically demanding job no matter your gender or body type. Even though women are very capable of running farming equipment, they find themselves at a disadvantage when it comes to these tools. Built with a taller, stronger male farmer in mind, most farming equipment presents a higher risk of injury for women. …

SPOTLIGHT: Coaching Methods to Improve Ag Employee Performance

DECEMBER 2020 A productive and positive work environment is integral to the success of any operation, and understanding how to achieve that is just as important. Luckily there are many resources to help develop the skill sets needed to coach effectively and cultivate a prosperous work environment. Tracey Erickson, a Dairy Field Specialist at the South …

Reminiscing on the UMASH Expo

DECEMBER 2020 In lieu of the usual schedule of summer farm shows, we connected and caught up with the agricultural community at the UMASH Online Expo this year in August. The UMASH Online Expo: A 20/20 Look at Ag Health, Safety and Wellness featured three days of live demos and health and safety talks, which now live on thanks to UMASH Collaborator, …

SPOTLIGHT: Practice Physical Distancing on the Farm

DECEMBER 2020 The recent news is overflowing with the approval and distribution of the COVID -19 vaccine. Coverage of the UPS and FedEx trucks leaving the warehouse, the first people to receive the vaccine and the elated healthcare workers dancing in the street showcase the excitement. It is a welcome sign of hope for what is to come. With all that …

Farm Safety Check: Preventing Building Fires

Fires pose serious threats to the wellbeing of livestock and humans. Farms have many flammable materials, such as pesticides, cobwebs, dust, bedding, hay, straw, paint, fertilizer, and paper. In the winter, additional threats to safety include the physical distance from farms to the closest fire station, poor road conditions, windy conditions that can intensify the fire, heating equipment, rodent bedding, and damaged wires and cords. Given these farm hazards, prevention is key. Take a moment today to save a life tomorrow. …

UMASH’s Best Kept Secret

DECEMBER 2020 UMASH’s best kept secret is a secret no more! In our #UMASHResearchers social media campaign, we highlighted four of our researchers: Pete Raynor PhD, Joni Scheftel DVM MPH, Casper Bendixsen PhD, and Carrie Klumb MPH. The purpose of the social media campaign was to highlight the researchers and the novel, innovative work they do to promote …