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UMASH on the Road: Minnesota Organics 2020

UMASH staff traveled to Saint Cloud on January 9-10 for the 2020 Minnesota Organics Conference hosted by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.   Each year, the MDA hosts this conference and trade show for farmers and others interested in organic agriculture for two days of networking, learning, and great food. Megan Schossow spent the time as …

SPOTLIGHT: Produce Safety

JANUARY 2020 Alexandra Cortes, Outreach staff Produce Safety Program, Minnesota Department of Agriculture What comes to mind when you think about the risks in a farm environment? It might be physical hazards such as those associated with certain equipment and tools. What about biological hazards such as E. coli, Salmonella, or Listeria, which can be …

SPOTLIGHT: The American Dairy Farm – A Two Part Series

Dr. Gus Brihn is a Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine Resident with the Center for Animal Health and Food Safety at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Brihn is part of our UMASH team with the Promoting Worker Health and Safety for Immigrant Dairy Workers project and has been instrumental in providing insights of the veterinarian’s role …

Better Together: Collaborations for Mental Health in Rural Areas

The University of Minnesota Alumni Association’s Winter 2020 magazine, Minnesota Alumni, highlighted innovative approaches U of M alumni, students, and faculty are using to improve dental care and mental health support throughout Minnesota. UMASH was featured as a resource for farmers going through stressful times. One UMASH Partner Project in particular …

SPOTLIGHT: The Opioid Crisis – Where Can You Turn for Help?

DECEMBER 2019 Opioid dependency has been and continues to be a problem for many and it does not discriminate. Rural America is not immune to the problems opioids create particularly in the agricultural community. Farming is one of the most dangerous occupations in the country and with that can come the potential for misuse and addiction. Fortunately …

SPOTLIGHT: To Be Safe, You Have to Know How: OSHA QuickCards

DECEMBER 2019 Safety is a big issue on the farm, but with busy days and potential language barriers, how do you discuss farm safety with employees? QuickCards are free laminated cards that offer quick, bulleted talking points about various safety issues. They even tell you exactly how to train workers about safe practices. There are over 50 topics, …

Gear Up for Ag Health & Safety

Ag Health and Safety Alliance came to Minnesota on December 2, 2019, to host their “Gear Up for Ag Health & Safety” program with students at South Central College at their Mankato, MN location. Founder and president, Carolyn Sheridan, had 90 minutes with the college students to cover topics from respiratory protection to mental health in agriculture. …

Faces of UMASH: Meet Ana Contreras Smith!

Hello! My name is Ana Contreras Smith. I joined the UMASH team in July as the Dairy Safety Trainer for the Promoting Safety and Health for Immigrant Dairy Workers program. I have been working in agricultural industry mostly with dairy producers since graduating from the University of Minnesota. When I first started working in the industry I quickly …

A Centennial Celebration: Minnesota Farm Bureau

Megan Schossow and Maria Bertrand attended this year’s Minnesota Farm Bureau (MFB) Annual Meeting on Friday, November 22nd in Bloomington, Minnesota. The annual meeting involves MFB delegate voting, exhibitor displays, award ceremonies, panels with commissioners and policymakers, and other meetings and discussions. Megan and Maria participated in …