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SPOTLIGHT: Safer FACEs Online Training Program for Agritourism Venues

UPDATED MARCH 2021 In January 2018, the Minnesota Department of Health launched Safer Farm Animal Contact Exhibits (Safer FACEs), a training program for agritourism venues. The free, web-based, at-your-own-pace training offers an opportunity for owners and staff of these operations to learn how to keep visitors safe from illnesses that can spread from …

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 …

Don’t Kiss the Calves

AUGUST 2020 Dr. Jeff Bender was one of the featured speakers on the August 26, 2020 episode of The Dairy Signal™, a live streamed event hosted by the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin. The Dairy Signal™, is a free online resource providing dairy farmers insights for informed decisions. Dr. Bender discussed what types of zoonotic diseases …

Fun on the Farm: Agritourism Workshop

Last week we hosted our sixth Agritourism Workshop in Andover, Minnesota. These workshops are co-hosted by the Minnesota Department of Health Zoonotic Diseases Unit staff, MDH Environmental Health staff, and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. These workshops have been funded by UMASH since 2015 and are provided free of charge for attendees. Topics …

Olmsted County’s New Video Promotes Petting Zoo Set-Up Safety

Petting zoos are a common attraction at fairs, festivals and other events. It is hard to resist picking up a furry friend or letting the baby calf lick your fingers. This can be a risky practice however, when it comes to transmitting bacteria, viruses and disease.  Plan ahead and learn more on the best practices to keep you and your visitors safe and …

Cows Don’t Take Time Off

There is no doubt, owning and operating a dairy farm is a full time job.  The beginning of June kicks off two popular events National Dairy Month and the Stearns County Breakfast on the Farm, which highlights the work that dairy farmers do everyday for consumers here and abroad. UMASH was part of this event for the second year, where guests can visit a working dairy farm, enjoy a hearty breakfast and have fun while learning more about the dairy industry. Breakfast on the Farm is a great example of agritourism, where people not familiar with farming are exposed to the inner workings of this industry and agriculture overall. …

Carrie Klumb Receives 2019 SPH Emerging Leader Award

  Carrie Klumb,  from the Minnesota Department of Health was recently recognized by the School of Public Health and received the 2019 Emerging Leader Award.  Carrie received her Masters in Public Health in 2010 and has been a key contributor to UMASH with research, education and outreach in zoonotic disease.  Zoonotic means infectious diseases …

SPOTLIGHT: Head, Heart, Hands, and Health

UMASH, Minnesota 4-H, and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) joined together to produce two new videos for 4-H clubs on the topics of biosecurity and food safety when exhibiting and working at county fairs. …

Eat your Breakfast (on the Farm)

Breakfast on the Farm is an annual event that draws people from both rural and urban areas to explore the workings of farm production and educate consumers on where food is grown, produced, processed and eventually ends up in the grocery store. …

Agritourism – It’s a new word to many people

UMASH connected with Township Officials across the state at the Minnesota Association of Townships annual meeting on November 16-17, 2017. Visitors to the UMASH booth were asked to complete a 2-question survey about the types of agritourism events occurring in their part of the state. Many people who answered the questions were surprised to learn about …