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SPOTLIGHT: Looking for the right tool? UMASH has you covered.

DECEMBER 2020 Ever heard the phrase, “use the right tool for the job?” If you’re in a hands-on occupation, using the right tool is important to do the job right. Farming is an occupation full of opportunities and challenges. Recent years have presented new and old challenges for the agricultural community: low commodity prices, machinery setbacks, …

UMASH at MRASH: A Success!

NOVEMBER 2020 On November 17-20, the Midwest Rural Agricultural Safety and Health Conference (MRASH) brought together safety and health researchers and professionals, health care providers, farmers, and rural advocates all committed to building a safer and healthier agriculture. The theme this year was “Rising to New Challenges,” and the conference …

Two of America’s admired professions. Separate no more.

NOVEMBER 2020 Kyle Koshalek Research Coordinator, National Farm Medicine Center The Rural Firefighters Delivering Agriculture Safety and Health (RF-DASH) program, funded by UMASH, is a training program designed to equip rural fire and EMS personnel with the knowledge and ability to identify hazards and prevent injuries on our local farms. After the …

SPOTLIGHT: Don’t Sacrifice Safety for Speed During Weather Delays

NOVEMBER 2020 Farming has always been a “busy” job and fall harvest is one of the busiest times of the year. Getting the crop out, repairing equipment, livestock chores, milking, moving snow and more are vying for your time. Short cuts and being in a hurry can and do result in injuries and fatalities. It is essential to avoid making permanent mistakes …

SPOTLIGHT: Unique Safety Risks for Women Dairy Farmers

NOVEMBER 2020 Dairy farms have been synonymous with Wisconsin for many years. America’s Dairyland is the tagline appropriately used on vehicle license plates to remind us that the state of Wisconsin is a hub of dairy farms and associated businesses. Women are an integral part of the dairy industry. As with many farm jobs, women face different occupational …

#RuralFarmHealth Twitter Chat: A Success!

One week before National Rural Health Day, UMASH hosted a Twitter chat on Thursday, November 12 about rural healthcare for agricultural communities, broadband access, and farmworker health. Eighteen organizations, farmers, and farm safety and health professionals participated. The purpose of the event was to learn about the unique healthcare challenges of rural farming communities, including producers and agricultural workers, and what we can do to address these challenges. Read the full discussion summary here …

Speaking Silage Safety with Dairy News and Views from ISU

Dairy and silage go hand in hand. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Field Specialist's Fred Hall and Jenn Bentley had a conversation with UMASH’s Megan Schossow about safety while harvesting and working around silage. …

SPOTLIGHT: Hello and Goodbye – Changes Coming to UMASH

This fall we are saying goodbye to Diane Kampa, UMASH Center Coordinator since our beginning in 2011, and later directing the outreach program. Diane has been with the University of Minnesota for over 40 years in the School of Public Health. …