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SPOTLIGHT: Aging is a Public Health Issue

JUNE 2020 The United States and many communities around the world are “growing older.” With the changes in demographics today and in the future, aging is an increasingly important public health issue. The average age of farmers is approaching 60. Many continue to live and work on the farm well beyond typical retirement age. How can we as a community …

SPOTLIGHT: Aging on the Farm – A Community Forum

JUNE 2020 Aging is part of life and if Benjamin Franklin had his way, none of us would grow old. But we do and with aging comes many changes – physiologically, mentally and sensory. Many of these changes can challenge our safety and health particularly when staying in one’s home. NDSU Extension Service is an educational leader in the area …

SPOTLIGHT: Tick Tock! Time for Tick Awareness

This spotlight features an article from Patrick Wagner, SDSU Extension, with tips on preventing tick bites, as well as resources available on tick prevention, removal, and implications ticks carry with possible disease. …

SPOTLIGHT: What to Do About the Respirator Dilemma During COVID-19

MAY 2020 Producers and farmworkers face a dilemma during COVID-19. If a pesticide label lists a respirator, the applicator must wear a respirator. It’s legally required. So what does the farmer or farmworker do when the respirator isn’t available? To answer this question, we contacted experts at the National Pesticide Safety Education Center (NPSEC) …

SPOTLIGHT: Safety Should be a Team Sport in Dairies

MAY 2020 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 …

SPOTLIGHT: You’re in Charge

MAY 2020 The University of Minnesota’s Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing is working to address the needs of communities during these challenging times.  You’re in Charge Maria Bertrand UMASH Student Communications Specialist You are greeted with a colorful 6-pronged wheel. “Enhance your wellbeing,” it says. The wheel is divided …

SPOTLIGHT: Ag Educators Keep our Future Farmers Safe

MAY 2020 The current pandemic has required agricultural educators to be more creative than ever. To assist with teaching about agricultural safety and health during the age of online learning, we’ve created lesson plans, resources, and tips on a variety of agricultural safety and health topics at www.umash.umn.edu/AgEd. 2020 FFA Infographic This infographic …

SPOTLIGHT: Protecting our Agriculture Workers is “Essential”

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical importance of those who produce our food. Deemed “essential” workers, these individuals continue to milk our cows, process our meat, plant our crops and harvest of our food. They do this while many of us have switched to a virtual, online world from the classroom to the office. And in many cases their work continues as usual but at great risk. …

SPOTLIGHT: Safe Digging Tips, Myths, & Facts

811 is the national number designated by the Federal Communications Commission to help protect homeowners and professional excavators from unintentionally hitting underground utility lines while working on digging projects – large and small. …