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SPOTLIGHT: Living, working on farms increases risk of gastrointestinal illness

MARCH 2020 New study reveals greater levels of infection in people working with livestock Minnesotans who live or work on a farm with livestock and poultry are 8 times more likely to be diagnosed with a gastrointestinal illness than other Minnesotans, according to recently published findings from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Upper …

SPOTLIGHT: Standing up to Save Lives

OSHA and the National Grain and Feed Association (NFGA) are increasing efforts to ensure that people stay safe when working around grain bins. Headed by OSHA, NFGA, and other key organizations, this year’s Grain Safety Stand-Up campaign is held the week of April 13-20. …

SPOTLIGHT: AgriSafe Learning Lab – Learn Your Way

MARCH 2020 Ashley Fey, MPH Program Manager – AgriSafe Network AgriSafe has led distance education innovation in agricultural safety and health for the past 10 years. In partnership with experts from across the country, AgriSafe has accessible and quality content on topics covering a variety of exposures common in agricultural work. AgriSafe launched …

SPOTLIGHT: Agricultural Safety is a “Team Sport”

FEBRUARY 2020 Jeff Bender, DVM, MS Director, Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center Farming is dangerous work and farm workers are at high risk of personal injury. Agricultural workers are eight times more likely to die on the job than other workers. 1 Worker injuries on dairy farms are related to animal handling with cattle, often resulting …

SPOTLIGHT: 10th Annual AgMed Course

The Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH) is proud to announce the 10th anniversary of the Center’s annual Agricultural Health and Safety Course. Designed to examine critical health and safety issues specific to rural and agricultural workers, this course brings together content experts to present materials relevant to those working in health care, public health, education, and safety professions. …

SPOTLIGHT: Michael Pate and Agricultural Safety Education Initiative

JANUARY 2020 Growing up in rural America, agriculture classes and FFA are two avenues that many youth choose to participate in, particularly if they are planning a career in agriculture. UMASH understands the need for a well prepared workforce and one that practices safety and health. Dr. Michael Pate, a colleague from Utah State University and part …

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 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, …