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SPOTLIGHT: UMASH turns 10

SPOTLIGHT: UMASH turns 10

NOVEMBER 2021

Time does not change us. It just unfolds us.

— Max Frisch (1911 - 1991), Swiss playwright and novelist

 

UMASH is celebrating a milestone this year by turning ten.

As we have “unfolded” over the years we have developed relationships with our colleagues in the agricultural community. These ties have been so beneficial to us by sharing and learning from one another, all in a combined effort to improve the health and safety of the farmers, farm families and farm workers we serve.

We asked a few of our partners to share their thoughts on UMASH turning ten and reflect on how we have grown as a center. Looking from the outside in, our partners have shared their thoughts on who we were, who we are and where we are going.

TEN YEARS OF PARTNERSHIPS

Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH)

“I have witnessed UMASH evolve from a fresh-faced, new NIOSH Agricultural Center into a robust, impactful, innovative Center of Excellence. UMASH has led the way in addressing many emerging issues over the past 10 years and I look forward to seeing what wonderful research and outreach will emerge from this Center in the next 10 years!”  –  Ellen Duysen, MPH, COHC, Coordinator

FROM THE ARCHIVES…

AgriSafe Network

“Like all of our great NIOSH Ag Centers, UMASH has built a tradition of responding to the dynamic needs of the agricultural community. Their work to assess and evaluate issues in their region and to supply evidence-based safety and health information for producers and agricultural related businesses saves lives. One of the greatest strengths of UMASH is a remarkable staff that bring varied experience and knowledge to the program. By cultivating relationships, UMASH has become a strong partner and collaborator with many organizations that serve our rural workforce and their families. They truly could display a logo and banner that emphasizes “we are better together!”. In addition, their caring staff members are so enjoyable to work with on programs and projects. The AgriSafe team is grateful to consider UMASH an integral part of our circle of expertise!”

FROM THE ARCHIVES…

Hispanic Advocacy and Community Empowerment through Research (HACER)

“As a Latine immigrant in Minnesota, I appreciate UMASH’s collaborative approach towards building partnerships and its intentionality towards deepening those relationships, particularly when learning about and engaging culturally diverse agricultural workers. When it comes to this worker population, UMASH has been ahead of the curve designing initiatives focused on building trust and making these workers feel “seen”: making space for them to share their experiences with a wider audience; empowering them to train their peers; or talking about their mental health consistently when no one else was doing so.”  –  Mónica Cruz-Zorrilla, Associate Director

FROM THE ARCHIVES…

TEN YEARS OF TACKLING ISSUES

For ten years, UMASH has been “promoting healthy and safe people in sustainable agriculture in the Upper Midwest” through research, community engagement and outreach, and cultivating partnerships with others in agriculture, health and safety, education, and government and community leadership.  Together with our partners, we have worked to raise awareness of agricultural  health and safety for farmers, farm workers, and their families, addressing a variety of existing and emerging issues.

Ag Educator Resources
Lesson plans, calendars, awareness events and additional resources to integrate health and safety topics into the classroom in a teacher friendly format.
Ag Educator Resources
Ag Educator Resources
Aging on the Farm
Many farmers continue to live and work on the farm well beyond typical retirement age. How as a community can we support the health and safety of aging farmers, and farm families?
Aging on the Farm
Aging on the Farm
Agritourism
Protecting the health and safety of farm visitors is important for both the visitors and for farms hosting these events.
Agritourism
Agritourism
Stress and Mental Health
Stress, suicide, and mental health conditions impact agricultural communities, where economic, social, and environmental forces challenge the health and safety of farmers.
Stress and Mental Health
Stress and Mental Health
Needlestick Prevention
Needlestick injuries in agriculture are a common and very real risk for farmers, ranchers, veterinarians and on site workers.
Needlestick Prevention
Needlestick Prevention
Immigrant Dairy Worker Training
Seguridad en las lecherías provides FREE on-the-farm health and safety trainings in Spanish for dairy workers to reduce hazards and improve worker knowledge and practices.
Immigrant Dairy Worker Training
Immigrant Dairy Worker Training
Awareness Events
UMASH participates in national, regional, and local events to increase awareness about agricultural safety and health hazards and provide resources for preventing illness and injury.
Awareness Events
Awareness Events
Community Engagement
UMASH engages directly with people affected by and involved in agriculture through seminars, public events, workshops, conferences, and presentations.
Community Engagement
Community Engagement
Women in Agriculture
The Cultivating Resiliency webinar series was designed to help women in these challenging times and connect them with resources to help weather stress.
Women in Agriculture
Women in Agriculture
COVID-19
Resources related to the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine, including answers to frequently asked questions, and best practices for people living and working in agriculture.
COVID-19
COVID-19
Animal Handling
Positive animal handling creates awareness of human/animal interactions and helps keep farmers, farm workers and the animals safe, healthy, and injury free.
Animal Handling
Animal Handling
Farm Safety Check
The UMASH Farm Safety Check is a quick review to identify and fix potential hazards before they cause harm to your family and employees and your bottom line.
Farm Safety Check
Farm Safety Check