JULY 2023
The Telling the Story Project team was at the International Society for Agricultural Safety and Health (ISASH) in Tampa, Florida in June 2023. The team led a workshop called Taking Telling the Story to the Next Level.
PRESENTERS:
- Melissa Ploeckelman, Outreach Specialist, National Farm Medicine Center (NFMC) and member of UMASH outreach team
- Scott Heiberger, Communications Manager, NFMC and member of UMASH outreach team
- Ellen Duysen, Coordinator and Outreach Specialist, Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH)
- Aaron Yoder, Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and CS-CASH
- Risto Rautianen, CS-CASH Director and Professor, Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health at UNMC
Tell a story, save a life…
This team shared with attendees about engaging with storytellers, crafting an injury prevention message, interviewing techniques, journalistic writing, and more. The purpose of the workshop was to encourage others to find, write, and share stories with an injury prevention message, or “tell a story, save a life.” Attendees were highly engaged and participated in activities like a brainstorming “snowball fight” and a photo scavenger hunt.
Workshop attendees participate in a “snowball fight”
When asked what was most valuable about the workshop, attendees shared:
“Practical suggestions of the use of storytelling as ag health and safety interventions.”
“Talking through real life scenarios together. Learning from other’s experiences.”
“Practical suggestions of the use of storytelling as ag health and safety interventions.”
“Talking through real life scenarios together. Learning from other’s experiences.”
“Learning more about how to engage stakeholders in sharing their stories, while respecting their boundaries, approaching difficult topics sensitively, and keeping focus on the purpose of the storytelling.”
“Learning more about how to engage stakeholders in sharing their stories, while respecting their boundaries, approaching difficult topics sensitively, and keeping focus on the purpose of the storytelling.”
The Telling the Story Project
The Telling the Story Project is creating injury prevention messages that highlight personal stories and first-hand experiences.
Who are the storytellers? Farmers, agricultural workers, and family and community members who’ve been impacted by injuries, fatalities, or close calls. Told in their own words, their experiences provide valuable information to learn what went wrong and how to prevent similar incidents.
The common thread is “We don’t want this to happen to anyone else.”
Caleb, Brad, Susan, Mike, and many more courageously share their stories on the Telling the Story Project website. Discussion guides are also available for some of the stories for use by educators, 4-H and FFA leaders, managers, and others looking for positive ways to start a conversation about safety.
Share these stories, and your own, to save a life.
READ THE STORIES