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AgriSafe in Action:

Summer Edition 2020

AgriSafe Welcomes New Total Farmer Health Coaches

As AgriSafe Total Farmer Health (TFH) coaches, Sheila and Cheri will use the TFH approach to address the behavioral health crisis faced by so many in agricultural communities at this time. By leveraging innovative partnerships and their healthcare experience, they are empowering producers to lower the negative impact of stress in their lives and the effect on farming and ranching families. Funded by Farm Credit Services of America, we are delighted to have the expertise that Cheri and Sheila bring to the AgriSafe Network. They join Linda Emanuel and Charlotte Halverson in our efforts to serve agricultural populations across Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, and eastern Kansas.

Sheila Sandubrae Davis is an advanced practice psychiatric nurse based in Jackson, WY. She is a licensed professional counselor with a private practice serving Wyoming. In addition to rural healthcare, Sheila has a strong interest in working with anger management, PTSD, and other disorders. Her work in forensic psychiatry leads her to serve as a well-regarded and trusted consultant to regional incarceration facilities.

Cheri Fast, BSN has put her 30+ years of nursing experience to work providing care and education healthcare professionals in the areas of diabetic management, chronic disease and pain management. With certifications in case management and wound/ostomy care, her organizational and leadership skills are valued in the South Dakota regions she serves.

Distance Learning Opportunity for Nurses

Was your training event cancelled due to COVID-19? We have an easy way for you to earn CNE credits from the comfort of your own home! The Nurse Scholar course provides eighteen hours of training presented in distance learning format utilizing lecture and power point. Continuing nursing education hours (CNE) are provided by Northeast Iowa Community College (Provider #7). Click Here to learn more!

Contact nursescholar@agrisafe.org with any questions.

Continuing Health Education -Opioid Misuse Prevention

Opioid misuse had been identified as a national public health crisis. AgriSafe has developed a series of trainings for health care professionals to help them better respond to the unique and often over-looked needs of people working in agriculture. Continuing Health Professional Education is available for the four specialized webinars through a partnership with the University of Mississippi Medical Center. One hour of continuing education is available for each webinar.

This continuing education opportunity is free to licensed health care providers in the state of Mississippi. For health care providers outside of Mississippi, the continuing education is available for $40 per CE hour. Click here for more information on training topics and continuing education. Questions? Contact Knesha Rose-Davison , Public Health Program Director at 866-312-3002.

Stories from the Field: Veterans

Veterans Working in Agriculture YOUR Story could help another farmer or rancher. To become a Health Champion for Veteran Farmers click here . Questions? Contact Linda Emanuel, RN, Ag Producer and Community Health Nurse at lemanuel@agrisafe.org.

Your Feedback Matters - Determining Training Needs and Skills Gaps in Public Health

The process of prioritizing agriculture public health training is an important AgriSafe objective. I am thankful to join the AgriSafe team as the Senior Workforce Training and Development Specialist. I will apply my education and field experience to evaluate the AgriSafe course offerings and identifying critical industry skills gaps that require attention industry-wide. One of my primary roles will be to build a network of key Ag individuals that can participate in focus groups, provide insight as subject matter experts, and customized training solutions for the agricultural business.

I welcome the opportunity to connect and welcome your ideas. Please let me know if you are willing to be a part of this focus group effort and together we can work to provide a health training plan to success. I can be reached by email ( gparker@agrisafe.org ) or phone (985)-327-1768.

Access COVID-19 Resources, Trainings and More

AgriSafe’s COVID-19 Resource Sharing Spreadsheet collects and organizes the vast amounts of information and resources constantly being brought to the attention of the rural health community into a single document. It is set up to be used as a hub of shareable tools for users. General topics are defined such as Personal Safety, Workplace Safety, Mental Health and Stress, Economics, and Family Resources; each of these topics are then subdivided into categories that define the types of information available (PDF handouts, videos, etc.). In each subcategory there are then direct links to specific resources. Click here to access these resources on the AgriSafe Learning Lab.

Upcoming Events

The Agricultural Health and Safety Course for Medical and Safety Professionals is designed to examine key health and safety issues specific to rural and agricultural workers. Experts will present course material relevant to those working in health care, public health, education, and safety professions.

Course offered by University of Nebraska Medical Center on the following dates: July 14-17, 2020 (live via Zoom)

July 14-Aug 14, 2020 (Online, on-demand)

****Just updated: the course is being offered for free in 2020****

For more information, click here.

ISASH 2020 Virtual Conference, July 8-9

Join us online July 8-9 for the beginning of a summer-long ISASH conference series!

The two-day kickoff will include the annual Business Meeting, awards, an international panel on agriculture during COVID-19, hospitality room and more.

Registration will open July 2 at www.isash.org. Registration fee will be $99 for ISASH members, and $249 for non-members (which will include annual membership). Students can register for the conference for FREE.

For more information, click here.

Save the Date! National Farm Safety & Health Week - September 20-26, 2020

The 2018 data for the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the agricultural sector is still the most dangerous in America with 574 fatalities, or an equivalent of 23.4 deaths per 100,000 workers. Fall harvest time can be one of the busiest and most dangerous seasons of the year for the agriculture industry. For this reason, the third week of September has been recognized as National Farm Safety and Health Week. This annual promotion initiated by the National Safety Council has been proclaimed as such by each sitting U.S. President since Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944. AgriSafe, NECAS and several partners are planning a week of health and safety presentations to make sure our ag workers and operators are safe and well informed! Save the date September 20-26, 2020!