FarmSafe Podcast: Recent Episodes
Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health
In the blink of an eye a farm injury can change your life. Sharing stories of events, close-calls, and effective safety strategies can help you identify on farm risks and figure out ways to prevent devastating injuries and illnesses. The Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health presents FarmSafe, a podcast dedicated to sharing stories and tips to help make your work on the farm safer and healthier. Original music for the FarmSafe podcast was written and performed by Ben Schmidt. This work was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as part of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health. The content does not necessarily represent the official views of the CDC or NIOSH.
What does it take to engage farmers in research, education, and innovation? In this episode, we explore the relationships, trust, and collaboration that make agricultural health and safety initiatives successful. From cancer prevention and mental health training to emerging technologies like UAVs for environmental monitoring, our guests share lessons learned about engaging farmers, overcoming barriers, and working together to improve agricultural health and safety across rural communities.
Episode Resources
- Farmer/Rancher Registry, GPCAH
In this episode, we explore what current research tells us about the relationship between farming and cancer in Iowa. Joining the conversation is Caroline Powell of the Iowa Cancer Consortium, who discusses findings from the 2026 Cancer in Iowa report and shares insights from her research on cancer knowledge and prevention in agricultural communities. Together, we examine cancer risks specific to farming, separate fact from speculation, and highlight practical, evidence-based steps farmers and their families can take to reduce cancer risk over a lifetime. Whether you live, work, or care about rural health, this episode provides valuable information to help you make informed decisions about cancer prevention.
Episode Resources
- Cancer in Iowa, 2026 Report, Iowa Cancer Registry
- Agricultural Health Study, NIH
- Iowa Cancer Consortium
- Ag Health 101, GPCAH
In this episode, we explore how drone technology is advancing agricultural health research beyond its traditional uses. Mason McCulley shares his master's research on developing a drone-mounted air monitoring system designed to measure air quality around livestock facilities. The conversation covers the challenges of building and testing the technology, the role of UAVs in collecting three-dimensional air quality data, and the potential for these innovative tools to improve our understanding of agricultural exposures and support healthier farming communities.
Episode Resources
- Iowa Farmers See Promise in Drones, but Express High Levels of Uncertainty About Impacts, Iowa State Extension and Outreach
- Starting with Drone Technology on Your Farm, Integrated Crop Management, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
- How Farmers and Livestock Producers are Using Drones, Another Tool in the Toolbox, Harvest Media [Podcast]
- Agriculture and Air Quality, EPA
- GPCAH Current Research Project: Design and Evaluation of a Control Technology for Dust and Bioaerosol in Swine Buildings
In this episode, we explore how communities can support farmer mental health through peer-to-peer education and outreach. Jonathan Lawrence of the Iowa Farmers Union Education Foundation shares how a Great Plains Center Community Pilot Grant helped train farmers to recognize signs of stress, have supportive conversations, and connect others with professional mental health resources. The discussion highlights the value of Mental Health First Aid, the importance of building trusted community networks, and how simple acts of support can strengthen the health and resilience of rural communities.
Episode Resources
- Iowa Farmers Union, Education Page
- Mental Health First Aid Training, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
- Mental Health Awareness, GPCAH Topic Page
Floods can have devastating impacts on rural communities, affecting families, farms, livestock, crops, and infrastructure. In this episode, Ellen Duysen of the Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health and Carolyn Sheridan of the Ag Health and Safety Alliance discuss lessons learned from the Midwest floods of 2019 and Iowa’s historic flooding in 2024.
The conversation highlights the importance of emergency planning, personal safety, recovery resources, and community support. Listeners will learn practical steps farmers and rural residents can take to prepare for future disasters and protect themselves, their families, and their livelihoods.
Episode Resources
- First Aid Resources, GPCAH Topic Page
- Flood Information, Ready.gov
- Flood Maps, FEMA
- Plan Ahead to Save Lives, Reduce Damage, Press Release by Ellen Duysen
Ticks are becoming a growing concern across the Midwest as species like the Lone Star tick and Asian Longhorned tick expand their range northward. In this episode, FarmSafe explores what that means for both livestock producers and rural communities, with expert insight from Grant Dewell of Iowa State University and Iowa State Public Health Veterinarian Andrew Hennenfent. The conversation highlights how ticks can impact cattle health, the symptoms to watch for, and management strategies.
Episode Resources
- Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases in Iowa, ISU Extension
- Alpha-gal Communication Resources, CDC
- About Alpha-gal Syndrome, CDC
As farmers return to the fields, this FarmSafe episode brings attention to tractor rollover risks. We bring in Aaron Yoder to explain the basics about a vehicle’s center of gravity, which is important to understand both with and without loads. When the weight is balanced, a tractor’s center of gravity is between the front and back axles and between left and right tires. As long as this center of gravity is within this “stability baseline”, the tractor remains upright. Once it shifts outside that boundary, a rollover becomes unavoidable. Our discussion emphasizes how sloping terrain affects rollover risks. Understanding risks, maintaining equipment, and practicing safe operation—especially on slopes—are key to preventing serious injuries.
Episode Resources
- Pre-Operational Checklist, GPCAH
- Information on the NSTMOP Program: Ag Safety Extension Page and Penn State University Page
- Tractor Stability Overview, NSTMOP Program Manual
- Tractor Stability Presentation, NSTMOP
- Testing Tractor Stability Videos, Penn State University
- Used Farm Equipment: Assessing Quality, Safety, and Economics, Small Farm Series, Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering Service
In this episode, FarmSafe sits down with Andrea Swenson, director of the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety, to discuss the newly updated 2025 National Action Plan for Childhood Agricultural Safety. Drawing on her upbringing on a Wisconsin dairy farm and years of professional experience, Swenson explains why agriculture can be both an incredible developmental opportunity for youth and one of the most hazardous environments they may encounter. The conversation explores why the national plan was updated for the first time since 2012, reflecting major shifts in agriculture such as automation, artificial intelligence, climate-related extreme weather, labor shortages, and changing farm structures. Swenson outlines the plan’s seven priority areas: leadership, injury and exposure data, public policy, organizational policy, research, dissemination and implementation, and preparedness for emerging threats.
Episode Resources
- National Action Plan
- Templates for model Farm Safety Policies can be found at
- https://farms.extension.wisc.edu/articles/a-culture-of-farm-safety-starts-with-a-well-written-policy/
- https://agriculturaljusticeproject.org/toolkit/resources/safety/ajp-safety-plan/
In this episode, we explore why tick-borne diseases are becoming an emerging concern across Iowa and the Midwest, particularly for farmers and other outdoor workers. Dr. Kathryn Dalton from the University of Iowa College of Public Health joins the conversation to break down what’s driving these changes and why they matter. As tick populations grow and their active season expands, farmers are facing increased exposure risks simply due to the nature of their work. While there is still much to learn about tick exposure in Midwest farming populations, this episode lays the groundwork for understanding the scope of the issue and why awareness is more important than ever. In the next episode, we’ll take a closer look at prevention strategies, symptoms to watch for, and what to do if you suspect a tick-borne illness.
Episode Resources
- Check Your Body for Ticks, Graphic, GPCAH
- Tick-Borne Disease in Iowa, Iowa State University
- Kathryn Dalton's Tick Study, Webpage
- Tick Study Post Card
In this episode, we continue our conversation on the growing threat of tick-borne diseases for farmers across Iowa and the Midwest. Building on our previous discussion with Dr. Kathryn Dalton from the University of Iowa College of Public Health, this episode focuses on practical steps farmers and outdoor workers can take to reduce their risk of tick-borne disease. Dr. Dalton also discusses the complexity of tick-borne diseases, including co-infections and emerging conditions that can complicate treatment. We will hear about a new research study aimed at better understanding the risks, behaviors, and prevention needs of Midwest farmers. Listeners are invited to participate and contribute to efforts that could improve protection for agricultural communities (link to study included in the resources).
Episode Resources
- Check Your Body for Ticks, Graphic, GPCAH
- Kathryn Dalton's Tick Study, Webpage
- Tick Study Post Card
Jon Davis, a researcher and assistant professor at the University of Iowa’s College of Public Health has released an updated analysis of more than 3,700 farm-related injuries treated in Iowa hospitals between 2017 and 2023, using the state’s uniquely detailed trauma registry. Because Iowa is one of the few states that flags farm-related injuries in hospital data, the report provides a rare, accurate look at how farmers are getting hurt on the job. Davis found the patterns in his most recent report of injury trends remarkably consistent with earlier years, highlighting long-standing hazards that continue to challenge farm safety. Although the data are specific to Iowa, Davis believes these trends likely reflect injury risks in neighboring states with similar livestock and row-crop operations, underscoring the importance of better data systems and targeted prevention efforts to keep farmers safe.
Episode Resources
- Injury Trends for Great Plains Farm Workers, GPCAH, Main Webpage
- Iowa Trauma Registry Ag Surveillance 2017-2023 Report, GPCAH
- 2017-2023 Injury Data: Have the Conversation About Injuries on the Farm, GPCAH, 11x17 Poster
- 2017-2023 Injury Data: Have the Conversation About Injuries on the Farm, GPCAH, 8.5x11 Flyer
In the season five kickoff of the FarmSafe Podcast, host Libby Ritchie and Center Director Renee Anthony, preview a packed year of conversations focused on improving health and safety in agriculture. This season features insights from the American Heart Association and experts from the University of Iowa on child injury prevention, machine safety, and new findings from the Iowa Trauma Registry.
In this episode, Dr. Jenna Gibbs and Libby Ritchie join Lauren Lavin, host of the College of Public Health’s student podcast at the University of Iowa, to explore the realities of pediatric agricultural injuries. They discuss why injuries remain the leading cause of death for Americans ages 1–44, how terminology like “incident” instead of “accident” helps shift the focus toward prevention, and what makes farm environments uniquely challenging for children. Grounded in both research and real farm experience, this episode offers realistic, culturally informed guidance to keep rural kids safe while still allowing them to grow, learn, and contribute.
Episode Resources
- Pediatric Agricultural Injuries: An Interview with Jenna Gibbs, Injury Prevention Research Center, College of Public Health
- Safety Guidelines, Cultivate Safety
- “Accidents” vs Incidents Webpage, Marshfield Clinic Research Institute
Dr. Renee Anthony joins us to unpack new Iowa trauma registry data showing that machine interactions account for roughly a quarter of farm-related hospital visits, more than half of all amputations, and a third of crushing injuries. While PTO shafts remain a well-known hazard, the numbers reveal a wide range of other machinery—combines, grain elevators, conveyors, augers, and even non-ag equipment—sending farmers to the ER. This episode also previews the Great Plains Center’s upcoming three-part Ag Health Academy series, which offers practical, case-based guidance on machine hazards, guarding, and lockout procedures to help farmers recognize risks and prevent life-changing injuries.
Episode Resources
- Ag Health Academy, GPCAH,Home Page
In this episode, Jenn Patterson sits down with Tim Nikolai, Senior Rural Health Director for the American Heart Association’s Midwest region, to discuss why rural communities face higher risks of heart disease and stroke and what can be done to change that. Tim shares how limited access to health care, healthy foods, and physical activity contributes to these disparities, while also highlighting the inspiring ways rural communities are stepping up—through partnerships with libraries, churches, schools, and local organizations—to promote heart health. The conversation explores practical strategies like the American Heart Association’s “Life’s Essential 8,” the importance of prevention, and how small, everyday choices can make a big difference, especially for farmers and rural residents. Tim also outlines opportunities for local partnerships and offers a hopeful vision for building a culture of health where the healthy choice is the easy choice in rural America.
Episode Resources
- Meeting People Where They Are: Improving Health in Collaboration with the Places Where Rural Communities Gather, American Heart Association
- Outpace CVD: A Grant Opportunity for Rural Midwest Health Care Organizations, American Heart Association
- American Heart Month 2026: American Heart Association Toolkit, American Heart Association
- American Heart Association Resources
Have you ever considered podcasting? The current and former FarmSafe hosts from seasons 1-4 are back to chat about what they learned from making the FarmSafe Podcast. They provide tips for interviewing, including fighting off nerves and creating compelling stories. How did we come up with an original goal of 15-minute episodes? What were the hurdles of starting a agricultural safety and health podcast? All will be answered from our hosts in this season 4 finale.
- Season 1 featured Kate Crawford as the first host of the FarmSafe Podcast
- Season 2 featured two hosts, Matison Bentley and Anna Proctor
- Seasons 3 and 4- Libby Ritchie
Omar Ahmad, Deputy Director of the Driving Safety Research Institute at the University of Iowa, discusses his recent project focused on automated driving systems (ADS) in rural America. This episode discusses the challenges of deploying automated vehicles (AVs), particularly in rural areas. Omar highlights issues like software bias towards urban environments, sensor malfunctions in poor weather (especially ice), and difficulty with irregular intersections and high-speed traffic in rural areas. While AVs show promise for safety and mobility in general, this conversation identifies that the technology is not yet ready for widespread autonomous deployment in rural settings.
Episode Resources
Omar Ahmad’s Project page
Traditional roadway hazard study on roadway crashes: Farm vehicle crashes on public roads: Analysis of farm-level factors
Prescribed fire has evolved from ancient, indigenous land care to a modern toolbox in conservation and sustainable agriculture. Mechanization and chemical substitutes led to its decline, but renewed interest—rooted in both ecological science and cultural revival—has reinvigorated prescribed burning as a vital, multi-purpose land management practice. Amanda Stallman joins us for this episode to provide valuable insight for modern practices and resources like local fire departments, colleges, and land trusts can help farmers learn and utilize prescribed fires.
Episode Resources
Prescribed Fire ‘how-to’ videos:
- Tallgrass Prairie Center – “Basic Prescribed Fire Techniques – Demonstration Burn” and “Conducting A Prescribed Burn” videos towards the bottom: https://tallgrassprairiecenter.org/videos
- ISU-Extension – Planning a prescribed burn series of videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpkEiJv9k6M1hUflhvVGvqMt1p7H-v3Oc
Basic Smoke Management Practices
Local USDA Service Center Finder/Contact – Find prescribed burn plan template/job sheet and local contractors list:https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app
In this episode, Andrew Hennenfent, Iowa’s State Public Health Veterinarian, expertly walks us through rabies risk assessment and prevention strategies tailored specifically to agritourism farms. We also hear from Carrie Klumb, Senior Epidemiologist from Minnesota’s Department of Health, who weighed in on rabies trends from her state. We break down which wildlife species pose the greatest threat, the main routes of transmission, and practical on‑farm prevention tactics. The guest also discusses clinical signs to watch for, the role of environmental factors, and the critical importance of immediate response and local health department coordination.
Episode Resources
- Updated Iowa Information at https://hhs.iowa.gov/center-acute-disease-epidemiology/rabies-information-public-providers-and-veterinarians (includes social media images for sharing and posters)
- Bats of Iowa Communications Toolkit
- MN Public Health website, including a video on how to safely capture a bat for rabies concerns: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/rabies/index.html
Former FarmSafe host, Anna Proctor, PhD, is back to discuss her pilot project with the Great Plains Center. Her study looks at conversations between parent-child dyads to determine how safety behaviors are passed on through modeling, training, and supervision. Do the parents and their adolescents share safety practices and beliefs? And how will these conversations lead to a better understanding of youth safety on the farm?
Episode Resources
- Ag Youth Work Guidelines
- Anna’s Vignette
Jana Davidson, program manager for the Progressive Agriculture Foundation, and Marsha Cheyney, outreach specialist for the Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health, discuss their strategies for agricultural safety outreach programs. Davidson stresses the importance of evaluating ROI and aligning activities with their mission of creating safer and healthier rural communities.
Cheyney, representing the regional Great Plains Center, describes a similar but regionally focused approach. Like Davidson, she stresses the importance of collaborative work across organizations to reach a broader audience and recognizes the importance of communicating effectively with different age ranges in the community and ensuring both immediate and long-term learning opportunities.
Episode Resources
- GPCAH Outreach Toolkits
- GPCAH Flat Farmers Toolkit
Carolyn Sheridan, Executive Director of the Ag Health and Safety Alliance, describes the Gear Up for Ag program focused on educating the next generation of farmers and agricultural workers on health and safety. The program, tailored for various age groups (youth, high school, college), prioritizes engagement through interactive activities and demonstrations.
Episode Resources
- Ag Health and Safety Alliance Resource Webpage
- GPCAH Main Resources Webpage
- GPCAH FarmSafe in the Classroom
- GPCAH Ag Educator Posters
Many farmworkers, particularly those in rural areas, have faced difficulties finding affordable, reliable childcare options due to the demands of farm work, which often includes long, irregular hours. Rural communities often lack sufficient childcare providers, and those that do exist may be too expensive or lack flexibility to accommodate farmers' schedules. Additionally, farm families may have limited access to public childcare assistance programs, as these are often more geared toward urban populations. The intersection of low wages in agricultural labor and limited social services has compounded these issues. Over time, various advocacy groups and policymakers have worked to highlight the need for better childcare access in farm communities, but challenges remain. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Florence Becot, nationwide insurance early career professor in agricultural safety and health and faculty member at Penn State, whose research may shed light on solutions that could reshape how we think about childcare in rural communities.
Episode Resources
Linking Childcare to Farm Children Safety, Marshfield Clinic Research Institute
Short article: ‘Farm families’ childcare challenges impacting farm businesses’, Penn State University
Picture exhibit ”Childcare challenges on the farm: We can’t fix what we don’t see”, Ohio State University
Short article: ‘When and how to safely involve the children on the farm’, Penn State University
Farm families face similar childcare access and affordability challenges as other working families nationwide, yet research on their specific experiences and needs is limited. Existing research lacks a deep understanding of how farm families actually use childcare, and what types of arrangements and support systems would motivate them to utilize childcare more. In this episode, we are joined by Florence Becot, nationwide insurance early career professor in agricultural safety and health and a faculty member at Penn State University. Dr. Becot’s work contributes to the field of agricultural health and safety by examining how under-appreciated factors such as childcare, health care, and health insurance shape farm families’ ability and willingness to adopt farm safety practices and seek medical care. We discuss Dr. Becot’s current study, which highlights the significant, often overlooked, mental health challenges faced by farm women while raising children.
Episode Resources
Cultivate Safety, Resource Search Webpage
Creating Safe Play Areas on Farms, National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health; National Farm Medicine Center; Marshfield Clinic, Booklet
Safe Play Areas, Cultivate Safety, Handout [PDF]
Play Ideas, Cultivate Safety, Handout [PDF]
While useful tools and educational programs are being developed to address childcare needs and farm child safety, there are still many social, practical, and monetary challenges to overcome. Dr. Florence Becot joins us again to wrap up our three-part series. This time, we explore the broader impact of childcare expenses on farm families' ability to earn a living and the need for more extensive support initiatives in rural areas to mitigate some of these challenges. This episode highlights the need for comprehensive support that goes beyond simply addressing childcare access and emphasizes the importance of stable farm income and affordable health insurance to enable farmers to successfully balance work and family responsibilities.
Episode Resources
A Roadmap for Delivering Child Care in Agricultural Communities, National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety & Migrant Clinicians Network, Workbook
Safe Play Posters, Cultivate Safety
Child Agricultural Safety Brochure, National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety [PDF]
Child/Youth Agricultural Safety Checklist, National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety [PDF]
This episode discusses fire safety and first aid procedures, particularly relevant to farm settings. A key takeaway is the importance of prevention in avoiding injuries and fires. Our expert, Pittsville Fire Chief, Jerry Minor, emphasizes a proactive approach, encompassing proper equipment, training, and building awareness for employees and the entire family. The discussion highlights the importance of proactive safety measures in preventing and responding to fires and injuries on farms.
Episode Resources
First Aid for Burns, GPCAH [Poster, 11x17]
First Aid for Burns, GPCAH [Handout, 8.5x11]
First Aid/CPR/AED Courses, American Red Cross, Webpage
First Aid Training Resources
To obtain first aid training, check local hospitals, schools, emergency medical services (EMS), and similar resources for upcoming first aid classes. Sign up for a first aid or first responder class or organize a class for workers or local agricultural organizations. Several state and national organizations, including those listed below, may have courses or trainers available in your area:
- American Red Cross: Input your zip code on the website to find a local Red Cross office.
- National Safety Council: Choose the type of class you wish to take and identify your area to locate an instructor.
Note that many institutions also offer online training courses.
In this episode, we sit down with Ellen Duysen, research assistant professor at the UNMC College of Public Health and coordinator of the Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health, to discuss the importance of raising backyard poultry and the growing threat of bird flu (avian influenza). Ellen shares key insights into how bird flu spreads, particularly in small-scale, backyard flocks, and the potential risks it poses to both poultry and human health. Listeners will learn essential biosecurity guidelines to protect their flocks, including steps to reduce exposure to wild birds and maintain clean living environments. The episode also covers the importance of monitoring flock health, recognizing early signs of illness, and what to do if bird flu is suspected. Whether you're a seasoned poultry keeper or just starting, this episode provides invaluable advice to keep your birds safe and healthy.
Episode Resources
Bird Flu Resources, University of Nebraska Medicine, CS-CASH
“Protect Yourself and Your Flock from Bird Flu”, Ellen Duysen, Farm Progress Column
Bird Flu Resources, GPCAH
For your free personal protective equipment kit designed to protect you and your flock from bird flu, contact Ellen Duysen at ellen.duysen@unmc.edu.
If you would like information on bird flu and free personal protective equipment kits for your 4H or FFA group, contact Ellen Duysen at ellen.duysen@unmc.edu.
In this episode, we explore the important role that terminology plays in how agricultural injuries and fatalities are reported in the media. Dr. Barbara Lee and Melissa Ploeckelman, from the National Children's Center for Rural and Ag Health and Safety in Marshfield, WI, stress the importance of using precise, consistent language that reflects the gravity of these incidents and respects the lives affected. The episode also touches on the impact of sensationalism and vague reporting, which can undermine the true extent of farm safety issues. By advocating for more thoughtful and informed language, the podcast aims to raise awareness and foster greater attention to the often-overlooked dangers of the farming profession.
Episode ResourcesChild Farm Injuries are Never “Accidents” by Dr. Barbara Lee
Child injuries on farms are not ‘accidents’
Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, “Accidents” vs IncidentsWebpage
In this episode, we're joined by Fire Chief Jerry Minor, who shares invaluable insights on fire safety and prevention specifically tailored for farms. With years of experience in fire management, Jerry Minor discusses the unique fire risks that farmers face and offers expert advice on how to minimize those dangers. From understanding the importance of proper equipment maintenance and fire-resistant materials to creating fire safety plans and emergency response strategies, this episode covers everything you need to know to keep your farm safe. Whether you run a small family farm or a large operation, these practical tips will help protect your land, animals, and livelihood from the threat of fire.
Episode Resources
The Telling the Story Project, Leon Sheets
Farm Mapper
Safer Farm
RF-DASH Webpage
Farm Fire Prevention Guide, I-CASH
In this podcast, we delve into the issue of medication-related falls among farmers, highlighting the risks that medications pose when mixed with the physically demanding nature of farming. Our expert for this episode, Dr. Ryan Carnahan, is currently involved in various projects, including reducing the use of high-risk medications in older adults to prevent falls. Dr. Carnahan emphasizes the importance of regular medication reviews and understanding the side effects of medications.
Episode Resources
Ag Health 101, Unit 9: Falls on Farms [Audio]
Ag Health 101, Unit 9: Falls on Farms [Unit Summary]
Medications Linked to Falls Fact Sheet
In this episode, we tackle the topic of succession planning for family farms. Our guest, Joy Kirkpatrick, a seasoned professional in farm management and succession planning, shares expert advice on how to navigate the often complex process of transferring farm ownership and leadership to the next generation. We discuss strategies for building the skills of successors, planning what is next for the owner generation, the importance of clear communication, and how to address the financial, legal, and emotional aspects of succession. This episode will offer valuable insights to help you plan ahead and make informed decisions about the future of your farm.
Episode Resources
Cultivating Your Farm’s Future Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Farm Management Division of Extension Webpage
Cultivating Your Farm’s Future – Workbook for Farm Succession Planning, University of Wisconsin-Madison
“Real Talk: Farm Succession Planning,” Penn State Extension
Farm Succession Planning – Conversations to Strengthen Farm & Family, Penn State Extension (Kaplan M, Becker J, Nussbaum J, O’Sullivan A)
Dr. Barbara Lee and Melissa Ploeckelman are joining us again for this episode, The Farm-Kid Paradox, focusing on how to keep children and youth safe while working and living on the farm. The episode covers best practices for educating young farm workers, fostering a culture of safety, and providing age-appropriate tasks to prevent farm incidents.
Episode ResourcesAgricultural Youth Work Guidelines
Childhood Agricultural Injuries – 2020 Factsheet, National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health ad Safety
Child Farm Injuries are Never “Accidents” by Dr. Barbara Lee
We kick off the new Season 4 of the FarmSafe Podcast. Our Season 3 host, Libby Ritchie, returns to chat with Center Director Renee Anthony to talk about the new format for Season 4. In this September 2024 episode drop, we are highlighting episodes that correspond to social media promotion for the National Farm Safety & Health Week. The list of past episodes we are mapping to topics this year are listed below:
National Farm Safety & Health Week – Topics & EpisodesMonday, Sept 16: Equipment & Rural Roadway Safety
- Season 1, Episode 9: Lighting and Marking
- Season 2, Episode 15: Safely Sharing the Road with Farm Vehicles
- Season 1, Episode 15: Farm Vehicle Crashes on Public Roads
- Season 3, Episode 3: Safe Operation and Maintenance of Tractors
Tuesday, Sept 17: Health & Wellness
- Season 2, Episode 7: What’s Your Normal?
- Season 1, Episode 6: Sleep
- Season 1, Episode 19: Examining Support Systems for Farmers’ Mental Health
- Season 1, Episode 20: Job Demands and Health Outcomes for Beginning Farmers
Wednesday, Sept 18: Generations of Farming
- Season 3, Episode 13: Exploring the Multi-generational Perspective on H&S with the Millennial Farmer
- Season 3, Episode 14: Support for Farmers’ Mental Health and Well-Being
Thursday, Sept 19: Confined Spaces
- Season 1, Episode 21: Manure Gas Safety
- Season 1, Episode 22: Gas Monitors
- Season 3, Episode 5: Grain Bin Safety Part 1
Friday, Sept 20: Reporting Ag Injuries
- Season 1, Episode 7: Back Pain and Whole-Body Vibration
- Season 3, Episode 10: Poisons: Exposure Response
- Season 3, Episode 12: Community Building for Rural Response to Emergencies
In our last episode of this season, we spoke with Scott Heiberger, Communications Manager of the National Farm Medicine Center. He wrote about his and his wife's experience with Lyme disease in his 2019 Spotlight for the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (UMASH): "Tick-borne diseases on the rise, but often misdiagnosed, underreported."
Episode Resources
Lyme Disease Surveillance Data
Lyme Disease, Marshfield Clinic
Tick ID Business Card
Tick ID Card
Mandy Roome, PhD, is a researcher at the Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety. Her current project is on tick-borne diseases on Vermont farms. She shares about the tick-borne diseases common to each region and how farmers can protect themselves, since avoiding outdoor work is not likely for a farmer.
Episode Resources
CDC, Check what the common ticks are in your state at https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/about/where-ticks-live.html
NIOSH, for general information on Tick-Borne Diseases: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/tick-borne/default.html
CDC, Tick Bite Data Tracker
Electricity is one of the “silent killers” in agriculture. There are many ways to come in contact with it, and without an understanding of common electrical hazards, farmers can get hurt. Libby speaks with Ann Augspurger from Safe Electricity on these hazards. We also hear from Cody and Bailey Conrady. They share the story of Cody’s electrocution and the surgeries and loss of limbs that followed.
Episode Resources
Safe Electricity Homepage
Electrical Hazards During and After a Storm: https://safeelectricity.org/public-education/videos-library/
The Cody Conrady Story
Infographic on Electrical Safety during Spring Planting
Did you know May is National Mental Health Awareness Month? We have a few voices on today's episode to discuss farmers' mental health. First, you'll hear from Kentucky farmer Quint Pottinger, owner of Affinity Farms. Then, Emily Krekelberg, Minnesota extension educator and dairy farmer, followed by Tammy Jacobs, Iowa State University Extension outreach and coordinator for the Iowa Concern hotline. In combination, this episode pulls together advice on how to support other farmers and what signs to look for if you or someone you love is struggling.
Episode ResourcesAg Worker Mental Health Training
RHIhub
Iowa Concern Hotline online or call 1-800-447-1985
Zach Johnson is the Minnesota Millennial Farmer. His YouTube account has over 1 million dedicated subscribers, and he is passionate about ag education — as are we! He has used his channel to promote organizations like Farm Rescue and Nationwide, who hosts Grain Bin Safety Week. He has shared videos on grain entrapment and rescue that lead to more shared stories in the comments below.
Episode Resources
https://farmrescue.org/
Constructing a farm succession plan
Millennial Farmer YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@MillennialFarmer
In this episode, we will explore the topic of emergency preparedness and response in the rural environment. Brian Feist, BSN, RN, and Emergency Preparedness Clinical Subject Matter Expert, and Dr. Richard Sidwell, trauma surgeon at Iowa Methodist, dive into community building and how it relates to preparedness and response efforts for rural emergencies. “One advantage that the small communities have is a depth of social capital. People want to help; people want to be involved with community. People have that community pride. Have social organizations be part of the disaster plan.”
Episode Resources
Stop the Bleed® ProgramFile for Life FolderSmart 911Farm MapperAlert Iowa
This episode focuses on emergency preparedness on the farm. We talked with extension educator and dairy farmer, Emily Krekelberg, about general tips that can help farmers plan for emergency situations. During the episode, we share information on the key pieces of information for your emergency action plan, including weather-related events, entrapments, or medical emergencies.
Episode Resources
Emergency Farm Plan Electronic Template, bulletin E-2575ETFarm First Aid GraphicFarm Emergency Plan: Tips and Guidance, Purdue UniversityUSDA Livestock Preparedness Fact Sheet
Emergency Contacts
To Order a Farm First-Aid Kit: Gloria Reiter | email: reiterg@nicc.edu | phone: 563-556-5110, ext. 371
Matison Howard, graduate student focused in emergency preparedness: matison-bentley@uiowa.edu
It is National Poison Prevention Week 2024. This year’s theme is “When the unexpected happens, Poison Help is here for you 24/7”. Tammy Noble from the Iowa Poison Control Center is back this week to answer more of our poison questions. Head to @GPCAH on Facebook or X/Twitter to like, comment, and share our #NPPW24 posts the rest of this week!
Episode Resources:
Recommendations: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention
Pesticide Poisoning Symptoms and First Aid, University of Missouri Extension
First Aid for Poisoning (8.5x11 handout)
First Aid for Poisoning (11x17 poster)
This episode is airing two weeks before National Poison Prevention Week (March 17-23rd). This is the first episode in a two-part conversation on poisoning exposure prevention, which is today’s episode, and poisoning exposure response on the 20th. Tammy Noble from the Iowa Poison Control Center will be guiding us through this topic.
Episode Resources
Needle Stick Prevention on the Farm, UMASH: https://umash.umn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Needlestick-Farmworkers-FactSheet-2020.pdf
The main UMASH page also includes multiple posters, videos, and training: https://umash.umn.edu/needlestick-prevention/
Farm Safety Check: Manure Management, UMASH: https://umash.umn.edu/farm-safety-check-manure-management-checklist/
Farm Safety Assessment, Rural Mutual Insurance: https://www.ruralmutual.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Rural-Mutual-Farm-Safety-Assessment.pdf
Youth in Agriculture, Child Labor Laws, OSHA: https://www.osha.gov/etools/youth-agriculture/chemicals-pesticides
We are wrapping up our Gran Bin Safety series during February’s Grain Bin Safety Week. Join us today as we chat with Rich and Kristina in the final part to our grain bin safety series. Today’s topic is grain handling equipment safety.
Episode Resources
Grain Safety Shorts: Grain Handling Equipment Safety, Kristina TeBockhorst: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/smallfarms/grain-safety-shorts-grain-handling-equipment-safety
Avoid Risks When Working Around Grain Handling and Processing Equipment, NASD: https://nasdonline.org/1290/d001095/avoid-risks-when-working-around-grain-handling-and.html
Grain Handling, OSHA: https://www.osha.gov/grain-handling/hazards
Grain must be managed all year round. The three Cs of grain management are Cooling, Coring and Cleaning and Checking. These must be implemented to ensure that your grain does not spoil. Kristina TeBockhorst returns to give us more details on this topic.
Episode Resources
Core Each Grain Bin This Fall, Kristina TeBockhorst: https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/blog/kristina-tebockhorst-shawn-shouse/core-each-grain-bin-fall
Winter Stored Grain Management, Kristina TeBockhorst: https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/blog/kristina-tebockhorst/winter-stored-grain-management
Cooling Grain Impacts on Grain Quality and Shelf-Life (Maximum Allowable Storage Life of Grain): https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/blog/charles-r-hurburgh/cooling-grain-impacts-grain-quality-and-shelf-life
In this episode of FarmSafe, we hear from Anita Howard. She lost her 18-year-old son in a tragic grain bin incident in 2019.Anita maintains that it was 100% preventable if he had known what precautions to take.
Episode Resources
Safety Precautions for Grain Bin-Related Hazards
Grain Safety Shorts: Aeration – why, when, and how?, by Kristina TeBockhorst
Grain Safety Shorts: Bin Prep, by Kristina TeBockhorst
This is our first episode in a series on grain bins leading up to grain bin safety week. We hear a farmer story on an extremely close call on the farm, resulting from grain entrapment.
Episode Resources
GPCAH Grain Engulfment and Entrapment
Grain Storage Structure Entry Procedures
Job Safety Analysis and Risk Assessment
For this year’s holiday special, we talked to farmers and individuals working in the ag safety and health field about their 2024 resolutions. We asked our farming community to share one thing that they commit to doing in the new year to stay safe and healthy on farms and in other rural areas.
Episode Resources
To look for specific tools to address hazards on the farm, visit our resources page
If you would like to take a deeper dive into ag safety and health, consider taking some free online courses
Farm Mapper Tool
Tractors are costly, and preventing costly repairs can be as simple as taking the time to do a pre-operational check on your tractor.
Half of all deaths from farming per year are from tractor rollovers. About half of all U.S. tractors are not fitted with Rollover Protective Structures or ROPS although ROPS have been proven to be effective at saving lives. Check out our resources to find ROPS rebate funding in your state.
Current availability of program funding varies from state to state. Contact your local equipment dealer for more information on additional funding options in your area.
Welcome back to the third season of the FarmSafe podcast. To kick off this season, our Season 3 host, Libby Presnall, chats with center director Renée Anthony. They talk about upcoming projects at the Great Plains Center and what to expect from Season 3.
In our final episode of season 2, we sit down with Tom Peters and ask him to talk about what he found out about differences in pesticide aerosols and drift when using new aerial drone technology versus the traditional land-application methods of the tractor operated boom sprayer.
Make some noise for Dr. Tom Peters! You guessed it -- today's episode is on hearing protection. We also speak with Marsha Cheyney as well who works for the Great Plains Center.
Glyphosate, or better known as Roundup, is a controversial weed killer. Is it safe? Let's hear from Kaci Buhl, the Co-Chair of the Pesticide Educational Resources Collaborative, on the current state of knowledge about glyphosate.
Kaci Buhl is on the FarmSafe Podcast to talk about an amazing resource -- PERC. PERC is the Pesticide Educational Resources Collaborative, and they have the know how about pesticide use. PERC's resources are even available for co-branding with your own region-specific information and your organization's logo.
Dr. Michelle Reyes, Sr. Research Associate at the University of Iowa's Driving Safety Research Institute, and Dr. Cara Hamann, Associate Researcher at the University of Iowa, and core director of the Injury Prevention Research Center are on the podcast to talk about the SaferTrek project. This project observes the behavior of passing vehicles and how they interact with farm vehicles on the road.
This episode brings together some familiar voices to share special memories of our friend and colleague, Paul Gunderson, PhD. We also talk about ways in which we can stay safe on the farm in honor of Paul's memory. Paul, former director of the National Farm Medicine Center in Marshfield, died last December at the age of 82.
This episode of the FarmSafe podcast is about rural emergency preparedness. We chat with Dr. Aaron Yoder about preparing for disasters and communicating with others so that they know where you are if you have to work alone. We also asked him about the Farm MAPPER project, and we discussed other technology that can be used in emergency situations or that can be used to communicate across large distances on the farm.
Carrie Klumb is an infectious disease epidemiologist from the Minnesota Department of Health. On today's episode, she explains zoonotic diseases and identifies how to prevent infections from handling animals. Carrie describes how animals naturally carry microorganisms that don’t make animals sick but can make people sick. She answers common questions about handwashing and encourages practices to foster safe relationships between people and farm animals
We are back with Dr. Athena Ramos this week. As we continue the conversation on feedyard safety, we look at how safety climate can inform safety compliance and adoption in feedyard workers. How can a cowboy’s safety behavior impact an entire workforce, and how can we get feedyard managers to prioritize safety conversations? These questions and more will be examined in this week’s episode.
Dr. Athena Ramos works with, and specializes in, research regarding Latino and Hispanic farmworkers. With over 20 years of experience, Ramos's work helps create healthier and more vibrant communities where everyone feels that they belong. In this episode, Dr. Ramos talks about safety and Midwest cattle feedyards – an agricultural sector with one of the highest injury and illness rates in the industry. Our next episode will continue the conversation creating a safety climate in feedyards that prioritizes talking about communicating effectively with cattle feedyard workers about safety.
Interested in applying for a GPCAH pilot award of up to $30,000? Listen to this short episode highlighting past recipients, their impact, and what they thought of the GPCAH pilot grant program. View the RFA at https://gpcah.public-health.uiowa.edu/gpcah-pilot-grant-program/. Application deadline: July 3, 2023.
In this episode, titled "March Mudness," we look at the hazards of mud on the farm and provide practical tips that farmers can use when working in mud or extracting farm equipment from mud. Our guest this episode is Dr. Fred Whitford from Purdue University Extension.
Lesley Kelly works on her farm in Saskatchewan, Canada with her brother and his family, her husband, and her two boys. She is the co-founder of the Do More Agriculture Foundation, and she runs the blog High Heels and Canola Fields. We talk with her about her and her family's mental health struggles and how they work to combat the symptoms of living with stress on the farm.
Today, we are talking with Sabrina Keiper. Sabrina is a female forester working for Amana Forestry. Although she loves the work, being a woman in a male-dominated field comes with its challenges. Finding properly fitting PPE would help make the job easier and safer for Sabrina.
This week’s episode we’re doing things a little different. In light of Thanksgiving, we will be discussing how agriculture plays a role in the holiday and why we’re thankful for our farmers, ranchers, and all agricultural workers who provide us with food, fiber, and fuel.
We’re keeping with the season 2 kickoff theme talking with women in agriculture. Karen Thorton devotes all of her time to agriculture, and today she will be discussing safety challenges from her experiences, highlighting her concerns on personal protective equipment fit.
Today we speak with Dr. Carly Nichols, whose research focuses on stress in women in agriculture. She is an assistant professor at the University of Iowa in the Department of Geographical and Sustainability Sciences. Carly talks about her research findings and offers some resources for those who may be experiencing stress.
During this episode, we talk with Shelby and Susan Wright, two women who are on the frontlines of agriculture. They join us from Kentucky to discuss their role in agriculture and how personal safety and chemical safety relate to their jobs.
Today we are talking with Marsha from the Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health. She is organizing the health and safety tent at the Farm Progress Show. The show is from August 30th through September 1st, in Boone, Iowa, and we learn about the available resources and demonstrations for preventing injury and illness on the farm.
We are wrapping up our first season with our 25th episode. We’ve spent the last year hearing stories from farmers and agricultural safety and health specialists in the Midwest about different farm hazards and how to prevent injuries and illnesses. We are taking a short break but will be back in September with new episodes. Today, we meet Matison who will be hosting the podcast in September, to hear about her and what episodes she's working on for Season 2. In the meantime, please take our short 5-question survey about the podcast to let us know how we're doing! You can find the survey here or in the episode resources section on our website.
In this episode we continue our conversation about manure gas hazards. The focus today is on gas monitors that can be used to detect the presence of hydrogen sulfide and methane. Because we cannot sense the presence of hydrogen sulfide or methane at high concentrations, we need to rely on a gas monitor to detect and alert us when we are in danger. Renee Anthony, an industrial hygienist, talks about how to use, store, and bump test these monitors. "Having a monitor that is giving you those numbers, gives you that additional amount of decision-making ability- it’s like this is really dangerous, I’m going to go out, absolutely nobody’s going to go in, we’ve got to ventilate for a little bit longer, figure out what’s going on and then we’ll recheck out the area”.
Episode resources are available at the GPCAH website: https://gpcah.public-health.uiowa.edu/farmsafe/
Two of the most dangerous hazards with manure gas are hydrogen sulfide and methane. When inhaled, hydrogen sulfide can paralyze the respiratory system leading to asphyxiation and death. Methane in the presence of an ignition source can cause explosions. Today we hear from a first responder describing some of the calls they've responded to for manure gas hazards, and then Renee Anthony, industrial hygienist and professor at the University of Iowa shares recommendations for safety including tips for ventilation, and using gas monitors.
Episode resources are available at https://gpcah.public-health.uiowa.edu/farmsafe/
We’ve been talking to pilot grant recipients about their projects to learn how they got their ideas, what they learned, and what recommendations they have for other people who are interested in applying. Today, I’m talking with Maya Ramaswamy who received a pilot grant for a project titled “Identifying job demands and health outcomes among Iowa beginning farmers”. Maya talks about how her interests in farmworkers' safety, musculoskeletal health, and understudied populations led to a pilot grant.
Episode resources can be found on the GPCAH website.
This May, we’ve been talking with pilot grant recipients about their projects to support farmers’ mental health. For today’s episode, I sat down and spoke with Yanni Liang about her 2020 pilot grant, "Examining the role of agricultural cooperatives in protecting farmers’ mental health". Yanni said the goal of her project was to understand what resources are available that already exist in communities that can potentially help farmers mitigate stress. Academic pilot grants are awarded to students, staff, and faculty at academic institutions to create new agricultural safety and health knowledge or assess best safety and health practices to prevent illness and injury resulting from agricultural work exposures.
We have compiled mental health resources for our listeners. If you, your friends, family, neighbors, or customers are experiencing stress, check out the links provided in the episode resources section of our website. These links provide farmer-specific and state-specific mental health and crisis resources.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and today we are joined by Meg Moynihan from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and Don Wick, host of the Transfarmation podcast, to talk about their project called Airing Out Farm Stress. They received a pilot grant from the Great Plains Center for their project, which aimed to tackle the silence around how the stresses inherent in agricultural production can affect the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of agricultural workers. What started out as 60-second radio segments turned into a successful podcast, Transfarmation, which covers in-depth mental health topics by sharing farmers’ stories. “Here, you are hearing stories of people like you, other farmers who are talking about really difficult situations that they had to go through, but they came out the other side.”
Episode resources can be found on our website: https://gpcah.public-health.uiowa.edu/farmsafe/
The Great Plains Center funds pilot projects that promote innovative outreach and research efforts to prevent agricultural injury and illness. In this episode we talk with Dr. David Brown, the behavioral health state specialist at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, about his pilot project that provided suicide prevention trainings for over 4300 producers and landowners in Iowa. This is the first episode where we talk to pilot grant recipients about their projects, what they did, and how they got the ideas for them. "We knew that farmers and producers had a lot higher rate of suicide than the general population. We also knew that they had a lot higher rate of depression and anxiety than the general population, and so we felt it was important to get out and to start the conversation about suicide prevention in the agricultural community." Episode resources are available on the GPCAH FarmSafe page. Information about pilot grant opportunities can be found on the GPCAH Pilot Grant page.
In this episode we are talking about Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), also known as “bird flu”. It is a highly contagious disease that is currently circulating in the United States among birds. As of April 5, 2022, there have been no reported human cases. According to the CDC, these avian flu viruses spread naturally among wild aquatic birds and can infect domestic poultry. It is highly contagious among birds and is often fatal to chickens and turkeys. We talk with Renee Anthony and Matt Nonnenmann from the University of Iowa about what poultry farmers can do to protect themselves from the virus and other hazards they might be exposed to while culling flocks or decontaminating farms and vehicles. "I think we need to look at the whole continuum of exposures that operators may have during this outbreak." Resources including links to the PPE Guide for Avian Influenza can be found on the GPCAH website.
This episode is part of our "Research Spotlight" series, where we talk about recent research in the field of agricultural safety and health. Research can help identify hazards, understand outcomes, and determine if interventions are helpful in reducing injuries and illnesses. In this episode, we hear from Matt McFalls and Dr. Marizen Ramirez from the University of Minnesota, who recently published a paper titled “Farm vehicle crashes on public roads: Analysis of farm-level factors”. We discuss their study examining risk factors for rural roadway crashes and why research is important to gather information we can use to develop prevention programs. A link to the paper is included in the episode resources of our website.
In this episode we talk to Dan Neenan, director of the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety about anhydrous ammonia. Dan has worked as a firefighter and paramedic responding to anhydrous ammonia releases. "I've been a paramedic coming up on 30 years now and I don't think I've seen anybody in more pain than a gentleman that I had that was sprayed in the face and in the eyes with anhydrous ammonia." Dan describes anhydrous ammonia and the PPE you need to wear when working with it. He also talks about the increased presence of anhydrous tanks on the roads this time of year. Episode resources are available on our website: https://gpcah.public-health.uiowa.edu/farmsafe/
In this episode we talk about grain engulfment and entrapment. The speed and force of flowing or shifting grain can have deadly consequences for workers who enter grain bins or walk on outdoor grain piles. We will be hearing stories from three guests today: a woman whose brother was rescued from a grain bin, an emergency responder who has been called for grain bin rescues, and a researcher who has been studying grain bin engulfment and will provide recommendations for keeping safe when working with grain.
Episode resources are available at https://gpcah.public-health.uiowa.edu/farmsafe/
Grain engulfment is a serious hazard. In 4 seconds, an adult can sink knee-deep in the suction of the flowing grain and can’t free themselves without help. Many fire departments lack the specialized rescue equipment and techniques necessary for a successful grain bin rescue. In conjunction with Grain Bin Safety Week, which is the third week in February this year, Nationwide has teamed up with the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) and other partners to award emergency first responders with grain rescue tubes and hands-on training to help save lives. Between now and April 30th you can nominate your local fire department to win a grain bin rescue tube and grain entrapment training from NECAS!
Learn more at NECAS and nominate your local fire department or emergency rescue team online. Nominations can be made online, via email, or mail between now and April 30th.
In this episode we wrap up our series on winter hazards and talk about things to include in cold weather safety trainings. Our guest is Dr. Maristela Rovai, a veterinarian, assistant professor, and extension dairy specialist at South Dakota State University. Dr. Rovai develops extension programs and assists dairy producers in training dairy workers. Winter can be challenging for anyone who has to work in cold temperatures and it can be especially challenging for immigrant workers new to the Midwest climate. Dr. Rovai shares tips on how to communicate winter hazards in cold weather trainings to protect workers at work and at home. Resource links available at https://gpcah.public-health.uiowa.edu/farmsafe/
We continue our winter series by talking about falls on ice, a common hazard on the farm in the winter. In this episode, an Iowa rancher shares a story about falling on ice and hitting her head and lists the things she always does now to try and prevent it from happening again. We also talk to Kathy Lee, RN, MSN, who works for the trauma program at the University of Iowa Hospitals about health outcomes associated with falls and strategies for preventing falls on ice. Episode resources are available at https://gpcah.public-health.uiowa.edu/farmsafe/
We kick off our winter series by talking about cold weather gear. Agricultural workers have to work outside in the winter and here in the Midwest, staying safe and warm in the winter can be challenging. Having the right kind of clothing and accessories for working outside in the winter can help prevent cold temperature-related health problems like frostbite and hypothermia. In this episode, we talk about how to build a clothing system based on layering and what materials are best and worst for keeping you warm and dry.
Episode resources available at https://gpcah.public-health.uiowa.edu/farmsafe/
We are taking a short break and will be back with new episodes in January! In the meantime, let us know how we are doing by taking this short survey. We want this podcast to be helpful so let us know about what you want to hear and how you want to hear about it.Tune in in January to listen to new episodes and in the meantime, we hope you and yours stay safe and healthy. Happy holidays from all of us at the FarmSafe podcast.
"One of the big challenges with farm equipment on the roadway is that they’re large vehicles and they tend to move slowly and that actually makes it more difficult for drivers of other vehicles to see and judge their speed." In this episode, we are going to be talking about lighting and marking to increase visibility of farm vehicles and equipment on roadways. Reflective tape and slow-moving vehicle emblems draw other driver’s attention to the agricultural vehicle which may give them more time to adjust their speed and decrease the likelihood of a crash. GPCAH resources are available on this website.
"I'm thankful for farmers because of the hard work, dedication, persistence and pride that they take in their work to help feed people in the United States and around the world." This week we are celebrating farmers and their important work! We asked listeners and folks who work with the center to send in messages of thanks to the farmers who provide us with Thanksgiving staples and healthy and safe food all year round. We also recognize the enormous stressors that have strained the mental health of farmers and agricultural workers, especially in the last couple of years, and we have provided links to mental health resources for farmers and rural communities.
In this episode we talk about a common problem for farm workers: occupational exposure to whole body vibration, a primary risk factor for back pain. Drs. Fred Gerr and Nate Fethke talk about what whole-body vibration is and ways to reduce exposure. "If a machine is being used by multiple operators... then all of the operators need to pay attention to the seat suspension adjustment. That should just be part of the checklist. I'm on this machine, I need to set it for my weight."
It’s harvest season and during this busy time, farmers and ranchers may not be getting much sleep. In this episode we talked to Susan Harris from Nebraska Extension, and Amanda Prokasky, from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, to talk about the importance of sleep and how the quality and quantity of farmers’ and ranchers’ sleep is affected throughout the year. "Anybody with any association with the agricultural industry knows that sleep is much different for Ag workers and producers than it is for most of the general population, because there are periods of time throughout the year where they're far busier."
In this episode Carolyn Sheridan and Jenna Gibbs from the Ag Safety and Health Alliance talk about the education they provide on ATV Safety in their Gear Up for Ag Program. Jenna and Carolyn spend time educating students on safety and engineering features of ATVs to help reduce risk of injury. These features include wider frames, crush protection devices, and GPS rollover systems or alarms. “I do think students are really interested in that, because those are safety decisions that you make at the point of purchase. It’s not like a behavior that you have to change after doing it for so many years.”
In this episode, we focus on ATV use on the farm and Dr. Jennissen talks about some of the common injuries from ATV farm incidents and what activities might increase the risk of injury. “ATVs and side by sides were the most common source of injury and death in agriculture across youth, for those kids 17 years and younger, and was the second most common source of injury and death in agriculture for all ages.”
We continue our conversation with Dr. Jennissen on ATV safety. Adult-sized vehicles are designed for adults, so young riders may be unable to control them. “95% of all deaths of children on ATVs occur on an adult-sized ATV at the time of their crash and death.” Dr. Jennissen also talks about the risk involved with having a passenger on an ATV as most youths ride with or as a passenger, increasing the risk of injury and death.
ATVs are designed for off-road use. “They’re not really all-terrain…so when they’re on roadways, both paved and unpaved, they can have a very unpredictable relationship with the roadway surface- one tire can grab and all of a sudden- boom, the ATV is rolling over.” Dr. Charles Jennissen is a pediatrician and emergency medicine physician who has been around ATVs for most of his life. We talk with Dr. Jennissen in this episode about the way ATVs are designed, and the risk involved with driving them on roads. He also provides recommendations for staying safe if you have to be on the road with an ATV for farm work.
Welcome to the FarmSafe podcast. Farming is a dangerous job and there are a variety of hazards involved. In this introductory episode, we hear from GPCAH researchers and partners about the work they do to help keep farmers safe and healthy.