Women's health and safety was the focus for exhibits and presentations at the 30th annual Women in Ag conference in Kearney this month. Sharry Nielsen, Nebraska Extension, joined Ellen Duysen from Central States Center for Ag Safety and Health to present a session on general health and safety for women, with specific information on respiratory health, using PPE (personal protective equipment), and ergonomics for women. The AgrAbility booth at the conference focused on hearing protection as well as promotion of the state and national projects. Emily Freudenburg, rural rehab specialist, and Sharry staffed the booth, visiting with many of the 280 folks registered.
The Nebraska AgrAbility Advisory Committee held its annual meeting with discussion centered on sustainability. Six staff members and nine committee members attended for a review of 2015, a discussion on networking possibilities, and the focus discussion. With members from the ag industry, health field, clients, service organizations, and funding sources coming from many parts of the state, a wealth of information was gathered.
Rod Petersen, rural rehab specialist, connected with vendor Kelly Florell, owner of Kelly's Auto and Trailer Sales, to promote AgrAbility at the Cattlemen's Classic Expo in Kearney. Kelly is a Hydrabed round bale loader dealer and has worked with AgrAbility clients many times over the years. Rod set up a booth and met with visitors, vendors, and cattle producers from across the state to network in a variety of ways. NE AgrAbility does, however, offer condolences to Kelly and his business associates as his business was destroyed in a fire the Tuesday night of the Classic. He is in the process of moving to another building and plans to rebuild in the future.
Submitted by Sharry Nielsen