Missouri
During the month of June, Missouri AgrAbility joined the National Safety Council to raise awareness and highlight safety in the workplace. Missouri AgrAbility's following is ever growing; during the month of June, its posts on Facebook earned 3,600 impressions, Tweets earned 5,400 impressions, and Instagram post had 1147 impressions. Check out Missouri AgrAbility on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @MOAgrAbility.
Submitted by: Tevin Uthlaut
Karen Funkenbusch, Missouri AgrAbility, co-presented three education posters and one oral presentation, and participated in the mental health round table at the 2019 International Society for Agricultural Safety and Health (ISASH) annual conference, June 24 - June 27, in Des Moines, Iowa, with AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians. Poster presentations included:
- AgrAbility Program assists Missouri and Pennsylvania Diverse Farm and Ranch Populations Realize Self-Employment Opportunities in Agriculture; (Karen Funkenbusch, Missouri AgrAbility, University of Missouri Extension and Linda Fetzer and Abbie Spackman, AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians, Pennsylvania State University).
- 'FReSH' Look at Agricultural Safety and Health for Women in Agriculture; (Karen Funkenbusch, CoP Leader of FReSH and Extension Assistant Professional, Agricultural System Management at University of Missouri, Linda Fetzer, Extension Associate, Penn State University and Abbie Spackman, AgrAbility Case Coordinator, Penn State University).
- Women at the Table: A Guide to Teaching Safe Tractor Operation for Women in Agriculture; (Karen Funkenbusch, CoP Leader of FReSH and Extension Assistant Professional, Agricultural System Management at University of Missouri and Linda Fetzer, Extension Associate, Penn State University).
ISASH participants included professionals, practitioners, and students interested in agricultural health and safety research, education, practice, and policy.
Karen Funkenbusch also participated in the MU Extension Opioid Task Force monthly meeting to discuss the recent release of the MU Extension Youth & Families Medication Safety Toolkit Guide. The MU Extension Toolkit is a user-friendly e-based publication that includes all of the resources needed to deliver nationally recognized medication safety and substance abuse prevention programs. The toolkit combines Generation Rx, 4-H Health Rocks, and Missouri AgrAbility, and outlines ways in which MU Extension Youth & Families regional and state specialists can work together to address safe medication usage, mental health, vaping, and other substance abuse issues that affect the rural, agricultural communities. For more information about the MU Extension Youth & Families Medication Safety Toolkit Guide, contact Karen Funkenbusch (funkenbuschk@missouri.edu).
Submitted by: Karen Funkenbusch
Dr. Scott Angle, head of NIFA, learned about Lincoln University's Innovative Small Farmer's Outreach Program (ISFOP) during his visit to Jefferson City, Missouri, on June 27. Mr. David Middleton, ISFOP Farm Outreach Worker (FOW) in Southwest Missouri, and Mr. Nahshon Bishop, ISFOP Small Farm Specialist in Southwest Missouri, demonstrated tools, highlighted Missouri AgrAbility displays, and presented information about cost effective technologies available to small farmers that include:
- irrigation
- drone technology
- personal protective equipment (PPE)
- seasonal Extension structures and equipment
- ergonomic tools
Submitted by: Nashon Bishop
Rehabilitation, employment, community living, and case management were discussed with the Missouri AgrAbility Project during the Brain Injury Association of Missouri (BIA-MO) Networking Coffee for professionals on June 4 in St. Louis. Maureen Cunningham, BIA-MO Executive Director, led this discussion.
Alyssa Grese, BIA-MO program associate, disseminated the "AgrAbility Offering Solutions for Farmers with Disabilities" brochure to federal reserve employees who live in Jefferson, Franklin, St. Charles, and surrounding rural areas of St. Louis counties during the St. Louis Federal Reserve Safety Fair on June 5. Roughly 100 Federal Reserve employees and neighboring businesses learned about farming and ranching opportunities after they retire.
The St. Louis Cardinals hosted their annual Redbird Rookies Health Fair on June 29, with 1,000 youth in attendance. Wearing a helmet while horseback and bicycle riding was highlighted on the Missouri AgrAbility Youth Activity sheets distributed by BIA-MO Volunteers.
Submitted by: Maureen Cunningham