Rooted in Diversity:
National Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month. AgriSafe is proud to celebrate the ongoing contributions Native Americans and indigenous cultures have made to the agriculture, forestry, and fishing industries. AgriSafe would also like to recognize that our office in Covington, Louisiana is on the indigenous lands of the Chahta Yakni (Choctaw) and Acolapissa (source).
 
According to the 2017 Census on Agriculture, the United States had 79,198 producers who identified as American Indian or Alaskan Native, either alone or in combination with another race. This population accounted for 2.3 percent of the country’s 3.4 million producers, with the majority in the Western and Plains states. Their farms accounted for less than 1 percent of US agriculture sales and more than 6 percent of US farmland.
 
 According to the 2020 US Census, 87% of individuals who identify as American Indian or Alaskan Native do not live on reservations or tribal lands. This means it is very likely you may have patients who identify as Native American. Do stay up to date on their healthcare needs: join one of the Indian Health Services (IHS) listservs or check out the IHS's other resources for healthcare providers; familiarize yourself with the Office of Minority Health’s Native American pages; or take this free online course, Essential Understandings, offered by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian.
 
Click here to find more on Native American Heritage Month.

Photo credit: Harvest Dance c 1940 By Pablita Velarde.
Talking TFH® Podcast: Health Insurance
This month on Talking Total Farmer Health, we explore health insurance and how to get it! We spoke with Dr. Florence Becot and Maria Pippidis about the ins and outs of getting health insurance for farmers, including subjects such as when you can sign up, what paperwork you need to have ready, what to do when you have fluctuating income, and much more. Listen to the latest episode or subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to get updated every time a new episode comes out! 
Health Spotlight: Slips, Trips and Falls
Every autumn, AgriSafe highlights the importance of preventing slips, trips, and falls as our agricultural workers are challenged by the cold, wind, and ice that comes with winter weather. While this information is important for all ag workers, it is especially important for older adults. According to the most recent Census of Agriculture, over half of the management and work in agriculture is carried out by men and women 57 years old and older, and one-third of America’s 3.4 million farmers are over the age of 65. 

We know that as people age, their likelihood of injury from falls increases (CDC). There are also many factors that can affect our coordination and reflexes in cold weather conditions, such as: medications, changes in visual acuity, decreased flexibility and balance, chronic disease, and more. 

Here are some resources with good tips to share with your colleagues, students, and patients: 
AgriSafe in Action
2022 National FFA Convention and Expo
AgriSafe tabled at the National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis, from October 26th-28th. At the event, AgriSafe was in a group with other health and safety organizations, and we spoke to over 3,000 students and ag educators/advisors from across the United States! Our primary focus was promoting Cultivating a Healthy Mind, so we had two mental health activities to engage students. We also promoted our free curriculums for ag educators called Invest In Your Health. Overall, this convention was a roaring success.
Celebrating Veterans Day
Friday, November 11th is Veterans Day! In honor of those who have served our nation, take some time to research and understand their unique healthcare needs.

Check out some of AgriSafe's free On-Demand webinars: 
AgriSafe Webinar Opportunities
Fall Prevention in Older Adults
November 17, 2022
12 PM - 1 PM CT
Talking About Ticks- Lyme Disease
December 8, 2022
12 PM - 1 PM CT
QPR training teaches laypeople and professionals to recognize and respond to mental health crises using the approach of Question, Persuade and Refer. Participants only need to attend one training date.

Upcoming dates:
AgriSafe in the Media
AgriSafe and VIA LINK have launched the AgriStress Helpline in 6 states, but we are aiming to make the line national within due time. One state where the helpline is available in Missouri. Check out the most recent episode of Missouri Farmers Care Podcast "Stand for Ag," to hear more about what AgriSafe is offering to Missourians!

Check out Virginia's Young Farmers Podcast "Cultivating Conversations about Agriculture" episode Mental Health. It's okay to not be okay, AND here is how to help. Hosts Ashley Kuhler and Morgan Slaven spoke about mental health and wellness for farmers, with Laura Siegel, AgriSafe's Health Communications Officer, and Jeremy Daubert, Rockingham County Extension Dairy Agent, with Virginia AgrAbility.
Get Engaged in Ag Health!
Join RHIhub on Twitter on Wednesday, November 16th at 1 PM CT for their annual #RuralHealthChat in honor of National Rural Health Day. The topic is Addressing Health Literacy in Rural America. To join the discussion on rural health literacy, either visit their Twitter page or search the hashtag #RuralHealthChat!

Not sure what to say in the rural health chat?
Then check out the NRHA's most recent poll.
The NRHA asked rural adults, parents, and teens some questions about COVID-19. Check out the full tabulation and analysis of responses and their four-page summary highlighting the most interesting findings! Here's our primary takeaway: Healthcare providers still hold a trusted position for the people who took this poll. If you are an HCP, make sure you are engaging your patients in discussions about vaccinations and why they are important!
National Diabetes Month
Did you know that November is National Diabetes Month? The focus of this month is to bring attention to the importance of managing diabetes by building a patient's healthcare team. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, diabetes affects about 37 million Americans (including adults and youth).

According to the Rural Health Information Hub, when compared to their urban counterpart, rural communities have an increased risk of having diabetes because of risk factors that are prevalent in rural communities and access to a variety of services. Higher rates of obesity in rural areas have also increased the likelihood of developing diabetes for rural residents. Rural community characteristics that contribute to this risk include access barriers due to location, which can make it more challenging to consume healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables. Lack of access to medical resources also can make it more difficult for rural residents to manage their diabetes (source).

For more information about managing diabetes, click here.
Upcoming Events in Agriculture
MRASH Conference
Location: Virtual and In-Person (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)
Date: November 16-17, 2022
Click here for more information and register here!
2023 AgrAbility National Training Workshop
Location: Spokane, Washington
Date: March 20-23, 2023
Click here for more information! Registration coming soon.
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8342 NICC Drive, Peosta, IA 52068
Phone: (866) 312-3002