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January 2025
AgriSafe in Action Newsletter
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WINTER WELLNESS: The Hidden Power of Hydration for Your Health | |
Did you know that as our bodies acclimate to winter weather, our need for hydration is just as important as during the summer months? While our bodies work to maintain a healthy temperature in the cold, proper hydration is essential to support cell functions. For example, even the simple act of exhaling requires hydration.
Farmworkers, who spend most of their time outdoors in heavy clothing and engage in high-intensity activities, tend to sweat heavily. This puts them at a higher risk of dehydration. Research shows that middle-aged individuals who are not adequately hydrated are more likely to develop chronic diseases including heart failure, diabetes, chronic lung disease, and dementia. Common symptoms of mild dehydration include intense thirst, headaches, very dry skin or mouth, and dark-colored urine.
Ready to hydrate? Ideally, women should aim for 11 cups of fluid per day, while men should aim for 15 cups. Fluid needs will vary depending on factors such as age, climate, exercise intensity, and body weight. It's best to hydrate with water, low-calorie beverages like plain coffee or tea, or sparkling/flavored waters. You can also switch it up with options like milk, milk alternatives, or 100% vegetable juice.
Take a look at your drinking habits and consider adding more fluids to your day. Stay hydrated, and stay well!
Sources:
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TTFH PODCAST: Motherhood, Farming, and Invisible Burdens
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In this episode of Talking Total Farmer Health, our host Linda Emanuel speaks with Dr. Florence Becot and Dr. Hannah Budge about their recent research on female farmers health and well-being. This conversation dives into how raising children, mediating the farm family, working on the farm, and working an off-farm job can disproportionately affect females’ health and well-being. Stick around till the end of the episode to hear tips for mothers to handle the heavy load, and for family and coworkers to help ease that load!
To listen to the latest episode, visit our website or on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - make sure to subscribe so that you to get notified when our episodes are released!
NOTE: The Talking Total Farmer Health podcast will shift to releasing episodes every-other-month!
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AGRISAFE IN ACTION: Boots on the Ground
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2024 National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) Conference (December 3 - 7), San Antonio, TX
AgriSafe’s presentation at the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) convention workshop focused on equipping agriculture teachers with tools and resources to address health and safety challenges in the agricultural industry. The workshop emphasized the importance of integrating health and safety education into agricultural curricula, particularly highlighting topics such as preventing youth injuries and fatalities in agriculture, mental health awareness, and workplace hazards. During the session, AgriSafe introduced its evidence-based curriculum tailored for agricultural educators and FFA advisors. Attendees participated in hands-on activities, interactive discussions, and demonstrations of practical tools to enhance classroom instruction.
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2025 Virginia Farm Show (January 16- 18), Fishersville, VA
AgriSafe exhibited at the Virginia Farm Show in Fishersville, Virginia from January 16-18! Laura Siegel and Vanessa Martinez handed out N95's, gloves, and educational materials on farm flood safety, musculoskeletal health, respirator selection, mental health and suicide prevention, and more! Despite the cold weather and snow on the ground, it was a well trafficked event and every single box of gloves and masks were handed out.
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JANUARY HEALTH SPOTLIGHT: Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
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As we observe Cervical Cancer Awareness Month this January, it's crucial to understand the unique health risks women working in agriculture face, especially in rural areas. There are two screening tests that can help prevent cervical cancer or find it early: the Pap test and the HPV test. Regular screenings and early vaccinations are key to saving lives.
Rural women in agricultural communities often experience challenges including limited access to healthcare, lack of transportation, and fewer opportunities for regular screenings like Pap smears or HPV tests. Additionally, many women in farming and ranching communities may be working long hours in physically demanding conditions, which can make it harder to prioritize their health.
To help raise awareness and for more information, check out these resources:
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UPCOMING AGRISAFE WEBINARS | |
Keep Rural Communities Healthy:
The Role of HPV Vaccination
(CNE Available)
Tuesday, January 28
12 pm - 1 pm CST
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Monthly Mental Health
Innovations Exchange
Wednesday, February 5
10 am - 11 am CST
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Conversations on Access to Lethal Means
(CALM) Training (General CE Available)
Wednesday, February 12
12 pm - 1:30 pm CST
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Zoonoses in a Changing World
(CME and General CE Available)
Wednesday, February 19
12 pm - 1 pm CST
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CONTINUING EDUCATION CORNER: FarmResponse
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2024 was a year of growth in the continuing education space for AgriSafe. We added to our team, bringing on Jessi Grote, DNP, RN, NPD-BC as the Professional Development Coordinator. Thanks to Jessi, we have partnered with various organizations across the country to enhance our CE offerings, from nursing to Community Health Workers, EMS providers, veterinarians, and Education and Research Centers (ERCs) to provide CE for health and safety professionals, and everything in between.
We are proud to announce that FarmResponse now has eight specialties covered for continuing education including occupational therapy, counseling from two organizations, nursing, medical, psychological, general, and veterinarians!
Reminder: Individuals living or licensed to practice in Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, or Wyoming may be eligible to take FarmResponse for free.
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UPCOMING AGRICULTURAL FUNDING/EVENTS | |
ISASH 2025 (June 23 - 26): Call for Abstracts (Deadline Feb. 4)
The International Society for Agricultural Safety and Health (ISASH) invites abstract submissions for the 2025 Annual Conference in Portland, Maine. The theme for this year’s conference is “On land and at sea: Safety and health for farmers, fishermen, and forestry workers.” The deadline for oral presentations is February 4, and the deadline for posters and hands-on demonstrations is March 7).
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Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund Application Open (Deadline - Feb. 14)
The Fellowship Fund program is a small grant program that provides direct assistance to Veterans who are in their beginning years of farming or ranching. Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000. The application will close on February 14 at 11:59 pm CST with awards set to be announced in May. For any questions, please email fellowship@farmvetco.org.
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2025 AgrAbility National Training Workshop
(March 24-27), Las Cruces, New Mexico
The AgrAbility National Training Workshop is the premier training event addressing issues of disability in agriculture. Professionals and consumers from all over the country participate in four days of plenary sessions, breakouts, tours, networking, and special events.
The conference will take place at the Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces for pre-conference sessions and the welcome reception. The main conference days will be held at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum.
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2025 Learning Collaborative - National Center for Farmworker Health (NCFH)
Join NCFH for the 2025 Social Risk Factors Learning Collaborative (LC). Participants will learn about the connection between mental health as a social risk factor and social drivers of health (SDOH) and discover ways to implement adequate screenings, mitigate barriers, and optimize partnerships to increase mental health access, particularly for agricultural worker populations.
Learning Sessions: February 11, 18, 25 and March 4
Time: 2 PM CT
This training is recommended for clinical supervisors and coordinators, medical assistants, patient navigators, community health workers, front office workers, and other health center staff involved in the implementation and/or delivery of integrated behavioral/mental health services. Register Here
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