In 1995, President Clinton signed a proclamation making November National Native American Heritage Month. This month is a time to celebrate the traditions, languages, and stories of Native American and Alaska Native communities and ensure their rich histories and contributions continue to thrive with each passing generation. AgriSafe wants to acknowledge that the office in Covington, Louisiana is on the indigenous lands of the Chahta Yakni (Choctaw) and Acolapissa tribes (source). 

Did You Know?

In 2022, the United States had 78,316 producers who identified as American Indian/Alaska Native, either alone or in combination with another race. They accounted for 2% of the country’s 3.4 million producers, with the majority in the Western and Plains states. Overall, American Indian/Alaska Native producers were younger and more likely to be female than U.S. producers overall (2022 Census of Agriculture).

If you’re interested in more resources on Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month, check out the Library of Congress' resource guide to Native communities in the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean.

You can help celebrate Native American and Alaska Native communities by checking out this month's social media toolkit.

Photo Credit: Sometimes, During a Summer Storm, Her Hair Ran with Rainbows 1992 By Kevin Peters Acrylic on canvas. L 76, W 61 cm Nez Perce National Historical Park, NEPE 34566

AgriSafe’s FarmResponse program is a comprehensive, on-demand, 3.5-hour continuing education course designed to equip health care professionals with essential skills to support the mental health of agricultural producers and their families. Developed by experts from the AgriStress Response network, this course provides an in-depth understanding of the unique stressors faced by farmers, ranchers, and others in the agricultural community. By taking FarmResponse, healthcare professionals will gain the competencies necessary to care for a farmer’s total health effectively.

AgriSafe is proud to announce that FarmResponse now offers multiple continuing education credits for a wide range of healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, occupational therapists, psychologists, licensed professional counselors, and more. These new credits make the course an even more valuable resource for those seeking to expand their knowledge in mental health care, particularly in the context of agriculture. 

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.

In this episode of Talking Total Farmer Health, our host Linda Emanuel talks with Dr. Erin Cortus from the University of Minnesota about manure management and safety. While manure incidents are few and far between, when they occur they are often fatal... That is why prevention and safety are so important. Tune in to hear important safety tips working around manure fumes, enclosed spaces, and handling spills.

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!

AgriSafe Board and Staff Virtual Retreat: Fostering Collaboration and Innovation in Agricultural Health

AgriSafe’s board and staff met virtually November 12-13, 2024, for a dynamic and impactful retreat, uniting team members from across the country to reflect on past successes, tackle present challenges, and build a roadmap for future growth. The event fostered a spirit of collaboration and innovation, as participants engaged in thought-provoking discussions and strategic planning to advance AgriSafe's mission of improving the health and safety of agricultural workers.

AgriSafe would like to sincerely thank all who participated in the retreat. Your insights, ideas, and commitment to the health and well-being of agricultural workers are instrumental in shaping the organization’s future and driving lasting change in the agricultural community!

November FEMA Ag Recovery Events in Virginia

AgriSafe Network was proud to be present at the Agriculture Recovery Resource Days organized by FEMA in southwestern Virginia on October 29 and November 7, 9, 12, and 14. All 5 events took place in counties that were most impacted by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton; across these events there were around 270 attendees! Individuals were welcomed with information on how to properly clean up after a flood, as well as information on emergency housing, and emergency funding for agriculture workers. AgriSafe staff Vanessa Martinez and Laura Siegel provided attendees with supplies to help aid in cleanup including gloves and N-95 masks, as well as mental health resources, including the AgriStress Helpline.

Husker Harvest Days Sept. 2024

Farm Family Sticky Notes

Exploring self-awareness through reflection on inner thoughts and emotions may enhance mental and emotional well-being, and this can be as simple as writing it down. Whether through formal journaling or jotting down brief thoughts on a sticky note, the act of self-reflection fosters growth and understanding.

At Husker Harvest Days in September, AgriSafe invited participants in the Safety Zone to engage in a fun, interactive exercise: they randomly picked an emoji stress ball, engaged in a light-hearted discussion, and shared their favorite stress-relief activities. The activity was open to all ages, creating an inclusive environment for everyone to participate. The results of this activity were displayed on a public-facing town hall-style board, with a dynamic word cloud capturing the highlights. Special thanks to Kelsey Irvine and Ellen Duysen from CS-CASH outreach for compiling the data and creating engaging results (see word cloud image).

November marks National Diabetes Month, a time to raise awareness about diabetes and its impact on millions of Americans. This year, as we emphasize the importance of prevention and effective management, it’s crucial to spotlight the unique challenges faced by rural communities in tackling this growing health issue.

Did you know that diabetes is 17% more prevalent in rural areas than in urban communities? Despite the higher rates of diabetes in these regions, research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that 62% of rural counties lack a Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) program. This lack of resources, combined with limited access to healthcare, places rural residents at a distinct disadvantage in preventing and managing diabetes (source).

Simple Steps to Prevent Diabetes: (source)

• Understand Your Risk: Learn about your risk factors for diabetes to take proactive steps.
• Control Key Health Indicators: Monitor and manage your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels to stay on track.
• Adopt Healthy Habits Gradually: Start small with manageable lifestyle changes, such as eating more fruits and vegetables or increasing physical activity.
• Stay Consistent with Medications: Take your prescribed medications on schedule to maintain balanced health.
• Maintain a Healthy Weight: Achieve and sustain a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise.
• Prioritize Mental Well-being: Manage stress and seek support for mental health to improve overall health and reduce risk.
• Collaborate with Your Healthcare Team: Work closely with your doctor and healthcare providers to create a personalized prevention plan.



This National Diabetes Month, let’s work together to ensure that everyone, no matter where they live, has the tools and support needed to prevent and manage diabetes.

Resources to Support Disaster Preparedness and Response in Rural Communities

December 3

12 pm - 1 pm CST

Monthly Mental Health Innovations Exchange- AgriStress Response Network

Wednesday, December 4

10 am - 11 am CDT

Using Telehealth Counseling to Reach Agricultural Communities – A Clinician’s Perspective

Tuesday, December 10

12 pm - 1 pm CST

Suicide Prevention Training:

QPR for Farmers and Farm Families

Thursday, December 12

11 am - 12:30 pm CST

Bridging the Knowledge Gap: Pediatric Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDDs)

Thursday, December 12

12 pm - 1 pm CDT

COMING SOON...

In 2025 we will debut our "Continuing Education Spotlight Corner" - this section will let you know some of the CE's AgriSafe has available!

2024 National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) Conference

December 3 - 7 (San Antonio, TX)

The NAAE Conference is an annual event that brings together agricultural education professionals, including teachers, administrators, and students, to share knowledge, collaborate, and further develop their skills in the field of agricultural education. Educators can learn about new tools, educational resources, and innovations for their classrooms. If you are attending, be sure to join AgriSafe for the Invest in Your Health Trainer (IYH) Exchange on Wednesday, December 4th from 2:45-4:00 PM in room Lone Star A.

ISASH FREE Webinar: H5N1 What We Know So Far (December 9, 2024 at 12 PM ET)

You’re invited to the ISASH Ideas Exchange! Join ISASH for an engaging session where expert panelists in Agricultural Health and Safety will share insights into their work in H5N1 - What We Know So Far. This interactive webinar aims to encourage a dynamic exchange of ideas and collaboration opportunities while strengthening connections among professionals in rural health and agricultural safety. Each panelist will briefly introduce their work, followed by Q&A, discussion, and potential avenues for collaboration with participants.

This webinar is hosted by The International Society for Agricultural Safety and Health (ISASH) in collaboration with the ISASH Rural and Occupational Health Interest Group. Have questions? Email info@isash.org

Southern University Law Center FREE Webinar: Crop Insurance

(December 5 at 12 PM CT)

Join Agricultural Law Institute (ALI) Director Ebony Woodruff and Chimere Hampton, Navigator Project Specialist for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, for an informative webinar on Crop Insurance hosted by Southern University Law Center.

Hampton holds a B.S. in Finance with an emphasis in Real Estate from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and an M.P.A. in Public Administration from Texas Southern University. With 10 years of work experience for the U of A System, she hopes to bring a passion for outreach through assisting and guiding farmers and ranchers, toward diversified enterprises and facilitating the use of crop insurance. Her service area includes Tennessee and Kentucky.

It’s Time to Enroll in Health Insurance

(Nov. 1 - Jan. 15)



Open enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace is here! Whether you're a small farmer or part of a larger operation, now is the time to find affordable health coverage that works for YOU. Don’t miss out—coverage can make a huge difference in your family’s health and well-being.

Interested in supporting the work of AgriSafe? Donations to AgriSafe will help further the work of protecting the people who feed the world. Check out the details on how to donate ---->

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