Farming is one of the most dangerous occupations but also one of the most stressful. Yet, we often hear that farmers work through injuries, illnesses, or burnout even though doing so can delay recovery and in some cases, worsen their condition. In this webinar, Florence Becot from Pennsylvania State University and Andy Bater a member of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau Board and of the AgriSafe Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Advisory Council, will discuss why farmers continue working despite health challenges and highlight the importance of developing substitute labor solutions to support farmers’ well-being and farm business viability. As an example of a long-established model, Julien Deroo and Karim Cheurfa Molinier will present the French substitute farmer program, la “Fédération des Services de Remplacement”. Started 50 years ago, this network of 300 non-profit organizations across France serves a dual purpose. First, it provides substitute labor so that work on the farm can continue while farmers regain their health as well as when they need to be away from the farm for other purposes. Second, it serves as a workforce development platform for the agricultural sector as many of the substitute farmers earn practical experience in addition to their school training and/or already have hands-on farming experience. Created by farmers for farmers and managed by them through a mix of funding sources, its membership includes 67,000 farmer members (15% of the farming population in France) and 15,000 substitute farmers, and it has facilitated the substitution of 5 million work hours on farms last year. Agnes Papone, a farmer and elected representative of a “Service de Remplacement” in the southeast of France, will then share her family’s experience using the program. We will leave time for an interactive discussion with the audience about opportunities and challenges to develop substitute farmer programs in the U.S.

What is QPR? QPR training teaches laypeople and professionals to recognize and respond to mental health crises using the approach of Question, Persuade and Refer. To attend this training participants must be 18 years of age or older. In this 1.5-hour QPR training, we will provide: Information on the unique challenges farmers face that can lead to stress, depression, and suicide. Examples implementing each QPR component with someone at risk for suicide. Information on how to help someone at risk of suicide. Registration spots are limited, so please only register if you can attend the event. No recording of this training will be available.

CALM (Conversations on Access to Lethal Means) is a suicide prevention training that encourages safe storage of lethal means (firearms and medications) during a suicidal crisis. By temporarily putting time and distance between a suicidal person and highly lethal means, a life may be saved. CALM: Counseling on Access to Lethal Means was originally created as a workshop designed for mental health professionals.

There is growing concern over the role of environmental and occupational exposures in rising cancer rates in Iowa and across the country. People employed in agriculture and related industries in rural areas may face unique environmental and occupational exposures, besides genetic and behavioral risk factors, that can cause cancer. ​Rural barriers to accessing healthcare may compound the effects of environmental and occupational exposures in these settings. Understandable and actionable risk communications can help address existing rural cancer disparities. In this presentation, Audrey Tran Lam, Environmental Health Program Director at the University of Northern Iowa's Center for Energy and Environmental Education, and Caroline Powell, Environmental Outreach Coordinator at the Iowa Cancer Consortium, will provide tips on how to integrate evidence-based environmental health and cancer prevention information into rural and agricultural work. Participants will learn how to better communicate risk, answer questions, and strengthen environmental health literacy in their communities.

For centuries, zoonotic diseases have impacted humans in many ways. This presentation will focus on vector borne pathogens by discussing the vectors and trends with geographic distribution, temperature effects, and habitat management since the late 1890’s through today and potential future impacts. We are seeing in real time, the expansion of geographic range of certain tick and mosquito species. Between climate changes and globalized travel, the etiology of spread is sometimes clear but can also be difficult to diagnose. As the world has changed and continues to change, zoonotic diseases remain impactful.

The use of virtual and augmented reality simulators for safety training and health curricula is increasing and more available in fire safety, mining, aviation, and healthcare. The next generation of learners will engage in experiential learning throughout their educational journey, beginning in the classroom, and extending to their mobile devices and to on-site activities. This session will describe the advantages and benefits of applying virtual reality (VR) training in the workplace. Lessons learned from piloting a VR training module to increase worker skills and knowledge about the hazards, risks and controls during high risk activities in forest settings will be described.

This webinar will focus on opportunities to increase HPV vaccination coverage with rural communities to prevent HPV cancers. We will provide an overview of HPV epidemiology and share efforts by the St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program, including the implementation of six priority action steps, and other strategies for improvement. These steps involve promoting HPV vaccination starting at age 9, compiling and adapting existing resources for rural communities, training healthcare providers in rural areas, exploring policy influences on rural HPV vaccination, developing targeted messages for rural communities, and updating data on HPV vaccination and HPV cancers in rural areas. Participants will gain valuable insights into effective strategies and resources tailored for rural communities.

In this presentation, we will provide an overview of pediatric intellectual and developmental disabilities and will explore the vital resources and supports designed to enhance the lives of individuals and their families. Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge to help families effectively navigate the educational, financial, and support systems both currently and as their children age.

This webinar will present the usefulness of telehealth communications as a way to promote and provide mental health services within agricultural communities and the industry. This will assist in helping understand the multiple benefits of utilizing telehealth from a logistical, financial, and clinical perspective. And how the use of telehealth services can remove barriers that have traditionally deterred members of agricultural/rural communities from seeking mental health treatment.