Summary: The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and associated coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has profoundly affected humans on a global scale in a noticeably short time. Individuals working in agriculture who, as “essential workers", are exempt from stay-home mandates, and are naturally at increased risk of negative health, economic, social, and familial consequences from the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. Language and cultural differences, rural geographies, socioeconomic pressures, and immigration status are among the barriers that impede agricultural workers access to critical education and prevention technologies emerging to combat COVID-19. Additionally, the unusual persistence and multimodal transmission cycle of SARS-CoV-2 emerging from ongoing scientific study may require customization of otherwise standard prevention messaging to agricultural workers to further prevent infection and disease exacerbation.

Contact tracing is a tool that can help slow the spread of infectious diseases, such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Contact tracing helps protect you and your employees by: Letting people know they may have been exposed to COVID-19 and should monitor their health for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Helping people who may have been exposed to COVID-19 get tested, self-quarantine or isolate to prevent spread of disease (CDC).

Intended Audience: Farm/Ranch owner and operators, health and safety professionals, safety officers or specialists, managers, supervisors, safety coordinators, health safety and environmental interns and any person or persons who serve as safety personnel in an agricultural setting.

Objectives: At the conclusion of the program, participants will be able to...

1. Explain the importance of COVID-19 occurrence, distribution and control for agricultural safety. 
2. Understand how COVID-19 particularly impacts rural areas. 
3. Identify ways to limit the spread of COVID-19 in an agricultural work environment through contact tracing.
4. Document at least three evidence based resources on COVID-19 safety in the workplace.

This material was produced under grant number SH-99084-SH0 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. 

 Alarming rates of suicide among production farmers have prompted public health officials to increase the awareness and cultural understanding of providing wholistic care for those in rural agricultural areas. Unique aspects of farm life and farming can contribute to higher levels of depressive symptoms and increased stress. Higher levels of depression, in addition to suicide, can also increase a farmer’s risk of injury and development of chronic disease, impacting overall quality of life. The agrarian culture is one of strong work ethic, self-sufficiency, conservative views, and adherence to gender roles, which can make discussion of mental well-being distinctly different from clients who are not from the agrarian culture. The training module will seek to provide insight on the aspects of providing healthcare for farmers and farm families as it relates to the culture and occupational aspects of farming and farm life.

Objectives:

By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Have a greater understanding of the agrarian culture.
2. Apply key concepts of the culture when proving healthcare for farmers and farm families.
3. Identify barriers of seeking mental wellness in a rural, agricultural community 

Funded through the generous support of:

Federal Office of Rural Health Policy

Summary: Tick borne illnesses often go undetected for years. Our speakers will provide unique perspectives from clinicians, resource development, and emotional support of those suffering with Lyme disease. The webinar will provide up to date education, understanding of the complex disease presentation, Lyme disease resources and awareness of the long-term effects for physical and mental health.

Objectives: By the end of this webinar participants will be able to...
- Describe Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases, and their regional variation
- Describe symptoms of Lyme disease- early and late stage
- Understand the complexities of Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS), persistence, and secondary diseases/damage
- Understand the appropriate use of diagnostic tests for Lyme Disease

Intended Audience: This course is intended for health and safety professionals, Ag extension professionals, educators, and individuals involved in working and recreation outdoors.

Continuing Education is Available: The Midwest Center for Occupational Health and Safety offers 0.1 CEU or 1.0 contact hours of participation. This course is eligible for 1.0 CPH Recertification Credits and is sponsored by the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, an approved provider of CPH Recertification Credits by the National Board of Public Health Examiners. The following groups of professionals have been able to use these CEUs in the past; Industrial Hygiene (CIH), Certified Public Health Professional(CPH), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Nursing (RN, LPN), Social Work (LSW), Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT), Audiology (ABA), and others. Please contact your accrediting agency regarding any questions about receiving credits.

This Train the Trainer course is designed for teachers, Extension staff, 4H and FFA leaders and others who work with young adults. Agriculture is ranked as one of the most dangerous occupations and involves workers and family members of all ages. Illness and injuries can be prevented if we use the right protective equipment for the job. This program will present an overview of common exposures in farming and ranching and identify appropriate personal protective equipment.

At the conclusion of the program, participants/educators will be able to: 

1. Review several of the indicators related to use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in agriculture 
2. Access personal protective (PPE) educational material developed for classroom use
3. Select decision making activities from programs designed for classroom time frames
4. Identify safety and health resources for use in educational settings

Invest in Your Health is supported by:

This is the presentation slides for the webinar Respiratory Protection Program Overview in COVID-19 and Beyond (June 30, 2021), the recording of this webinar is not available. 

Summary: Many COVID-19 related US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) citations have been issued for missing key elements of a respiratory protection program. This session will cover the requirements of OSHA’s respiratory protection program, 29 CFR 1910.134, with emphasis on key areas noted in the COVID-19 citations and related temporary enforcement guidance; the differences between respirators types, surgical masks and face coverings; and optimizing respirator use during shortages.

Intended Audience: Agriculture, food and beverage safety and health professionals

Summary: Wildfires have become a persistent health threat for people working in agriculture. This webinar will focus on understanding the risks of exposure to wildfire smoke and potential strategies for responding to protect human health. Best practices for protecting worker health will be shared based on California's requirements along with resources for talking with agricultural workers about wildfire exposure risks.

Intended Audience: farmers, ranchers, agricultural producers, agricultural workers, employers, agricultural safety and health professions, health professionals

Objectives: By the end of this webinar, attendees will be able to…  

- Establish key concerns surrounding agricultural workers and exposure to wildfire smoke  

- Identify existing information gaps and propose potential solutions  

- Present preliminary efforts to develop a response framework targeted to farmers and ranchers  

- List best practices for protecting worker health during wildfire conditions  

- Identify at least one resource for sharing with ag workers related to wildfires

In 2018, the U.S. Surgeon General called for increased awareness and availability of naloxone, the opioid antagonist, to reverse the effects of opioid overdose. Despite the rise in the dispensing of naloxone, there is a significant gap in our response across all sectors of society. In the rural parts of our country, where emergency response times can be dangerously long, developing a workplace naloxone availability and use program could ultimately save lives. This webinar will share information from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to help employers and workers understand the risk of opioid overdose and the role of naloxone. 

By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to: 

1. Discuss what medications are prescription and illicit opioids and what is OUD (Opioid Use Disorder) 
2. Describe the dangers of opioids in the workplace and OUD for safety-sensitive occupations 
3. Discuss the role of naloxone in opioid overdose 
4. Discuss the implementation of workplace naloxone use programs 
5. Understand the administration of the dosage forms available for naloxone used in an emergency

Sponsored by:

This project was supported by the FY17 USDA NIFA Rural Health and Safety Education Competitive Grants Program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA, Grant # 2017-46100-27225 and the FY18 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Rural Opioids Technical Assistance Grants (ROTA) # TI-18-022

Continuing Health Professional Education is available for this webinar for free to licensed health care providers in the state of Mississippi. For health care providers outside of Mississippi, the continuing education is available for $40 per CE hour.

Physician- AMA The University of Mississippi School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The University of Mississippi School of Medicine designates this e-learning activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the educational activity.  

Dental- ADA CERP – American Dental Association Continuing Education Recognition Program. The University of Mississippi School of Dentistry is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry. The University of Mississippi School of Dentistry designates this activity for 1.0 continuing education credits.

Nursing- The University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Nursing is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by The Mississippi Nurses Foundation, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. As an approved provider, the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Nursing awards this activity 1.0 contact hour(s).

Social Work- This organization The University of Mississippi Medical Center provider number SWB 120016 is approved as a provider for continuing education by the Mississippi Board of Examiners and Marriage & Family Therapists; Approval Period: 1/15/2020 through 1/15/2022 Social workers will receive 1.0 continuing education clock hours in participating in this course General.

Pharmacy- The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. Upon successful completion of this activity, seminar registrants will have continuing pharmacy education credit posted to their MyCPE Monitor (www.mycpemonitor.net). This seminar has been approved for (1.0 CEUs) by the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacy Professional Development. ACPE number: 0032-999-19-079-H01-P

CHPE- This activity is approved by the University of Mississippi Medical Center Division of Continuing Health Professional Education for a maximum of 1.0 contact hours.

Emergency Medical Services- This offering has been approved for 1.0 EMS continuing education credit by the Mississippi Bureau of Emergency Medical Services.

For more information on courses and continuing education, please visit- https://learning.agrisafe.org/opioid-misuse-prevention

Summary: Stigma exists across all age groups for those struggling with mental health. Navigation of the teen years in everyday situations can create angst and uncomfortable feelings that are difficult to express. Adding mental illness and mental crisis to a teen or young adult’s typical growth and development makes struggling with emotions, relationships, academic success, and safety more challenging. According to the CDC, rates of depression and anxiety climb significantly during the ages of 12-17. Suicide is the second leading cause of death of youths in the United States. This module opens an introductory discussion of mental health among teens and young adults with guidance from an adult educator. Focus is placed on decreasing stigma, improving mental health literacy, and positive coping skills for teens and young adults. The module showcases a high school agricultural student’s understanding of the agricultural mental health crisis, helping to frame mental health distress to academic and future career success. 

 Objectives: After the module, teens and young adults will be able to....

1. Understand the relationship of mental health to physical health and academic or career success 
2. Recognize basic signs or symptoms that present when young adults experience mental stress 
3. Identify healthy and unhealthy coping behaviors when faced with mental distress 
4. Communicate their concerns when suspecting they or someone they know is experiencing a mental health crisis 

Intended Audience: This Train the Trainer course is designed for teachers, Extension staff, 4H and FFA leaders and others who work with young adults.

Invest in Your Health is supported by:

Summary: Pregnancy and fertility are often not considered when women assume farm tasks. Pesticide and other chemical exposures, zoonotic diseases and heavy lifting particularly during childbearing years, present challenges.

Objectives: At the end of the presentation, participants will be able to:
- Identify unique exposures/risks associated with farm tasks.
- Identify at least four reproductive health and safety issues for women.
- Locate three current evidenced based resources in the field of agricultural health
- Develop Hazard Map of work exposures.
- Select appropriate PPE for farm tasks to reduce or eliminate exposures and or risks.

Intended Audience: Producers- This training is intended primarily for agricultural producers including but not limited to farmers, ranchers, and any person or persons involved in some combination of raising field crops, orchards, vineyards, poultry, or other livestock.

This material was produced under grant number SH-05068-SH8 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Summary: Parkinson's disease impacts over one million people living in the United States. People living in rural areas may not have access to specialists and getting diagnosis may be difficult. Rural health care providers and agricultural professionals need to develop an awareness of this neurodegenerative disorder and understand the effects on agricultural work. Participants will learn about rural specific resources, safety screening for aspects of agricultural work, tips to maximize farmer functioning, and communication strategies with farm families.

Objectives: At the end of this presentation, learners will be able to...

• Understand the impact of aging on the farming workforce
• Translate relevant strategies when interacting with people living with Parkinson’s that work in agricultural production
• Understand why an in-home engagement is an important approach to consider for rural individuals with Parkinson disease
• Use evidenced-based screening tools to address safety and foster communication for individuals with movement disorders working in agriculture

Intended Audience: This course is intended for healthcare professionals, agricultural and agribusiness professionals, people engaged in agricultural work and families that encounter aging individuals living with movement disorders like Parkinson’s. Anyone working with aging producers in rural America and interested in preserving their safety and function will find value in this educational offering.

Continuing Education:

The Midwest Center for Occupational Health and Safety offers 0.1 CEU or 1.0 contact hours of participation. This course is eligible for 1.0 CPH Recertification Credits and is sponsored by the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, an approved provider of CPH Recertification Credits by the National Board of Public Health Examiners. Please contact your accrediting agency regarding any questions about receiving credits. The following groups of professionals have been able to use these CEUs in the past; Industrial Hygiene (CIH), Certified Public Health Professional(CPH), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Nursing (RN, LPN), Social Work (LSW), Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT), Audiology (ABA), and others.  Please contact your accrediting agency regarding any questions about receiving credits.

NP’s and RN’s will gain the knowledge and understanding regarding aging in agriculture and Parkinson’s disease impact on agricultural work, driving safety, rural exercise programs as strategies to improve client outcomes.

This webinar is supported by:

Funded under cooperative agreement number UG4LM012345 with the University of North Texas Health Science Center - Gibson D. Lewis Library, and awarded by the DHHS, NIH, National Library of Medicine.