Resources

I remember the profound surprise I experienced after the birth of my twins: I was in the company of strangers. Despite the nine months of growing awareness of the beings within me, as they hiccupped, rolled around, and used my kidneys as a trampoline, here they were in the world: perfect little beings I did […]

Later this month, Wisconsin’s Governor will issue his proclamation for “Wisconsin Farm Safety and Health Week,” a tradition started a few years ago to parallel National Farm Safety and Health Week, first proclaimed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944. The theme of this year’s observation is, “Protecting Agriculture’s Future.”

So, this has probably happened to all of is. You wake in the middle of the night to hear a violent downpour of rain, when things were already flooded and sloppy and you know you are already two weeks behind on field work. Or, the opposite-you watched the radar all day knowing that there’s no […]

The Deere equipment line up was a huge draw for our 2008 farm auction back in Indiana. I’ve spent the last week debating whether or not it was a good idea to write my thoughts into an article like this. In the 50+ years my Dad farmed, he was a loyal John Deere customer. We […]

The Water We Swim In Learn to recognize the “water we swim in” (our culture) and how it contributes to both helpful and unhelpful attitudes and beliefs related to physical, mental, and behavioral health and well-being. Workshop General Information Primary Audience: General Community Workshop Length: 90 Minutes Minimum Audience: At Least 10 People Maximum Audience: […]

COMET A workshop teaching people how to intervene when they encounter someone who is in a “vulnerable space” and help shift the person’s mental health trajectory back to a place of wellness instead of proceeding towards a mental health crisis. Workshop General Information Primary Audience: General Community Workshop Length: 2 Hours Minimum Audience: At Least […]

SafeTalk At a safeTALK workshop, you’ll learn how to prevent suicide by recognizing the signs of someone struggling with thoughts of suicide, learn to engage them so they tell their story, and identify resources to connect them to for further support. Workshop General Information Primary Audience: General Community Workshop Length: 3.5 Hours Minimum Audience: At […]

WeCope — Full Program A seven-week, practice and skills based program featuring 11 targeted activities and “practices” that can measurable improve mental and physical health, happiness, and overall well-being. Requires seven one-hour sessions. Training & Workshop General Information Primary Audience: General Ag – Farmers/Ag Service Class Length: 30 – 60 Minutes Minimum Audience: 20 People […]

Breaking the Cycle of Chronic Farm Stress Discussion of the impact of farm stress on health, relationships and decision making, and five key actions to break the cycles of chronic stress Training & Workshop General Information Primary Audience: General Ag – Farmers/Ag Service Class Length: 30 – 60 Minutes Minimum Audience: 30 People Maximum Audience: […]

Farm Health and Safety Introduction An overview of farm injury and workplace health concerns with basic strategies for preventing “accidents” and health issues connected to farm workplace hazards Training & Workshop General Information Primary Audience: General Ag – Farmers/Ag Service Workshop Length: 30 – 60 Minutes Minimum Audience: 30 People Maximum Audience: No Maximum Format: […]

Caring for Farm Families An introduction to workplace health and injury concerns, unique risk factors, and things that health professionals can do to assist with prevention, treatment, and consultation. In rural communities, health professionals including physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician’s assistants, social workers, and physical therapists are often among the first to see and care […]

Five Must-Do Actions to Protect Farm Workers and Farm Families Shorter, target/focused review of critical farm safety actions based on recent reported injury and work-related fatality cases. Focus is on action and setting priorities for investments of time and dollars. Training & Workshop General Information Primary Audience: Farmers Workshop Length: 30 Minutes or Less Minimum […]

Dangers in the Air on the Farm Background presentation on important and unique farm respiratory hazards and best management practices to reduce hazard levels and protect workers. Includes coverage of silo gas, manure gases (hydrogen sulfide, methane, ammonia), carbon monoxide, grain dust, molds, and pesticides. Training & Workshop General Information Primary Audience: Farmers Workshop Length: […]

We-Cope — Sampler Will cover one, two or three selected practice and skills based program featuring 11 targeted activities and “practices” that can measurable improve mental and physical health, happiness, and overall well-being. Training & Workshop General Information Primary Audience: General Ag – Farmers/Ag Service Workshop Length: 30 – 60 Minutes Minimum Audience: 30 People […]

We-Cope – Bookend Program — Over two weeks (session-practice-session) Two We-Cope sessions (audience/planners choose) with practice week “in between” for practice and reflection of skills learned in week one. Examples might be: Gratitude, Noticing, Savoring in week one Goal setting and planning in week two Training & Workshop General Information Primary Audience: General Ag – […]

Developing a Customized Farm Safety & Health Management Plan Having a comprehensive agricultural safety and health management “plan” is a great way for employers to keep well-organized and their employees healthy and safe. A huge bonus is that these plans are valued by insurers, regulators, and hired employees. Many insurers on large farms either require […]

The new year is upon us. Most of us are eager to get on with another year, armed with a list of resolutions and a to-list that can be daunting. Planning for another year, the coming growing season, getting all our financials in order, and moving forward is important. But, it’s also important for our well-being and mental health to occasionally reflect on all the great things we have (often through practices of gratitude) and all we’ve accomplished in the past 12 months. To help you with your 2022 “to do” list, consider also reflecting on 2021 and make a short list of all the great things you got done! It feels good. It can also remind us of all the skills we’ve built and strengths we needed to accomplish all the things you got done.

WeCOPE: Express Gratitude, Notice and Savor Over the last year, I’ve been deeply involved in a new program called WeCOPE (Connecting with Our Positive Emotions). Over the course of seven one-hour sessions, WeCOPE helps people develop skills and practices that research shows improves overall well-being, physical health, stress levels and happiness. Thanks to a partnership […]

Stress comes in all shapes and forms on a farm: ornery & difficult livestock, broken down equipment, untimely poor weather and difficult issues in the household. These stressors and situations can often times be magnified when poor emotional communication skills are used when discussing a problem or conflict.

A John Deere crests the top of a hill while harvesting chickpeas in early fall. Farm Safety Yields Results Since 1944, the U.S. president has proclaimed one week of the year to be National Farm Safety and Health Week (NFSHW). This year, as in others, the governor of Wisconsin has also done so. Marking the […]

FARMing Your Safety Goals Most farmers I know have a clear understanding of how dangerous farming can be and can easily recite a full checklist of work-related hazards that can, or have caused serious injuries, disability, and even death.  In my 35 years as an agricultural-safety specialist, and having grown up on a family farm […]