National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety

01/29/2026

Koller Symposium Speaker Spotlight

Andrea Swenson, PhD, Director of the National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety was one of the 4 main speakers at the Koller Symposium today.

Dr. Swenson presented “Injury Assessment and Development of an Injury Prevention Intervention for the Anabaptist Community,” sharing research that centers on culturally responsive approaches to injury prevention. Her work emphasizes collaboration, trust, and tailored solutions to reduce injury risk while respecting community values and practices.

This research embodies the mission of the Koller Internally Funded Research Award, advancing meaningful, prevention-focused research across Wisconsin communities.

01/28/2026

Grandmothers are becoming some of the most influential voices in American food culture. But you can also be influential when it comes to safety! If you are a grandparent, consider starting conversations about farm safety. Your family will listen to you!

WASHINGTON — Grandmothers are becoming some of the most influential voices in American food culture, drawing large audiences by cooking the way they always have....

01/27/2026

The rise of tick-borne diseases in rural farming communities is a critical issue that demands our attention! Research highlights increased risk for outdoor workers in the Northeast, yet awareness and preventive measures remain low. Let’s discuss how we can better protect our farming communities from this escalating threat. What strategies do you think could be effective? https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1059924X.2025.2579639

01/26/2026

2026 is the International Year of the Woman Farmer. Women’s contributions remain undervalued and their working conditions are often more precarious: irregular, informal, part-time, low-paid, labour-intensive, and highly vulnerable. They continue to face systemic barriers, including limited access to land, finance, technologies, education, extension services, and participation in decision-making at all levels. Lets work to keep women safe this year!

JANUARY 2021 Farming is a dangerous and physically demanding job no matter your gender or body type. Even though women are very capable of running farming equipment, they find themselves at a disadvantage when it comes to these tools. Built with a taller, stronger male farmer in mind, most farming

01/23/2026

Get ready for hunting season, Wisconsin! The DNR invites you to register NOW for your hunter education course. 🦌 Whether you're new to hunting or just want to enhance your firearm safety skills, we've got options for everyone!

Anyone born after Jan. 1, 1973 must have a hunter education certificate to buy a license (except under the Mentored Hunting Law). Don’t wait—spots fill up fast!

Choose from in-person or hybrid classes tailored just for you! If you're under 18, remember that traditional or internet + field day formats are required.

Secure your spot today and keep Wisconsin safe while enjoying our great outdoors! 🌲🏞️

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages the public to register for a hunter education course now before courses begin filling up in the...

01/22/2026

Join in on February 10 for Safer Internet Day! 💻✨ Dive into this webinar focused on creating healthy, safe spaces for children and teens. 🛡️ Hear from Special Agent Britney Hays from the Secret Service's Child Safety Outreach, along with Ale Levi and Rene Young from DHS. 📚 Together, they will explore vital programs to protect our youth in a digital world! Don't miss this opportunity to empower and educate. Let’s make safety a priority! 🚸💪

Please join CSN on Safer Internet Day, February 10, 2026, for a webinar on programs aimed at creating healthy and safe spaces for children and adolescents. During this webinar, we will hear from Special Agent Britney Hays from the Secret Service’s Child Safety Outreach Programs, as well as Ale Lev...

01/21/2026

The is returning for Season 5, and our listeners deserve a big shout-out for their continued support. Get ready for brand new topics and phenomenal guests. Our winter bundle of episodes will premiere next week on January 28th! ❄

Catch up on previous episodes from Seasons 1-4 here: gpcah.public-health.uiowa.edu/farmsafe/.

01/20/2026

News from a study on agricultural workers reveal that 70% face musculoskeletal issues! A recent feasibility study on the "Stay Strong, Stay Healthy" program shows how workplace exercise can significantly boost physical and psychosocial health.

With workers engaging in resistance training twice weekly, improvements in pain management and sleep quality were noted! This highlights the crucial role of exercise in enhancing well-being within physically demanding jobs.

Let's advocate for healthier work environments—what are your thoughts on implementing such programs?

https://doi.org/10.1080/1059924X.2025.2579637

01/16/2026

Hey Farm Families! Raising little ones on the farm is a beautiful adventure filled with learning! Here are some quick rules to keep our preschoolers safe:

1️⃣ No Extra Riders Ever!
2️⃣ Stay Out of barns, shops & fields during work.
3️⃣ No Playing Near Grain – it looks like sand, but it’s dangerous.
4️⃣ Always Ask First before touching anything or exploring!

Let’s help our kiddos enjoy farm life safely while making memories together! 💕 www.cultivatesafety.org

01/15/2026

To keep teens safe around cattle, ensure constant adult supervision, teach them to approach animals calmly from the side (avoiding blind spots), always provide an escape route, wear sturdy footwear, and never let them get between mothers and calves or approach bulls/intact males. Educate them on cattle behavior, stress signals, and farm hazards like machinery, while assigning age-appropriate tasks. www.cultivatesafety.org/aywg

01/14/2026

To our young parents or parents of young children: This can be a hard time to farm, but, here are some tips to turn your farm into a "kid-safe" zone. Here’s the scoop: Set crystal-clear rules, grab those walkie-talkies for quick chat (before they have cell phones), and teach the P.A.S.S. method for fire extinguishers— Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep! 🧯✨ Let’s keep our little farmers safe while they dig in the dirt! 💚👩‍🌾 www.cultivatesafety.org