Agricultural and Food System Safety, Health, and Homeland Security

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Program Description

Agriculture now ranks as the nation's most dangerous industry. Other industries such as mining, construction, and manufacturing have improved their injury and death rates more rapidly as a result of investment in prevention resources and increased safety regulatory activity. As an industry, farming has the highest rate of work-related deaths and disability, while the meat-packing industry and other labor-intensive sectors of Minnesota's food economy have the highest rates of nonfatal injuries, including repetitive trauma. Children who live and work on farms are also at elevated risk because of limitations that are based on their physical size and decision-making abilities. Labor issues, including worker safety, have the potential to limit the growth and long-term success of Minnesota's food-related industries.

Recently, because of changes in federal, state, and local funding priorities, our work has expanded to include issues of risk control/management on farms and within processing companies including the risks associated with terrorism, vandalism, and response to emergency events (accidents, fires, natural disasters).

Serving...

• Health professionals (including nurses, physicians, veterinarians, rehabilitation professionals)
• Farmers
• Agricultural and food industry workers
• Rural leaders
• Parents
• Food Processors

Specific Goals

• To create and deliver research-based knowledge to help the agricultural and food industry protect its workers and to ensure the security of our food system from farm to table.

Team Members

• John Shutske, Program Coordinator [info]
• Ruth Rasmussen, RN, MPH, Content Specialist
• Michele Schermann, RN, MS, Content Specialist
• Deen Swart
• Al Rasmussen
• Jennifer Pierquet
• Bufford Ang

Cooperators

• National Center for Food Protection and Defense
• Midwest Center for Occupational Health and Safety
• Center for Public Health Preparedness
• Center for Public Health Education and Outreach
• International Cooperative Zoonotic Influenza Research Center
• National Extension Disaster Education Network
• Center for Animal Health and Food Safety

What we do...

• Agricultural Safety and Health Website
• Professional Education
  • Caring for Farm Families
  • Workshops/Courses at Public Health Institute
  • Ag Safety/Health Educational Resource Center
• Prevention
  • Minnesota AgrAbility Project
  • Safety/Health for Farming Communities
  • Targeted education for specific commodity groups/media
• Preparedness
  • Protecting our Food System from Attack
  • FoodShield
  • FSI Minnesota
  • Agricultural Heritage Assurance projects

At a glance:

Agricultural Safety and Health Website

Printable Info Sheet