Farm Medicine

National Farm Medicine Center named ‘Friend of Agriculture’

Mon, 04 Jun 2018 13:34:54 GMT

The Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MACCI) honored the National Farm Medicine Center with its “2018 Friend of Agriculture Award,” June 1, during the Mayor’s Dairy Breakfast at the Central Wisconsin State Fairgrounds in Marshfield.

Making the presentation was Sheila Harsdorf, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

“It is such an honor to accept this on behalf of our National Farm Medicine Center team and Marshfield Clinic Health System,” said Barbara Lee, Ph.D., director of the Farm Center. “We rely on farmers and the community to make our research meaningful, so that it has an impact on agricultural safety and health. We feel privileged to have that relationship, and to receive this award.”

Joining the Farm Center team at the presentation were Health System CEO Susan Turney, M.D. and Chief of Staff Melissa Breen.

Since 2007, MACCI has recognized a family, business or organization that strongly supports agriculture in the Marshfield area.

Youth grain handling safety resources more important than ever

Wed, 14 Dec 2016 18:42:57 GMT

The recent death of a 16-year-old South Dakota boy in a grain bin incident is a grim reminder of the hazards of grain handling.

“Tragedies like this motivate safety people to work even harder,” said Marsha Salzwedel, M.S., Agricultural Youth Safety Specialist with the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety, part of Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation, Marshfield, Wis.

On the same day that Salzwedel presented a grain handling safety talk in Indianapolis during the National FFA Convention, Taylor Watzel, an FFA student from Winner, S.D., became trapped in a grain bin. He died from his injuries the next day, Oct. 19.

“If we can get people to use these resources, we can prevent incidents like the one with Taylor from happening in the future,” Salzwedel added.The resources highlighted in her talk are available at https://www.marshfieldresearch.org/nccrahs/grainsafety.

Salzwedel shared information about youth agricultural work guidelines, as well as the curriculum she developed with the Grain Handling Safety Coalition, during a general session of the National Association of Supervisors of Agricultural Education, held in conjunction with the FFA Convention.

“The work guidelines can be used in supervised agricultural experiences or by anyone supervising young workers to determine if a youth is able to perform a job safely,” Salzwedel said. “When working with grain, adding the curriculum enhances youth safety. We want to educate youth about flowing grain hazards, but we also want the adults supervising the youth to make sure the young people are doing age appropriate work.”

Salzwedel and Education Outreach Specialist Tammy Ellis staffed the National Farm Medicine Center exhibit at the convention, where they engaged more than 2,700 students and FFA advisers, discussing safety resources and strategies that prevent agricultural injuries and fatalities.

Link to the release HERE.

Progressive Ag Safety Day

Wed, 14 Dec 2016 18:26:47 GMT

Progressive Agriculture Safety Days® are as fun as they are educational. These one-day events teach children lessons that help keep them and those around them safe and healthy. While the basic program is designed for 8- to 13-year-old children, Safety Days may adjusted to accommodate younger children or entire families.

Global health at UW-Madison: A (air quality) to Z (zoonoses)

Thu, 02 Jul 2015 12:41:48 GMT

Christopher W. Olsen is Professor of Public Health in the Department of Pathobiological Sciences at the School of Veterinary Medicine and Associate Director for One Health of the Global Health Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (Acting Director 2014-2015). He is also affiliated with the Master of Public Health degree program and a member of the MPH Advisory Committee; and, a member of the UW-Madison Morgridge Center for Public Service and Wisconsin Without Borders Advisory Committees, and the Division of International Studies Academic Planning Council.

Dr. Olsen received his DVM and PhD degrees from Cornell University and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the UW-Madison. From 2007-2012 he served as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the School of Veterinary Medicine, and from September 2012 through June 2014, he served as Interim Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning for the UW-Madison.

Dr. Olsen’s research has focused on public health aspects of influenza in animals and the viral and host factors that control transmission of influenza viruses among people and animals. More generally, he has strong educational interests in zoonotic infectious diseases, in building bridges between the veterinary medical and human medical professions, and in promoting an cross-disciplinary One Health approach for global and public health. He has published more than 65 refereed research and educational journal articles, as well as numerous proceedings and book chapters. He is also the recipient of several faculty honors, including election to the University of Wisconsin-Madison Teaching Academy, and the School of Veterinary Medicine’s Norden Distinguished Teacher Award and Walter F. Renk Distinguished Professor Award.

*This presentation will be available for viewing online at your convenience via Marshfield Clinic’s MediaSite: http://mediasite01a.mfldclin.edu/Mediasite/Play/5ad6a7d44cad4c1280caa20bed5c3ae81d

National Children's Center receives major grant for agriculture safety

Wed, 08 Oct 2014 18:35:56 GMT

Farm parents, insurers, youth organizations and others increasingly turn to the unique capabilities of the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety, to help ensure the safety of the next generation of farmers.

Recognizing the role played by the National Children’s Center in the steady decline of childhood agricultural nonfatal injury rates over the past decade, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) announced Sept. 25 that it’s awarding the Center a $1.2 million per year competitive grant renewal for a five-year cycle.

NIOSH has funded the National Children’s Center since 1997. It also is supported by Marshfield Clinic and through generous donations and other grants.

The National Children’s Center is a program of the National Farm Medicine Center, Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation (MCRF).

“This major award will significantly expand our efforts to integrate proven safety strategies into programs of organizations and businesses that are best-positioned to influence the safety of children living and working on farms,” said Barbara Lee, Ph.D., National Children’s Center director. “We expect to facilitate partnerships with private sector organizations such as agricultural employer associations, insurance companies, bankers and youth-serving groups. We want to ensure that optimal safety interventions and guidelines are sustained beyond the span of the grant period.

“Innovative approaches will address safety for beginning farmers and ranchers; child care services for migrant and seasonal farm worker parents; and supervisor training of youth hired for agricultural employment.”

While the overall decrease in childhood nonfatal injury rates is encouraging, a child is killed in a farm accident an average of every three days, indicating there’s work to be done. Also of concern is the injury rate for children younger than age 10 is increasing.

The new NIOSH grant includes seven distinct projects, along with administrative, scientific and evaluation oversight. Principal investigators from MCRF include Lee; Barbara Marlenga, Ph.D.; Matthew Keifer, M.D.; and Casper Bendixsen, Ph.D. External principal investigators include Amy K. Liebman, Migrant Clinicians Network; Dennis Murphy, Ph.D., Penn State University; and Diane Rohlman, Ph.D., University of Iowa.

NFMC Plays Life-Saving Role at WI Farm Technology Days

Thu, 11 Sep 2014 17:45:24 GMT

Two significant threats to the farm population's well-being -- skin cancer and tractor rollovers -- were addressed by the NFMC during its largest outreach event of the year, August 12-14, at Wisconsin Farm Technology Days. More than 600 visitors received skin cancer screening and 75 individuals enrolled in the Wisconsin Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS) Rebate Program.

Twenty-four physicians, allied providers and staff from the Marshfield Clinic Dermatology Department, along with 10 Farm Center scientists and staff, volunteered for the three-day event held near Stevens Point.

NFMC Education Outreach Specialist Tammy Ellis began working with counterparts in Clinic Dermatology and Corporate Communications in March to ensure a smooth-running effort. "We tried to make it as easy as possible to take advantage of these services," Ellis said. "We had some people tell us that the last time they got screened for skin cancer was when we screened at Farm Tech Days in Clark County (2005) and Marathon County (2011). That shows how important this initiative is to central Wisconsin residents."

Said Dr. Erik Stratman, Chair of the Clinic Dermatology Department: "I don't think the farming community always seeks timely health care. This screening can provide the push they might need. I think we saved at least five lives today."

“Farmers are busy people,” said Dr. Alexandra Carley, “and screening where they are makes sense.” “Screenings also are valuable in that they give potential Marshfield Clinic patients a point-of-access to care,” said Dr. Thomas McIntee.

Dr. Matthew Keifer, NFMC director, sees Farm Technology Days as a great opportunity for the Farm Center and Marshfield Clinic to cure disease. “Of all the cancers farmers are at risk for, skin cancer is the No. 1 cancer that can be diagnosed quickly and cured,” Dr. Keifer said.

Dr. Barbara Marlenga and Ellis lead the Wisconsin Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS) Rebate Program, which has installed more than 70 ROPS in its first 18 months. Dr. Marlenga said promotion of the ROPS program is having an impact. Many farmers who enrolled during Farm Technology Days said they read about the program in special Farm Tech Days supplements published the week before in state ag magazines. “They came here to sign up – they already knew about the program,” Dr. Marlenga said.

Auction of Champions

Tue, 09 Sep 2014 17:38:09 GMT

We hope you will be a part of Marshfield Clinic's premier, black-tie event, Auction of Champions. Since its inception in 1982, the Auction has raised more than $3 million for the National Farm Medicine Center at Marshfield Clinic, an invaluable resource for the agricultural industry in Wisconsin.

Preview the Silent and Live Auction items you can win

Silent Auction Items

Live Auction Items

The event will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2014 in Marshfield. There will be a silent auction and cocktail reception, followed by dinner and live auction.

Over the past year, The National Farm Medicine Center has been able to:

Provide community outreach programs such as free bilingual safety training of Hispanic dairy workers, presentations and training to agritourism operators, skin cancer screenings, and exhibit at farm shows and professional conferences.
Conduct the Wisconsin Infant Study Cohort, which examines the link between a farm upbringing and stronger immunity. The objective is to identify key microbial exposures on farms that aid in immunity and offer exposure to non-farm children to reduce rates of respiratory illnesses.
Continue the Rollover Protective Structures (ROPS) Rebate program, which provides financial support to encourage farmers to install a ROPS system on older tractors. When used with seatbelts, ROPS are 99% effective at protecting farmers during tractor rollovers which is the leading cause of deaths on farms.

A three-minute video explaining the need for a tractor rollover protection program (produced by Media Services) can be viewed on the National Farm Medicine Center’s home page.

For additional information please contact us:

Marshfield Clinic
Development Department
1000 North Oak Ave - 1R1
Marshfield, WI 54449-5777
1-800-858-5220

giving@marshfieldclinic.org