Dr. Skidmore, Dr. Mencer, and Dr. Mary Smith, their OTD advisor, were selected to present their work at the American Occupational Therapy Association conference in Kansas City, Missouri. This event is the premiere occupational therapy conference in the nation where thousands of occupational therapists around the country meet to gain resources and continuing education.

Dr. Mencer, Dr. Skidmore, and Dr. Smith presented their project and research findings which included creating and evaluating a course for Occupational Therapists and rural health practitioners to better serve farmers and ranchers with a disability.  Modules cover assessment, agriculture tasks, hazard safety, common conditions, ergonomics, assistive technology, modifications, and resources. Six occupational therapy continuing education hours are offered through the Texas Occupational Therapy Association for completion of the course. Dr. Skidmore developed the course objectives and content with input from Dr. Mary Smith and the Texas AgrAbility staff, while Dr. Mencer evaluated the effectiveness of the training. Thirty-nine occupational therapists and rural health practitioners have enrolled in the course since 2021. Results show that individuals who have completed the course increased their knowledge 31.5%.

For more information about the course and how to enroll, click here. 

The post Texas AgrAbility Highlighted at American Occupational Therapy Association Conference appeared first on Texas AgrAbility.

It’s been a tough year. You know working in agriculture is often stressful. Things like the economy, finances, weather, and even a pandemic increase our stress levels and can leave us feeling defeated and hopeless.

Texas agricultural producers and farmworkers are hard workers and represent an unyielding force that suffers backbreaking work to provide for others. Unfortunately, the agriculture industry is considered one of the top occupations with the highest percentage of deaths by suicide. Key factors contributing to these rates include financial losses, chronic illness or pain, a sense of work-life imbalance, and physical or social barriers to accessing mental health services. Agricultural occupations are vulnerable to circumstances that are out of their control, such as unpredictable weather patterns, falling market prices, and labor shortages.

Even if a farmer or rancher attempts to seek mental health care, they generally reside in rural areas. In Texas, 75% of the 406 federal Mental Health Professional Shortage Area (MHPSA) designations are in rural areas. Therefore, Texas farmers and ranchers who may be in the greatest need of any occupational group are going without vital mental health services.

To help address the unique stressors faced by agricultural producers, the Texas Department of Agriculture is working alongside the Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention and Education (SW Ag Center) and the AgriSafe Network to create the Texas Farmer’s Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Program.

The SW Ag Center has produced a multimedia campaign with hopeful messages, stress assistance resources, and training for farmers and ranchers faced with the challenges of extreme weather and the pandemic. The campaign, Seasons Change | You Remain, aims to shed light on mental health and bring awareness to the signs and symptoms of stress and its negative toll on our minds and bodies. According to the CDC, the suicide rate of those in agriculture is greater than the general population. Knowing the warning signs of suicide could save a life.

To date, these messages are distributed electronically through social media platforms, agricultural radio, and TV, and YouTube and have been shared many times. Brochures, posters, wallet cards, and rubber bracelets, postcards have been part of direct mailings to producers, TDA field reps, agricultural extension agents, hospitals, rural health clinics, and stock shows. To learn more about the campaign or to find resources and training, visit farmlifehelp.com.

The AgriSafe Network is the TDA partner in the program that developed and maintains the AgriStress Helpline. The AgriStress Helpline is:

• Staffed by credentialed professionals trained in the FarmResponse curriculum to respond appropriately to the agricultural community. FarmResponse is a program developed by experts in mental health, agriculture production, mediation, and financial analysis. To date, AgriSafe has trained 250 mental health professionals serving Texans in the FarmResponse curriculum.
• Utilizes a “care navigation” process that

a) triages for safety with crisis intervention and response

b) follows up with crisis callers within 24 hours of their initial call

c) directs callers to the appropriate resources for their situation.

Although we can’t always control or choose our circumstances, we can control and choose how we respond to them. Sometimes that response looks like asking for help. The AgriStress Helpline is 833-897-2474 and is available 24/7 via text or phone to the agricultural community, including family and friends.

Some would say the best quality of a farmer or rancher is their independent spirit, but what is agriculture without its community? A force of helpers, neighbors, extension and farm bureau agents, friends, counselors, and pastors. We are stronger together.

If you or a loved one is experiencing signs of stress, please call the AgriStress Helpline @ 833-897-2474. A professional trained to meet agricultural workers’ specific needs will be available to assist you.

Contributors: Shelbie Lambert, MPH | Outreach Education Coordinator, SW Ag Center

Natalie Roy, Executive Director, The AgriSafe Network

Compiled by: The State Office of Rural Health

The post AgriStress Helpline appeared first on Texas AgrAbility.

Photo Credit: National Archives Hispanic American Heritage

Hispanic Heritage Month: the very word, “heritage,” reminds us to reflect on the past and pay tribute to those who made history and paved the way for future generations. This month, we recognize the hard work of the thousands of immigrants who have participated in America’s agricultural tradition at all levels of production, from corn farms to citrus groves and everything in between. As a whole, their contribution to farm labor deserves to be recognized and appreciated.

Click here for the full story from AgAmerica Lending 

The post Honoring the contributions of Hispanic farmers for National Hispanic Heritage Month appeared first on Texas AgrAbility.

Photo Credit: USDA from Successful Farming Magazine

Many cases of back pain can be attributed to whole-body vibration (WBV), which occurs when the shaking motion of a vehicle is transmitted through the body of the operator, potentially damaging the musculoskeletal, circulatory, and nervous systems.

Click here for the full story from Successful Farming Magazine

The post Back Pain Can Be Attributed to Whole Body Vibrations appeared first on Texas AgrAbility.

Authored by Tamika Sims, PhD:

Larry Itliong: A Leader in Securing Farm Workers’ Rights

Many of us may never have heard of the “Delano Grape Strike of 1965,” but this significant farm-worker strike helped reform labor laws in America. A Filipino immigrant named Larry Itliong led the organization of the strike following his direction of the Asparagus strike of 1948. Itliong had also founded the Filipino Farm Labor Union in Stockton, California, in 1956. Itliong’s efforts over the years led to significant changes in farm worker benefits, including higher pay, medical insurance, and enhanced safety precautions for pesticide applications in farming.

Itliong also contributed to the founding of the United Farm Workers of America, a merger of two previous workers’ rights organizations (the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC), led by Itliong, and the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), led by César Chávez and Dolores Huerta, two notable Latine civil rights activists who also made great strides in reshaping worker rights in the 1950s and 1960s). Today, UFW has expanded its reach beyond California to help even more workers. As the UFW website states, “the UFW continues its activism in major agricultural sectors, chiefly in California. UFW contract agreements protect thousands of vegetable, berry, winery, tomato, and dairy workers in California, Oregon, and Washington state.”

Changhe Zhou: An Ag Researcher Turned Farmer

It’s not every day that an esteemed researcher gives up their lab work to spend more time in nature and grow their own food. But Dr. Changhe Zhou, a scientist who once worked at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Fruit and Vegetable Laboratory in Maryland and as a researcher at Virginia Tech University, decided to quit his more-traditional job in 2016 and is now a full-time farmer in North Carolina. Zhou’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in vegetable science, a master’s degree in plant pathology, and a doctorate in fruit science. His education, alongside his desire to grow his own winter melon and hon tsai tai (an indigenous produce in his homeland of Henan Province in central China), laid a strong foundation for Dr. Zhou to successfully manage the type of farm he had longed for since his childhood (both his parents were also farmers).

Today, Dr. Zhou’s Huanong Ecorganic Farm in Hurdle Mills, North Carolina, grows more than 50 species of Asian produce and sells them in various farmers’ markets in North Carolina. Zhou believes in a “hands-on approach” that allows naturally occurring wildlife elements such as insects and weeds to aid, rather than hinder, crop growth. In a recent interview, Dr. Zhou said this about his farming practices: “For farmers you have to first do everything by yourself so you know what’s going on—what’s tricky, what’s good, what’s bad, how do we improve …. So even though I was a professor, I still do everything by myself.” Because Dr. Zhou’s farm is “ecorganic,” there are no pesticides, fertilizers, or manures used to control for pests or enhance the growth of plants. Drawing on his background in plant sciences, Dr. Zhou has crafted an environment in which he can use natural elements to support both crop protection and development.

The post AAPI Heritage Month: Celebrating Asian Contributions to Farming appeared first on Texas AgrAbility.

• working in an isolated context;
• lacking legal immigration status or having only a temporary work visa;
• working in a male-dominated job; and
• working in a setting with significant power differentials.

Photo Credit: Equitable Food Initiative

Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) is using April to shine a light on this important topic. Several studies have found that 75%-80% of female farmworkers have experienced sexual harassment at work, compared to 50% in non-agricultural office settings as reported by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

The EFI website offers statistics, facts and study citations on harassment at work, links to access the ¡Basta! Preventing Sexual Harassment toolkit, which features videos in both English and Spanish, and educational materials that can be used in workplaces (posters, shareable graphics and a detailed fact sheet). The information and resources can be found at equitablefood.org/harassment, and all are provided free of charge.

The post April is Sexual Harassment Awareness & Prevention Month appeared first on Texas AgrAbility.

The BattleGround to Breaking Ground program trains and educates veterans, active-duty military, and other beginning farmers and ranchers like Chris and Theda to start or expand agriculture businesses. Learn more about applying to the program here.

The post BattleGround to Breaking Ground Graduates Utilize NRCS to Grow their Ranch appeared first on Texas AgrAbility.

1. Improve Your Farm’s Sustainability by Exploring Innovative Technology

From sensors and drones to self-driving and GPS enabled tractors, farmers are using technology to their advantage to produce food more sustainably. Agricultural technology is not limited to large-scale farming corporations, though. Several technologies are available to small farmers that can make a huge difference, from managing sales to testing soil health. Here is a list of impactful technologies to implement around your farm.

2. Prioritize Your Physical and Mental Health

Agricultural work can be both physically and mentally draining. If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety, depression, or another mental health challenge, you are not alone. Here are a few ideas to prioritize your health as an agricultural producer:

• Take the beginning of 2022 to create a schedule as to when you’ll take some time for yourself and your family.
• Take care of your body through regular exercise. This not only helps your physical health, but can reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety.
• Ask for and offer help if needed by assessing your mental health. Participating in mental health training, especially for rural communities, can be beneficial for agricultural workers.
• Make time to do something fun at least once a week. Having interests outside of the farm can bring you happiness.

3. Keep Better Track of Your Farm Records

Successful farm managers establish a record-keeping system and strategically maintain accurate records. The New Year is a perfect time to improve your bookkeeping skills to help plan for the rest of 2022 and beyond. Aside from tracking your expenditures and income, evaluating which products work best for you financially is key. Using available resources such as other farmers, your county extension office, and educational information from organizations such as SARE and USDA is also necessary for good record-keeping.

4. Support the Farming Community

Farmers are a tight knit group and can rely on one another for support. The New Year is a great opportunity to become a vendor at a local farmer’s market, join an online forum or group of producers, or actively engage in social media platforms to promote your farm and the local operations in your community.

The post Practical New Year’s Resolutions for Farmers and Ranchers appeared first on Texas AgrAbility.

Photo Credit: USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Check out the full story here

The post NIFA Celebrates AgrAbility’s 30 Year Anniversary appeared first on Texas AgrAbility.

“What Does Veterans Day Mean to You?”

Each year on November 11, our nation comes together to celebrate the military members and veterans who have so bravely served our country. We asked our team members to reflect on what this holiday means to them, and invite you to do the same. Some of these individuals have family members that serve; others have served themselves. Regardless of their personal stories, all of them believe this is an important day to thank and celebrate those who fight to keep us safe.

I am a first generation American and even though, through the years I admired my parents for giving my siblings and I the basics in life, I admire our Veterans (those past, present, and future), for giving me the freedom to worship, work, play and travel. Those of us who are not Veterans will never know that sacrifice.

Elizabeth Gandara-Castillo

To me Veterans Day is a reminder not only that this day is dedicated to honor the sacrifices of so many brave men and women, but also to remember all those that have willingly given so much and still give so much each day. It reminds me to be grateful, humbled, and awe struck by you and your families’ continued service every day. I am deeply and eternally grateful for the heroes you have been, the warriors you are, and the family you will always be.

Erin Kimbrough

Veterans Day is a special time for us to remember all those that have made the supreme sacrifice for our freedom and for all the benefits of living in this great country. My three year stint in the Army was nothing compared to the ultimate sacrifice so many made with their lives on our behalf. Our prayers go out to all of the veterans and their families for their unselfish commitment to something bigger than all of us. May we all continue to provide veterans the respect and benefits they deserve for what they have done on our behalf. God Bless them all and God Bless the USA.

Greg Clary, Active Army, 1970-1973, Army Reserves, 1973-1978

“Although I did not serve, Veterans Day is a way to honor those who have. Working with disabled veterans has opened my eyes to the immense sacrifices our service men and women have made for my freedom. I have only known a life where I could speak freely, believe freely, and live without fear, and for this, I owe our nation’s veterans. Thank you!”

Makenzie Thomas

Veterans Day is a day for me to publicly interact with other veterans and thank them for their sacrifices made on behalf of our great nation. Privately it is time for me to reflect upon my time in service and to remember that I made it home and I should spend my remaining time on this planet with my family and leave this a better place than I found it.

Doug Havemann, 11 years in the U.S. Army

It’s a day to honor and remember all of our brave service men and women who have served this country! It reminds me of my family and friends who have sacrificed so much to ensure my safety. It also highlights the selflessness of those who served who were willing to protect this country and the lives of people they didn’t even know.

Faye McGuire

Veterans Day means to me a day that thanks and honors those who gave us all a gift that is completely priceless, and I can’t thank them enough for their bravery!

Claire Scheppler

To me, November 11th is a day that we celebrate and honor those who have served to protect the United States. Veterans Day serves as a reminder that our freedom is not free, brave men and women give their lives for our freedom and we should not take those little things in life for granted. It is a special feeling knowing that our nation comes together to honor these Veterans.

Hannah Watts

As a civilian, Veterans Day is a reminder for me to recognize the sacrifices our service members have made by taking part in something much bigger than themselves. No other commitment is as valuable to our country. This day also represents a chance to educate ourselves on the challenges facing many veterans, and how we can ensure these individuals have the best possible chance of thriving after their service.

Kelby Kosel

~

Roughly one in five veterans experiences mental health problems, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depression, and anxiety. Below are a few resources you can use to educate yourself on mental health awareness:

• Mental Health First Aid
• Military Families Learning Network

On behalf of the Texas AgrAbility and BattleGround to Breaking Ground team, thank you, veterans, for your sacrifice and service to our nation.

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