Agricultural Health and Safety for New Century Topic of Nov. 5-6 Conference at Colorado State’s High Plains Intermountain Center

Author and radio commentator Dr. Marc Ringel and other experts on rural health and safety will look at farm safety issues at a regional conference at Colorado State University Nov. 5-6.

Hosted by the High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety at Colorado State, the conference will include presentations, displays and a luncheon address by Ringel, a practicing rural physician and commentator on Public Radio International’s "Marketplace" and on KUNC-FM in Greeley. Ringel will talk about "Things I’ve Learned About Rural Health at the PTO (power take-off) and Other Joints."

A general morning session Nov. 5 will examine "Implementing an Agricultural Comprehensive Cost Dividend Program" and "Agricultural-Related Injuries in North Dakota." That afternoon, speakers will address "Farm Partners for a Safer Community" and "Research Advances in Agricultural Health and Safety."

Friday morning’s general session will consider "Migrant and Non-Migrant Consumers Speak Out on Their Perceptions of Farm-Safety Issues," which will include the perspectives of growers, consumers, commodity groups and youth and migrant farm workers, and "Reducing Traumatic Injuries and Carbon Monoxide Exposures in Potato Workers."

The conference, with the theme "Sharing Strategies for a New Century," also will consider hantavirus, all terrain vehicles, safety on the farm, model farm youth-education programs, distance learning, cooperative extension and farm safety and the Farm Bureau’s youth education programs. The conference is designed for farmers, agricultural workers, health professionals and others from Colorado, Montana, North and South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming.

Demonstrations Friday morning will consider model agricultural health and safety programs, activities, videos and new technologies. Posters and displays will be available for viewing on Thursday.

The High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety, one of nine national centers, was established in 1991 with a grant from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.

The center seeks to reduce or eliminate accidents and injuries, disease and death resulting from agricultural operations by educating farmers and ranchers and the people who work with them. Center staff also carry out research, preventive services including hazard evaluation and control and medical diagnostic services.

Conference activities will be held in the Cherokee Park Room of Lory Student Center on the Colorado State campus all day Thursday and Friday morning.

Pre-registration is encouraged. The cost is $30 per person and includes coffee, lunch and social gatherings. Registration is available at the door. The conference will run from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 5 and 8:30-11:45 a.m. Nov. 6.

For more information or registration, call (800) 622-8673 or (970) 491-1912, or e-mail the High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety at hicahs@lamar.colostate.edu.