AgriSafe Network

2022 Safety and Health Workshop for Youth Working in Ag
2022-09-28 11:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago)
Join us the National Children’s Center…for this virtual workshop and learn how you can help safeguard youth who work on farms and ranches. Sessions will focus on the benefits and risks to youth working in agriculture, illness and injury prevention strategies, youth mental health, and parent/supervisor information and training. Use what you learn to develop and enhance childhood agricultural safety strategies for your organization.
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Invest in Your Health Week: Tools for Ag Educators
2022-10-17 - 2022-10-21
Register Now
Register for the entire week and attend as many webinars as you can! The recordings will be available for the ones you miss.
Monday, October 17, 2022 @ 12pm-1pm CT
Say What? Protecting Your Hearing
This Invest in Your Health: Train the Trainer course is designed for teachers, Extension staff, 4H and FFA leaders, and others who work with young adults. The young ag producer works in an environment with noise hazards and plays in an environment with noise hazards. Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is common (and preventable) but unfortunately, the use of hearing protection among youth is not.
Tuesday, October 18, 2022 @ 12pm-1pm CT
Cultivating a Healthy Mind – Mental Wellness for Youth
Stigma exists across all age groups for those struggling with mental health. Navigation of the teen years in everyday situations can create angst and uncomfortable feelings that are difficult to express. Adding mental illness and mental crisis to a teen or young adult’s typical growth and development makes struggling with emotions, relationships, academic success, and safety more challenging. According to the CDC, rates of depression and anxiety climb significantly during the ages of 12-17. Suicide is the second leading cause of death of youths in the United States. This module opens an introductory discussion of mental health among teens and young adults with guidance from an adult educator. Focus is placed on decreasing stigma, improving mental health literacy, and positive coping skills for teens and young adults. The module showcases a high school agricultural student’s understanding of the agricultural mental health crisis, helping to frame mental health distress to academic and future career success.
Wednesday, October 19, 2022 @12pm-1pm CT
Stop Zoonosis in its Tracks – Prevention of Zoonosis
Agricultural producers are at high risk for acquiring a zoonotic disease related to their work environment with minimal information related to risks, symptoms and prevention. The majority of emerging infectious diseases in the U.S. are zoonotic in nature. They are often difficult to determine and many go unreported for a variety of reasons.
Thursday, October 20, 2022 @ 12pm-1pm CT
Where Y’at – Using Mapping to Define Hazards in Agriculture
Participants will learn about the Hazard Mapping curriculum and will be given access to all teacher and student materials after completing the webinar. A Hazard Map is a visual representation of the workplace where there are hazards that could cause injuries or illness. The Hazard Mapping method draws on what students know from their farming experience. The Hazard Mapping approach works best when conducted among a small group of students with some similarity in their work and exposures.
Friday, October 21, 2022 @ 12pm-1pm CT
Cover Up! Head to Toe Personal Protective Equipment
This Train the Trainer course is designed for teachers, Extension staff, 4H and FFA leaders and others who work with young adults.
Agriculture is ranked as one of the most dangerous occupations and involves workers and family members of all ages. Illness and injuries can be prevented if we use the right protective equipment for the job. This program will present an overview of common exposures in farming and ranching and identify appropriate personal protective equipment.

Webinar: Cultivating a Healthy Mind - Mental Wellness for Youth Train the Trainer
2024-03-12 15:00 - 16:00
Summary: Stigma exists across all age groups for those struggling with mental health. Navigation of the teen years in everyday situations can create angst and uncomfortable feelings that are difficult to express. Adding mental illness and mental crisis to a teen or young adult’s typical growth and development makes struggling with emotions, relationships, academic success, and safety more challenging. According to the CDC, rates of depression and anxiety climb significantly during the ages of 12-17. Suicide is the second leading cause of death of youths in the United States. This module opens an introductory discussion of mental health among teens and young adults with guidance from an adult educator. Focus is placed on decreasing stigma, improving mental health literacy, and positive coping skills for teens and young adults. The module showcases a high school agricultural student’s understanding of the agricultural mental health crisis, helping to frame mental health distress to academic and future career success.
Objectives: After the module, teens and young adults will be able to….

Understand the relationship of mental health to physical health and academic or career success
Recognize basic signs or symptoms that present when young adults experience mental stress
Identify healthy and unhealthy coping behaviors when faced with mental distress
Communicate their concerns when suspecting they or someone they know is experiencing a mental health crisis

Intended Audience: This Train the Trainer course is designed for teachers, Extension staff, 4H and FFA leaders and others who work with young adults.
Watch the Recording Here

Webinar: Invest in Your Health - Cover Up! A Train the Trainer Program
2024-03-13 15:00 - 16:00
Summary: Agriculture is ranked as one of the most dangerous occupations and involves workers and families of all ages, but injuries can be prevented if we use the right protective equipment for the job. This program will present an overview of common exposures in farming and ranching. Students can discuss those exposures and determine the appropriate protective gear for each scenario. In addition, there is one case study presenting common multiple exposures that young people experience are included for discussion. A video is also included for classroom use.
Intended Audience: This Train the Trainer course is designed for teachers, Extension staff, 4H and FFA leaders, and others who work with young adults.
Objectives: After attending the training, participants/educators will be able to…

Review indicators related to the need for and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in agriculture
Select decision-making activities designed for classroom timeframes
Identify safety and health resources for use in educational settings

Watch the Recording Here

Webinar: Invest in Your Health- Stay Cool! Prevention of Heat Related Illness in Agriculture Train the Trainer
2024-03-14 15:00 - 16:00
[Illustration: Word cloud, with the most prominent phrase being “heat wave,” along with dozens of varying sizes of words and phrases, including, “infant heat stroke,” “elderly,” and “heat index.”]
Summary: Agriculture is ranked as one of the most dangerous occupations and involves workers and family members of all ages. Heat-related illness occurs when the body’s temperature gets too high and the body’s ability to dissipate heat through sweating and other methods is overcome. Several conditions can result from this such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or heatstroke. In 2014, 253,000 young workers between the ages of 16-23 were employed in agriculture. In production agriculture, it is common to work in a hot environment and/ or in direct sunlight. Every year, thousands of workers become sick from exposure to heat, and some even die. Heat-related illnesses, while potentially deadly, are easily preventable.
Intended Audience: This Train the Trainer course is designed for teachers, Extension staff, 4H and FFA leaders and others who work with young adults.
Objectives: At the end of this webinar participants will be able to…

Identify the various types of heat-related illnesses
Identify warning signs of life-threatening exposures
Learn immediate care procedures
Access educational resources

Watch the Recording Here

Webinar: A Conversation on Cultivating LGBTQ+ Safe Spaces for Ag Youth
2024-06-05 15:00 - 16:00
Summary: It is important for agricultural educators to create inclusive and safe learning environments for all youth. This includes taking intentional steps to make LGBTQ+ youth feel like there is a space for them in the agriculture industry, 4-H, and FFA. But it’s not always easy to know where to start.
You can take your first step by joining us for “A Conversation on Cultivating LGBTQ+ Safe Spaces for Ag Youth.” This webinar is intended to equip ag educators with practical strategies and insights to foster inclusivity, understanding, and equity in their programs. Implementing this knowledge will enable teachers and leaders to best support all students. This increased support will go on to draw in even more students to join the program! (Increased inclusivity = increased # of members!)

Why are we talking about LGBTQ+ youth in agriculture?

June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate diversity and the LGBTQ+ community.
45% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in 2022 – but those who felt affirmed and supported at school had lower rates of acting on those thoughts (source: The Trevor Project).
Everyone has a place in the agricultural industry and deserves to feel like they belong.
By cultivating an inclusive environment and safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth in ag, we can increase positive health outcomes for that population as well as increase the number of youth who plan to go into the ag industry in the future!

Intended Audience: Ag educators, teachers, parents, community members

Objectives: At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to…

Have a better understanding of LGBTQ+ youth and their experiences
Feel confident in helping LGBTQ+ youth to feel like they have a space where they belong in agriculture
Be prepared to create LGBTQ+ safe spaces in the ag education classroom
Be able to find and share resources in the local community to support LGBTQ+ youth

Special thanks to the Cultivating Change Foundation (CCF) for working with AgriSafe to make this webinar a reality! CCF is a nonprofit whose goal is to “value and elevate LGBTQ+ agriculturists through advocacy, education, and community.”

Watch the Recording Here

NFSHW24: No Safe Way to Vape
2024-09-18 15:00 - 16:00 | NFSHW2024
Summary: This session aims to provide attendees the tools necessary to equip their students with a comprehensive understanding of the health risks associated with vaping, debunk common myths, and foster critical thinking and informed decision-making skills. Through detailed exploration of vaping’s short-term and long-term effects, interactive discussions, and evidence-based counterarguments, attendees will learn a variety of methods to communicate how to critically analyze misinformation to their students.
Intended Audience: This Train the Trainer course is designed for teachers, extension staff, 4-H and FFA leaders, and others who work with young adults in agriculture.
Objectives: By the end of this session, educators will be able to:

Effectively communicate various health risks and dangers associated with vaping.
Provide factual information to help students critically analyze and debunk common myths and misconceptions about vaping.
Foster critical thinking and informed decision-making skills among students regarding vaping.
Discuss becoming a “trusted messenger” of vaping health risks for your students.

Presenter: Abigail Kahrs, MPH, Program Coordinator, AgriSafe Network

Watch the Recording Here

Continuing Education: The University of Cincinnati, Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, Education and Research Center offers 1.0 contact hours for this activity. Upon completing the evaluation, learners will receive a certificate of completion. This course can meet continuing education requirements for a variety of professionals including: BGC criteria for IH/CIH professionals, BCSP criteria for safety professionals, CPH criteria for public health professionals. Please contact your accrediting agency regarding questions about receiving credits for this activity.

A special thank you to our NFSHW sponsors:

Western Center for Agricultural Health and SafetyNational Corn Growers AssociationSouthwest Center for Ag Health, Injury Prevention, and EducationAgri-Services AgencyGreenPoint AgSouthernCoastalCenterforAgHSPork CheckoffNational Corn Growers AssociationCHSSuccessful FarmingMorning AgClipsSoutheast Center for Agricultural Health and Injury Prevention

Invest in Your Health is supported by:

Webinar: Bridging the Knowledge Gap: Pediatric Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDDs)
2024-12-12 12:00 - 13:00
Summary: In this presentation, we will provide an overview of pediatric intellectual and developmental disabilities and will explore the vital resources and supports designed to enhance the lives of individuals and their families. Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge to help families effectively navigate the educational, financial, and support systems both currently and as their children age.
Intended Audience: Rural community members, professionals working with individuals with IDD and their families, and caregivers of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs)
Outcomes: At the end of this webinar participants will…
-> Communicate an overview of pediatric intellectual and developmental disabilities.
-> Discuss school services and community-based resources available for children with developmental disabilities.
-> Identify ways to help prepare individuals and families for transition into the adult world.
Meet the Presenters:
– Jennifer Cervantes, LCSW-S, Director of Community Outreach and Education, Baylor College of Medicine at Texas Children’s Hospital
– Dinah Godwin, LCSW-S, Director of Social Work Services, Baylor College of Medicine at Texas Children’s Hospital

Watch the Recording Here

Webinar: Too Young to Plow Alone: Keeping Youth Safe on the Farm with AYWG & HAYWG
2025-09-24 13:00 - 14:00
Summary: This webinar will focus on practical strategies to ensure the safety and well-being of youth working on farms, using the Agricultural Youth Work Guidelines (AYWG) and the Hired Agricultural Youth Work Guidelines (HAYWG). This will underscore the importance of aligning job tasks with a child’s developmental abilities, rather than age alone, to prevent injury and promote a safe working environment.
Through real-life examples, current data, and evidence-based guidelines, this session will help participants evaluate tasks, implement safer work practices, and understand federal and state labor laws related to youth in agriculture. Special attention is given to preventing injuries involving tractors, machinery, and hazardous work that young children may not be developmentally ready to perform
Objectives: At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to…
Recognize the Risks: Identify the leading causes of youth injury and fatality on farms, especially related to age-inappropriate tasks.
Understand the Guidelines: Gain familiarity with the Agricultural Youth Work Guidelines (AYWG) and the Hired Agricultural Youth Work Guidelines (HAYWG) tools for matching farm tasks with a youth’s age and developmental stage.
Apply Development-Based Safety Practices: Use evidence-based resources to determine whether a young person is physically, cognitively, and emotionally prepared to safely perform specific agricultural tasks.
Comply with Labor Laws: Understand how to comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and any relevant state laws regarding youth employment in agriculture.
Implement Practical Safety Steps: Learn actionable strategies to reduce risks on the farm, such as supervision protocols, training, safety checklists, and equipment restrictions for young workers.
Promote a Culture of Safety: Encourage a mindset that prioritizes youth safety and supports long-term injury prevention and responsible mentorship on farms.
Intended Audience: Farm parents and agricultural employers who hire youth workers.
Meet the Presenter: Melissa Ploeckelman Brown, Outreach Specialist, National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety (NCCRAHS)
Watch the Recording
To register for this training, you must have a free account in the AgriSafe Learning Lab. If you do not have an account, please create one here.

Webinar: Drive Present, Arrive Safe
2025-10-21 12:00 - 13:00
Summary: Driving demands more than skill—it requires awareness, presence, and emotional control. This presentation explores how mindfulness practices can improve focus, reduce stress, and enhance safety on the road. Participants will learn how slow, intentional movements, calm breathing, and emotional regulation can help prevent reactive driving behaviors and fatigue-related crashes. The session also addresses the dangers of multitasking, drowsy driving, and “passive fatigue” caused by long, monotonous routes. Practical tools and take-home strategies—such as mindful breathing exercises, pre-drive check-ins, and healthy rest habits—equip drivers to stay alert and proactive. This session reminds participants that “Your mind and presence are your most important safety features.”
Objectives: During this presentation, attendees will learn…
How sleep impacts health and safety
The effects of drowsy and distracted driving
What mindfulness is
Tips and techniques for mindful driving
Intended Audience: Anyone who drives, with a particular focus on driver’s education students.
Meet the Presenter: Ashley Fenning, Food, Nutrition, and Health Instructor, Nebraska Extension
Register
To register for this training, you must have a free account in the AgriSafe Learning Lab. If you do not have an account, please create one here.
