National Farm Medicine Center Explained

The National Farm Medicine Center (NFMC), established in 1981, is a non-profit program in Marshfield, Wisconsin dedicated to agricultural health and safety research, and service.^[1] The center is a component of the Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, which is part of Marshfield Clinic.^{[2] [3] [4]}

History

In the 1960s research was conducted by the Marshfield Clinic Research Institute on respiratory diseases common in dairy farmers. Dean Emanuel identified maple bark disease among paper mill workers.^{[5] [6] [7]}

In 1964, a culture technique developed by Emanuel and Fritz Wenzel to identify the causative agent for "farmer's lung",^{[8] [9]} a chronic, progressive, inflammation in the lungs of farmers. By 1971 intervention and education programs targeting farmers were developed in cooperation with the University of Wisconsin Agricultural Research Station, located in Marshfield.^[10] Discussions were held in 1980 and came to fruition in 1981 with the formation of an agricultural medicine center in Marshfield.^[11]

Organization

The center is directed by Casper G. Bendixsen, PhD.^{[12] [13]} Its staff of 20+ includes five PhD level scientists, along with support staff.^[14] Past directors include Barbara C. Lee, PhD and Matthew C. Keifer, MD.^{[15] [16]}

Since 1997, the center has been home to the National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety (NCCRAHS),^{[17] [18] [19] [20]} It is one of 11 Centers for Agricultural Disease and Injury Research, Education and Prevention^[21] funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health,^[22] and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.^[23]

The majority of the center's funding comes from competitive government grants and contracts. Other sources of funding are private foundations, corporations, partnerships and donations.

Education and outreach

The National Farm Medicine Center hosts summer interns who are involved in research projects, farm visits, and field work.^{[24] [25] [26]}

Research

The research areas this center participates in includes

• Integrated Pediatric Primary Care and Child Farm Safety^[27]
• Microbiome^{[28] [29] [30] [31]}
• Skin Cancer Screening
• Mental health in rural America and Globally^[32]
• Wisconsin Infant Study Cohort (WISC)^{[33] [34]}
• Wisconsin Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS) Rebate Program^{[35] [36] [37]} —In 2014 the National Tractor Safety Coalition (NTSC) was created in Chicago, IL. The coalition has 80 members including the National Farm Medicine Center. More than 10 years of research has gone into tractor overturns^[38] and the importance of Roll Over Protection Structures^{[39] [40]} (ROPS).^{[41] [42]} Now 70% of ROPS can be paid for to farmers retrofitting an older tractor with a system.^{[43] [44] [45] [46]}
• AgInjuryNews.org – an up-to-date collection of agricultural injury and fatality reports, primarily derived from news reports.^{[47] [48] [49] [50] [51]} A portion of the data was published in Injury Prevention in 2018^[52] and a subset was analyzed for prevention message inclusion in media reports, published in 2017.^{[53] [54]} Another subset of the data analyzed from AgInjuryNews.org has described an ongoing issues of youth injuries and young operators of skid steers on U.S. farms and ranches.^{[55] [56]} This work has led to further investigation of injury surveillance gaps, and challenges with injury coding systems and the potential to couple multiple systems for improved coding outcomes.^[57]

In collaboration with the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (UMASH),^[58] the following projects are conducted:

• Seguridad en las Lecherias (safety in the dairy) – addressing the health and safety needs of Hispanic dairy workers in Wisconsin^{[59] [60]}
• Safe Return to work – a computer application that guides a clinician in returning an injured dairy or pork worker to light duty work^[61]
• Surveillance in Dairy – a survey-based project surveying the dairy community to explore changes in injury and illness.
• Rural Fire Fighters Delivering Agriculture Safety and Health (RF-DASH) – improves farmers access to rural health and safety consultation.^{[62] [63] [64]}

In collaboration with the Central States Center for Agriculture Safety and Health (CS-CASH),^[65] the following projects are conducted:

• Augmented reality – Farm Mapping to Assist, Protect and Prepare Emergency responders (Farm MAPPER)^{[66] [67] [68]}
• Identifying the Sources of Stress and Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression Symptoms Among Young Farmers and Ranchers in the Midwest
• Improving Safety and Health in the Cattle Feed Yard Industry
• Assessing the prevalence and underlying causes of all-terrain vehicle-related injuries on U.S. farms.

Publications

• Cultivate and Nurture are center newsletters
• Year in Review is a year end publication
• Journal of Agromedicine^{[69] [70]}

External links

• National Farm Medicine Center website
• Child Agricultural Safety Network
• Cultivate Safety
• International Society for Agricultural Safety and Health
• Pesticide Health Effects Medical Education Database
• Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center

Notes and References

1. Web site: Making farm safety a priority. Hub City Times. August 1, 2016. July 26, 2016.
2. Mulhern B. Saving Lives: the Marshfield-based National Farm Medicine Center and its director, Barbara Lee, work to reduce traumatic agricultural injuries and deaths. Wisconsin Corporate Report, January 2008, pp. 26–29.
3. S. Schultz. "National farm medicine center plans unveiled". Marshfield News Herald, April 22, 1982, p. A1.
4. T. Murphy. "Farm safety their business". Wausau Daily Herald, October 15, 1989, p. D1.
5. Web site: Alumni Gather and Honor a Pioneer in Marshfield. UW School of Medicine and Public Health. February 18, 2016. University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
6. Maple-bark disease. Pneumonitis due to Coniosporium corticale. The New England Journal of Medicine. February 15, 1962. 1533-4406. 13890068. 333–337. 266. 7. 10.1056/nejm196202152660704. D. A.. Emanuel. B. R.. Lawton. F. J.. Wenzel.
7. Web site: Dean A. Emanuel, M.D. – Ripon Commonwealth Press. Ripon Commonwealth Press. March 10, 2016.
8. Isolation of the Causative Agent of Farmer's Lung. Annals of Allergy. November 1, 1964. 0003-4738. 14215933. 533–540. 22. F.. Wenzel. D. A.. Emanuel. B. R.. Lawton. G. E.. Magnin.
9. Web site: Recognizing a pioneer in farm health and safety. Brownfield Ag News. March 10, 2016.
10. Web site: University of Wisconsin Agricultural Research Station .
11. Book: Mazza, Joseph J.. Promoting agricultural health and safety: A history of the National Farm Medicine Center. 2006. Marshfield, Wisconsin. 7–8.
12. Web site: Marshfield Clinic Research Institute – National Rural Health Association honors Dr. Lee with Researcher Award. marshfieldresearch.org. May 16, 2018.
13. News: 5-Year-Olds Work Farm Machinery, and Injuries Follow. Healy. Jack. 2018. The New York Times. May 2, 2018. 0362-4331.
14. Web site: Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation – Staff. marshfieldresearch.org. February 18, 2016.
15. Web site: National Farm Medicine Center.
16. Web site: Matthew Keifer, MD. https://web.archive.org/web/20160224122530/http://www.marshfieldresearch.org/profiles/1037. February 24, 2016. dead.
17. Web site: CDC – Childhood Agricultural Injury Prevention Initiative: NIOSH FACTS: Health and Safety for Kids on the Farm – NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic. cdc.gov. February 18, 2016.
18. Web site: National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety.
19. Web site: Barbara Lee PhD.
20. Web site: CDC – NIOSH Update – NIOSH Announces Cooperative Agreement Creating National Children's Center for Agricultural Injury Prevention. cdc.gov. February 18, 2016.
21. Web site: CDC – NIOSH Grants and Funding – Extramural Research and Training Programs – Training and Research – Agricultural Centers. cdc.gov. February 18, 2016.
22. Web site: CDC – The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). cdc.gov. February 18, 2016.
23. Web site: CDC works 24/7 to protect US from health, safety and security threats.. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. February 18, 2016.
24. New Extension Approaches to Serving Agricultural Media in Advancing Farm-Life Safety Communications. 6. Journal of Extension. 55. May 16, 2018. December 2017. Heiberger. Scott. Evans. James F.. 10.34068/joe.55.06.44 . 259433154 . free.
25. Web site: Marshfield Clinic Research Institute – Study takes fresh look at engaging media in farm safety coverage. marshfieldresearch.org. May 16, 2018.
26. News: Study takes fresh look at engaging media in farm safety coverage. umash. February 20, 2018. Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center. May 16, 2018.
27. News: 5-Year-Olds Work Farm Machinery, and Injuries Follow. January 29, 2018. The New York Times. May 16, 2018. 0362-4331.
28. News: Dairy farmers' dirty noses, mouths likely healthy. Wisconsin State Farmer. May 16, 2018.
29. Shukla. Sanjay K.. Ye. Zhan. Sandberg. Scott. Reyes. Iris. Fritsche. Thomas R.. Keifer. Matthew. August 29, 2017. The nasal microbiota of dairy farmers is more complex than oral microbiota, reflects occupational exposure, and provides competition for staphylococci. PLOS ONE. 12. 8. e0183898. 10.1371/journal.pone.0183898. 5574581. 28850578. 2017PLoSO..1283898S. free.
30. News: Dairy farmers have noses for science. AgUpdate. May 16, 2018.
31. June 2012 . Structure, function and diversity of the healthy human microbiome . Nature. 486. 7402. 207–214. 10.1038/nature11234. 3564958. 22699609. Human Microbiome Project Consortium . 2012Natur.486..207T .
32. Agricultural stressors: identification, causes and perceived effects among Nigerian crop farmers. Journal of Agromedicine. 24. 1. 46–55. Olowogbon. Toyin. October 22, 2018. 10.1080/1059924x.2018.1538915. 30345895. 53045513.
33. Ludka-Gaulke. Tiffany. Ghera. Princy. Waring. Stephen C.. Keifer. Matthew. Seroogy. Christine. Gern. James E.. Kirkhorn. Steven. January 2018 . Farm exposure in early childhood is associated with a lower risk of severe respiratory illnesses . Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 141. 1. 454–456.e4. 10.1016/j.jaci.2017.07.032 . 5758418. 28870458.
34. News: Marshfield study: Kids raised on dairy farms less likely to get allergies, rashes. Daily Herald Media. May 16, 2018.
35. News: Tractor rollbar rebate bill advances in Wisconsin legislature. Wisconsin State Farmer. May 16, 2018.
36. News: Wisconsin tractor rollbar rebates available for 2017–18. May 16, 2018.
37. Web site: Marshfield Clinic Research Institute – Tractor Rollbar Rebate: The Christmas Gift that Keeps on Giving. marshfieldresearch.org. May 16, 2018.
38. Web site: rollbar Archives – OnFocus. OnFocus. May 16, 2018.
39. News: National Farm Medicine Center Helps Farmers Give the Gift of Safety – OnFocus. FocusonMFLD. December 8, 2017. OnFocus. May 16, 2018.
40. News: Rollbar rebate form. AgUpdate. May 16, 2018.
41. News: Tragedy averted: 90-second video speaks to Wisconsin farmers. Wisconsin State Farmer. May 3, 2018.
42. News: Tractor roll bars help save lives in most common farm accide.... May 16, 2018.
43. Rudolphi. Josie M.. Campo. Shelly. Gerr. Fred. Rohlman. Diane S.. May 2018. Social and Individual Influences on Tractor Operating Practices of Young Adult Agricultural Workers . Journal of Adolescent Health. 62. 5. 605–611. 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.11.300. 29478719. 1054-139X. 8189182.
44. News: Tractor rollbar rebate bill advances in Wisconsin legislature. Wisconsin State Farmer. May 3, 2018.
45. News: Win a free tractor ROPS at Grazing Conference . January 22, 2018. May 16, 2018.
46. News: GrassWorks Grazing Conference Filling Up. Farm Report. May 16, 2018.
47. Weichelt. Bryan. Salzwedel. Marsha. Heiberger. Scott. Lee. Barbara C.. May 22, 2018. Establishing a publicly available national database of US news articles reporting agriculture-related injuries and fatalities. American Journal of Industrial Medicine. 61. 8. 667–674. 10.1002/ajim.22860. 29790197. 46896922. 0271-3586.
48. Web site: Ag Injury News Clippings. aginjurynews.org. February 20, 2018.
49. News: Resolutions for a safer 2018 on Wisconsin farms. Wisconsin State Farmer. February 20, 2018.
50. News: Recent farm tragedy sparks outcry. Wisconsin State Farmer. February 20, 2018.
51. News: 5-Year-Olds Work Farm Machinery, and Injuries Follow. Healy. Jack. 2018. The New York Times. February 20, 2018. 0362-4331.
52. Weichelt. Bryan. Gorucu. Serap. February 17, 2018. Supplemental surveillance: a review of 2015 and 2016 agricultural injury data from news reports on AgInjuryNews.org. Injury Prevention. 25. 3. injuryprev–2017–042671. 10.1136/injuryprev-2017-042671. 1353-8047. 29386372. 3371442.
53. Marlenga. B.. Berg. R.. Gallagher. S.. January 20, 2017. News Reports and Their Role in Child Agricultural Injury Prevention . Journal of Agromedicine. 22. 2. 71–77. 10.1080/1059924X.2017.1282909. 28107106. 19860085.
54. News: Rural Health Informatics Play Increased Role in Ag Safety. Pork Business. May 3, 2018.
55. 10.1080/1059924x.2018.1501455. 30230430. A Review of 2016–2017 Agricultural Youth Injuries Involving Skid Steers and a Call for Intervention and Translational Research. Journal of Agromedicine. 23. 4. 374–380. 2018. Weichelt. Bryan. Bendixsen. Casper. 52294832.
56. News: 5-Year-Olds Work Farm Machinery, and Injuries Follow. Healy. Jack. January 29, 2018. The New York Times. February 8, 2019. 0362-4331.
57. Murphy. Dennis. Gorucu. Serap. Weichelt. Bryan. Scott. Erika. Purschwitz. Mark. 2019. Using multiple coding schemes for classification and coding of agricultural injury. American Journal of Industrial Medicine. 62. 2. 87–98. 10.1002/ajim.22932. 30561026. 56172628. 1097-0274.
58. Web site: Home. umash. Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center. February 20, 2019.
59. Web site: Students work on farm safety training for immigrant dairy workers. farmprogress.com. February 18, 2016. August 28, 2015.
60. Web site: Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center – UMASH Projects. umash.umn.edu. February 18, 2016. Joy. Archibald.
61. 2015 APHA Annual Meeting & Expo (Oct. 31 – Nov. 4, 2015): Nuance to Numbers: Transforming Unstructured Physical Therapist Field Data to Structured Farm Task Data for an Injured/Ill Return to Work Software Application. apha.confex.com. February 18, 2016. November 4, 2015.
62. News: Rural Firefighters Delivering Agricultural Safety and Health (RF-DASH). Archibald. Joy. Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center. May 2, 2018.
63. Web site: Tracking Farm Hazards with Farm MAPPER. June 28, 2018. Cornell Small Farms Program. February 20, 2019.
64. Web site: Farm First Aid – Preparing for tough situations. Barnes. Casper Bendixsen and Kate. Progressive Dairyman. February 20, 2019.
65. Web site: Home CS-CASH University of Nebraska Medical Center. www.unmc.edu. February 20, 2019.
66. Weichelt. Bryan. Yoder. Aaron. Bendixsen. Casper. Pilz. Matthew. Minor. Gerald. Keifer. Matthew. July 3, 2018. Augmented Reality Farm MAPPER Development: Lessons Learned from an App Designed to Improve Rural Emergency Response. Journal of Agromedicine. 23. 3. 284–296. 10.1080/1059924x.2018.1470051. 30047852. 51721567. 1059-924X. 10783179.
67. News: What's in Marshfield Clinic's next 100 years?. News-Herald Media. August 10, 2018.
68. An Argument against Cross-Platform Development: Lessons from an Augmented Reality App Prototype for Rural Emergency Responders. JMIR mHealth and uHealth. 7. 3. e12207. 10.2196/12207. 30920380. February 8, 2019. 2018. Weichelt. Bryan. Heimonen. Tomi. Pilz. Matthew. Yoder. Aaron. Bendixsen. Casper. 6458533 . free .
69. News: Journal of Agromedicine. Taylor & Francis.
70. News: Farm Safety Spheres of Influence. Pork Business. May 16, 2018.