Agricultural Safety & Health Council of America (ASHCA) Research to Practice to Research (R2P2R) Events

Marshfield Clinic, Inc., Marshfield WI

Investigators

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Agricultural Safety and Health (ASHCA) will convene a series of Research to Practice to Research (R2P2R) topic-specific workshops and national conferences. ASHCA initiated a R2P2R pillar during its 2023 strategic planning to “Connect research and industry to proactively collaborate in bringing best safety and health management practices to agriculture.” The proposed initiative herein aligns with the strategic activities of the NORA Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing Sector Council: 1) Plan, execute, and conduct follow-up activities for a series of topic-specific R2P2R workshops and every-other year national conference; 2) Facilitate public-private partnerships that build a culture of safety, promoting best ag safety practices apace with evolving food production and worker profiles; 3) Identify research priorities for NIOSH and the NIOSH-funded agricultural research centers based upon industry’s current safety/health issues and anticipated future needs; and 4) Publish proceedings, commentaries, and research studies in a dedicated issue of the Journal of Agromedicine. ASHCA, through sponsorship of workshops and co-sponsorship with NFMC for national conferences, envisions a comprehensive process with long-term implications. The initiative brings together diverse stakeholders—from farm operators to governmental agencies—to discuss safety topics, uncover proven prevention measures, and pinpoint crucial research needs. A special feature will extend support to include under-represented participants reflecting the diversity of workers and occupational hazards in modern agriculture. Tangible outputs, produced from workshops and conferences, include industry- driven research priorities and online safety resources. This will lay the foundation for a robust, long-term strategy poised to extend beyond the grant cycle. Post-grant evaluation will critically focus on the R2P2R strategy, linked with ASHCA’s AgSharpe certificate program for early career safety managers. The ultimate goal of this initiative is to sustain a culture of safety across U.S. agriculture – safeguarding workers and their families, while augmenting the business success of large and small agricultural producers. The envisaged R2P2R events, propelled by the joint commitment of industry, academia, research, and safety advocates, hold the transformative potential to elevate the profile of safety, fostering collaborations between industry experts and researchers. The experienced and passionate team behind this grant application is poised and eager to propel the proposed R2P2R strategies into action, marking a pivotal step towards a safer and more sustainable future for U.S. agriculture.