By Blake Jackson
Twelve agricultural safety and health research centers across the U.S. are at risk of losing federal funding this fall. These centers are supported by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which has been affected by federal cuts under the Trump administration.
The funding cut has left many centers, including those in Minnesota and Nebraska, unsure of how they will continue their work. These centers run on five-year project approvals, but the funds are distributed yearly. Without further funding, many projects will stop midway.
Jeff Bender, who directs the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center, explained that a study on how livestock exposure affects farmers' gut health has only collected half of its samples and lacks funds to complete lab analysis.
NIOSH created these centers in 1990 to reduce the high injury and death rates among farm workers. In 2022, agriculture had the highest fatal injury rate of all industries, with 18.6 deaths per 100,000 workers.
Risto Rautiainen from the University of Nebraska highlighted that farm injuries cost each affected farmer around $15,000, and total losses reach over $11 billion annually. He believes that losing safety training could raise injury and death rates in farming communities.
The centers also train farmers and first responders. Rautiainen’s team offers safety training for cattle feedyard staff and helps prepare for threats like bird flu. Bender’s center supports rural mental health and trains firefighters to handle farm emergencies.
Jerry Minor, a Wisconsin fire chief, emphasized that these programs have helped train responders in 16 states and 5 Canadian provinces. He warned that such vital training might stop without NIOSH funding.
The federal government plans to merge NIOSH under a new agency called “Administration for a Healthy America,” but no clear details have emerged. Until then, these centers face an uncertain future, hoping lawmakers restore the funding to protect U.S. farmers.
Photo Credit: istock-fangxianuo
Categories: Wisconsin, Rural Lifestyle