The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture have joined forces to bring Sue Brumby, one of the leading farm safety expert in Australia, to London, Ont., on Nov. 10.
She is stopping on her way to Vancouver where she will be the feature speaker at the annual conference for the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association.
Brumby has developed a program called Sustainable Farm Families because she says farmers need to appreciate how their health relates to their farm productivity and therefore profitability.
There is more about her program at http://www.farmerhealth.org.au/page/sustainable-farm-families), which later evolved into the Australian National Centre for Farmer Health.
“The program looks at how farm life affects diet, obesity, exercise, cancer, lifestyle, smoking, drinking, issues with access to healthcare, untreated chronic injury etc. and how all of these things negatively affect the farm,” says Tim Nelson who moved from Australia to become chief of staff for the Poultry Industry Council.
“The program has won numerous public health awards and has attracted significant funds from the health sector – all of which benefits agriculture. Significantly as a result of producers getting involved, it has also saved lives,” Nelson says.
“The program has been run across many agricultural sectors which is why I am writing to all commodities to promote the Forum.”
Also speaking will be Dean Anderson, current chairman of the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association, and Dr. Rob Annis, a health practitioner from the North Perth Family Health team who has years of first-hand experience in dealing with farmers and their families facing health problems.
Dr. John Kelly will moderate “a lively discussion on farmer health and how it is addressed and managed in Ontario and whether or not a program similar to the Sustainable Farm Families program would and could work here to improve health outcomes and maintain profitability on the farm,” Nelson said.
Nelson is asking farm organizations to help spread the word and is also asking for donations.
“If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me, or you can register on line at www.poultryindustrycouncil.ca and click on the Better Farmer Health, Better Farm Business link,” Nelson said.
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