Use of model farmers proves effective in increasing safety practices among Navajo agricultural workers ; r2p ;

Covering 27,000 square miles in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, the Navajo Nation, geographically, is the largest American Indian reservation in the U.S. Within the Navajo Nation, many use farming for personal means including food, business, and trade. Of the greater than 12,000 acres of irrigable land, fewer than 5,000 acres are being farmed due to water shortages and financial strain. In order to increase the yield potential of the land being used, the use of pesticides and growth agents is vital. A study by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation found that agricultural workers represented 93% of pesticide poisoning cases from 1998-2001. The Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention and Education - funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) - addressed these important topics with its Model Farmer Dissemination Project from 2006-2011. Relevant Information: 1) The Model Farmer Dissemination project serves as a continuation of the Navajo Nation Evaluation - a program designed to increase the safety & welfare of agricultural workers in the Navajo Nation. 2) EPA’s Current Agricultural Worker Protection Standard is a regulation aimed at reducing the risk of pesticide poisoning & injury among agricultural workers & pesticide handlers. 3) The >2 million agricultural workers & pesticide handlers who work at 600,000+ agricultural establishments are protected under the Current Agricultural Worker Protection Standard. Has logo for the Research to Practice at NIOSH initiative (r2p). NIOSHTIC No. 20045350

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