2014 Strategic Planning Retreat Success

The Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety (WCAHS) successfully hosted its 2014 Strategic Planning Retreat last week at UC Davis. It was a chance to meet and greet old friends and colleagues as well as make new connections.

Teresa shows the variety of Ag Center videos available
Teresa Andrews Shows the variety of Ag Center Videos available on the YouTube channel

Teresa Andrews, WCAHS Outreach Specialist, and Dr. Julie Rainwater, WCAHS Evaluation Director, reported that WCAHS has made great strides with outreach, including working with the other 9 NIOSH funded Ag Centers to create a YouTube video channel. More than 12,000 people have visited the channel. The channel is an effective way to reach thousands of people with effective safety and health information.

Part of the retreat’s purpose was to learn about potential new areas of research. This year, the two topics were discussed: 1) Valley Fever and Agriculture, and 2) Indigenous Farm Workers.

Dr. Antje Lauer gives a presentation on Valley Fever
Dr. Antje Lauer, soil and Valley Fever specialist

 

Dr. Antje Lauer, from CSU Bakerfield, and Gail Sondermeyer and Dr. Jason Wilken, from the CA Department of Public Health, explained that the incidence of Valley Fever disease has dramatically increased in the western US, yet little is known about the ecology of the fungus that causes Valley Fever or whether certain occupations are at increased risk for contracting the disease.

 

 

 

Interpreters from Navidad Medical foundation
(L to R) Indigenous Interpreting+ Director Victor Sosa, Natividad Medical Foundation President Linda Ford, Indigenous Interpreters Sergio Martinez and Angelica Isidro.

 

 

Interpreters from Natividad Medical Foundation’s Indigenous Interpreting+ service explained that 50% of people migrating now from Mexico speak indigenous languages, such as Mixteco, Zapoteco and Triqui. Many live in California, especially in the Salinas Valley. Often speaking little to no Spanish, they have difficulty on the job and understanding basic social services like medicine.

Later in the day, the participants divided into two groups to further discuss the two topics and come up with questions and ideas for the WCAHS.

Retreat participants in the Valley Fever breakout group discuss next steps
Valley Fever breakout group with (facing L to R) Gail Sondermeyer, Dr. Jason Wilken, and Dr. Antje Lauer.
Retreat participants in a breakout group discuss center strategy
Right: Paul Verke (center), in charge of outreach and public engagement for the CA Department of Pesticide Regulation speaks with Indigenous Interpreter+ professionals while Victor Sosa, Director of Indigenous Interpreter+ and Victor Duraj, UC Davis Biological & Agricultural Engineering, listen in.

WCAHS thanks all those who participated in the meeting and made it a success!

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