The Ag Health & Safety Alliance™ provides health and safety programs tailored specifically to our audience. We find creative, fun and exciting ways to engage our audience on the vitally important topics of ag health and safety.
Our team includes partnerships with individuals and organizations who are interested in this type of education and interaction to promote health and safety at the local, regional, national, and international levels.
Ag Health & Safety Alliance™ is:
Tailoring & customizing
Partnering to develop teams
Promoting & enabling
Focused
Sharing knowledge
Not just a curriculum
Team
-
Carolyn Sheridan RN, BSN
Executive Director/Founder
About Carolyn
-
David Sullivan Adv, Dip FBM
Director of Programs
About David
-
Jenna Gibbs, MPH, Ph.D.
Director of Operations
About Jenna
-
Stefan Mandić-Rajčević, M.D., Ph.D.
Director of Digital Learning and Innovation
About Stefan
-
Euvonne Hickey, BA
Program Manager
About Euvonne
-
Alex Beach, BA
Virtual & Graphic Design Specialist
About Alex
Carolyn Sheridan RN, BSN
Executive Director/FounderI grew up on a dairy farm in Northwest Iowa and continue to farm with my husband and family in the same area. As a registered nurse, I received specialized Agricultural Health and Safety training that helped me understand the health and safety hazards associated with farming, ranching, and all types of agriculture.
I have spent most of my career developing and delivering agricultural occupational health and safety services and programs to all generations of agriculture. The development of a program designed to address the health and safety issues for College Ag students has been a passion of mine, which allows me to connect with students across North America and around the globe.
As an instructor for Agricultural Medicine Courses, I have the opportunity to collaborate with individuals and organizations to enable health and safety professionals in the prevention of occupational illnesses and injuries among members of the agricultural community. I also enjoy speaking on a variety of agricultural health and safety topics. Speaking engagements include local, regional, national,l and international venues with presentations tailored to the needs of the organization and audience.
David Sullivan Adv, Dip FBM
Director of ProgramsI was raised on my family’s farm in Western Australia, which specialized in broad acre cropping and sheep production. I then completed my studies in Agricultural Farm and Business Management at Marcus Oldham College, which is Australia’s Premier Ag University. After graduation I had the opportunity to work in the live export industry and then manage a large scale cattle station. In 2006 I relocated to Canada where a short venture in construction health and safety gave me the additional knowledge to pursue a career in health and safety. I am a farmer, without a farm so focusing on agricultural health and safety is my true calling.
My work with the College Ag program in North America offers an opportunity to reach the next generation of agriculture in a fun and interactive way. Bringing the international health and safety perspective to students is an important way of connecting with students who are involved in agriculture.
Jenna Gibbs, MPH, Ph.D.
Director of OperationsAs Director of Operations, I am committed to training the next generation in agriculture, a passion that connects to my own roots in rural Southwest Missouri. Growing up, I was a multisport athlete who was simultaneously involved in FFA. I pursued biology and plant physiology at the University of Iowa, where I played Division I basketball and earned an additional masters degree in public health. I later completed a doctoral degree in industrial hygiene and pesticide safety in Washington State. For 8 years, I worked for NIOSH/CDC and the Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health at the University of Iowa prior to working for our nonprofit organization. My extensive experience includes over a decade in pesticide safety and PPE training, resulting in more than 30 academic publications on topics like mental health, zoonotic disease prevention, PPE, and respiratory protection. My dedication to programs like Gear Up for Ag™ is strengthened even more by my family’s small farm in Eastern Iowa.
Stefan Mandić-Rajčević, M.D., Ph.D.
Director of Digital Learning and InnovationI am what you would call a city boy. I grew up in the central pedestrian zone of the capital city of Serbia – Belgrade. Nevertheless, my ancestors up to my great grandfather were farmers, and escaping to the city represented their attempt to escape poverty and provide security for their children. I spent my summers at our ranch by the Danube River where my grandparents created a beautiful farm-like environment for me to grow up.
Little did I know that, after graduating from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Belgrade, I would go on to do a Ph.D. in Occupational Medicine through a project aimed at estimating exposure and risk of vineyard pesticide applicators. This resulted in my return to rural health, as part of public, occupational and environmental health.
I am especially interested in using data to drive decision-making, preventive measures, safety culture and climate, behavior change, as well as new approaches to teaching using digital technologies.
Euvonne Hickey, BA
Program ManagerComing Soon!
Alex Beach, BA
Virtual & Graphic Design SpecialistI grew up in Sioux City, IA with two great parents and two great brothers. I love climbing mountains, the financial markets, and spending time with my wife, friends and family. I have always had a passion for animals, the outdoors, and healthy food, which is why this role with Ag Health and Safety Alliance is a great fit for me. After attending Iowa State for a BA in advertising, I worked in the marketing industry for a few years and built up my skill set in motion graphic creation, video editing and web development. Using my skills to promote safe practices in agriculture is an honor and I hope that my work will make an impact for farmers in the future.
International Team
Canada
-
Jody Wackowick
Executive Director, AgSafe Alberta
About Jody
-
Lori Brookhouse
Owner/Operator of Vital Insight Safety & Human Resources Consulting
About Lori
-
Kendra Ulmer
Program Manager (Agricultural Health and Safety Network)
About Kendra
-
Shawn Chadwich
Account Manager, Agriculture, WSPS
About Shawn
Jody Wackowick
Executive Director, AgSafe AlbertaJody is the Executive Director of AgSafe Alberta, which is the health and safety association for agricultural producers in Alberta. As an industry-led organization, AgSafe Alberta works with and supports farms and ranches of all types and sizes in becoming safer places to live, work and grow up on. he resources and services that AgSafe Alberta offers farms and ranches reflect the current requirements of the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulation and Code, and are informed by safety hazards identified while doing site hazard assessments on farms and ranches. Jody assists with Gear Up for Ag programs in Alberta.
Lori Brookhouse
Owner/Operator of Vital Insight Safety & Human Resources ConsultingLori is the owner/operator of Vital Insight Safety & Human Resources Consulting . In her role she assists with Gear Up for Ag programs in the Atlantic Canada Region. The organization’s mission is to enhance and promote the importance of safety in all work environments to reduce the number of incidents and injuries that occur at work. To create a team atmosphere where all workers stand strong together under all circumstances to work safely and become more productive. Vital Insight principally evaluates, monitors, upgrades, develops, and consults on OHS-compliant health and safety management and training systems, shares mental health tools, training, and resources.
Kendra Ulmer
Program Manager (Agricultural Health and Safety Network)Kendra is the Program Manager (Agricultural Health and Safety Network), The Canadian Centre for Rural and Agricultural Health (CCRAH).
CCRAH’s mission is to conduct and stimulate research, education, and health promotion programs aimed at enhancing the health and well-being of agricultural, rural and remote populations. The professionally trained staff include experts in health education, occupational health and safety, nursing and support staff who have a farming background. Kendra assists with Gear Up for Ag programs in Saskatchewan.
Shawn Chadwich
Account Manager, Agriculture, WSPSShawn Chadwich is the Agriculture Account Manager for Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS). WSPS is a partner in Ontario’s occupational health and safety system, which includes the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD), Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), and six health and safety associations (HSAs). WSPS consultants provide support throughout Ontario covering all agriculture workplaces from family farms to farming operations with paid employees, to greenhouse growers, landscapers, arborists and more. Shawn assists with the Gear Up for Ag programs in Ontario.
Australia
-
Carolyn Sheridan, RN, BSN
Executive Director/Founder
About Carolyn
-
David Sullivan Adv, Dip FBM
Director of Programs
About David
Carolyn Sheridan, RN, BSN
Executive Director/FounderCarolyn Sheridan grew up on a dairy farm in Northwest Iowa and continues be involved in their family farm in the same area. As a registered nurse she received specialized Agricultural Health and Safety and has spent most of her career developing and delivering agricultural occupational health and safety services and programs to health and safety professionals and all generations of agriculture. Her passion has led her to focus on the development of the Ag College program to address the health and safety issues for College Ag students.
Greenville, IA
David Sullivan Adv, Dip FBM
Director of ProgramsI was raised on my family’s farm in Western Australia, where we focused on broadacre cropping and sheep production. After completing my studies in Agricultural Farm and Business Management at Marcus Oldham College, Australia’s Agricultural University, I worked in the live export industry and later managed a large-scale cattle station.A short venture into construction health and safety gave me valuable insight and sparked my passion for agricultural health and safety. Supporting the safety and well-being of those on the land has become my true calling. Through my work with college agriculture programs in North America, I’ve had the privilege of connecting with the next generation of farmers in fun, engaging, and practical ways. Sharing international perspectives on ag health and safety helps students better understand the importance of protecting themselves and others in this vital industry. After several years abroad, I’ve recently moved back home to Australia, where I’m excited to continue promoting safer farming practices and supporting rural communities across the country.
Perth, Austrailia
Nigeria
-
Jenna Gibbs MPH, Ph.D.
Director of Operations
About Jenna
-
Gift Dick Udoh
About Gift
Jenna Gibbs MPH, Ph.D.
Director of OperationsAs Director of Operations, I am committed to training the next generation in agriculture, a passion that connects to my own roots in rural Southwest Missouri. I obtained a Master’s degree in public health with a focus on global health after a year long internship at the Pan American Health Organization in Washington, D.C. My master’s practicum was with the Ministry of Social and Economic Inclusion in Ecuador and I was using data analysis to identify vulnerable regions across the country with less access to local, healthy foods. I later completed a doctoral degree in industrial hygiene and pesticide safety in Washington State. For 8 years, I worked for NIOSH/CDC and the Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health at the University of Iowa prior to working for our nonprofit organization. My global health expertise has been recognized internationally, including a Presidential Certificate of Excellence for PPE training in Sierra Leone during the Ebola outbreak and two pesticide safety and zoonotic disease Gear Up for Ag programs in Nigeria.
Gift Dick Udoh
I am a social entrepreneur and agricultural safety advocate passionate about improving rural farmers’ health, safety, and livelihoods. As the founder and CEO of Norina Farms, I have led initiatives that have trained over 3,000 agricultural workers on safe farming practices, pesticide risk management, and post-harvest loss reduction. My work is deeply personal, inspired by the loss of a farmer to pesticide poisoning in my community. I have collaborated with the Ag Health and Safety Alliance, co-facilitating training and contributing to research on agricultural hazards. I am also proud to be connected with the University of Iowa College of Public Health, where I completed their Agricultural Safety and Health Core Course and served as a Global Visiting Scholar, presenting my research on pesticide safety interventions. Through evidence-based programs, partnerships, and advocacy, I’m committed to building safer, healthier, and more productive farming communities across Africa.
Board of Directors
-
Carolyn Sheridan, RN, BSN
About -
OP McCubbins
About -
Curtis Weber
About -
Bryan Weichelt, PhD, MBA
About -
Robby Frutchey
About -
Risto Rautiainen
About -
Jana Davidson
About -
Helle Birk Domino
About -
Robin Anderson
About -
Peter Lundqvist
About
Carolyn Sheridan, RN, BSN
FounderAg Health and Safety Alliance
Carolyn Sheridan grew up on a dairy farm in Northwest Iowa and continues be involved in their family farm in the same area. As a registered nurse she received specialized Agricultural Health and Safety and has spent most of her career developing and delivering agricultural occupational health and safety services and programs to health and safety professionals and all generations of agriculture. Her passion has led her to focus on the development of the Ag College program to address the health and safety issues for College Ag students.
Greenville, IA
OP McCubbins
Agricultural Education, Leadership, and CommunicationsMississippi State University
OP McCubbins is an Assistant Professor of Agricultural Education at Mississippi State University. OP teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in the Agricultural Education, Leadership, and Communications concentration. His research interests include educational technology integration and immersive technology. Specifically, he explores the use and impact of immersive technology (augmented, mixed, and virtual reality) for teaching and learning in and about agriculture. He is also a member of the American Association for Agricultural Education (AAAE), the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE), and the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) where he provides ongoing guidance and support to Ag teachers and students across North America.
Mississippi, US
Curtis Weber
President/ CEOC Weber Consulting Ltd.
Curtis Weber comes from Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada, where he has been inspiring and influencing change in safety behaviours and risk management internationally, for over 10 years. Working in safety as a Trainer, Consultant, Officer and Speaker, following a near fatal workplace incident, Curtis has been able to develop a unique way of challenging audiences to change the way they perceive safety. Curtis believes that before we can develop or change a safety/organizational culture, first we must understand and influence human behaviours towards safety.
Battleford, Saskatchewan, S0M 0E0
Bryan Weichelt, PhD, MBA
Project ScientistNational Farm Medicine Center, National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety Marshfield Clinic Research Institute
Bryan Weichelt grew up on a 65-cow dairy farm in central Wisconsin that sprouted his pursuit of a career in ag, rooted in five generations of tradition, hard work, and family. He is a Project Scientist at the National Farm Medicine Center (NFMC) and the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health & Safety (NCCRAHS) focusing his research on the development, use, and adoption of technology to improve the health and safety of farmers, ranchers, their families, employees and visitors.
Marshfield, WI
Robby Frutchey
Senior LecturerThe Ohio State University
Robby Frutchey is a Senior Lecturer at The Ohio State University. He is part of the Agriculture and Engineering Technologies (AET) Division at OSU where he is the Program Coordinator for the Power Equipment, Hydraulic Power & Motion Control program. Robby has been part of agricultural education for the majority of his career with the primary goal of educating agricultural students about farm management practices. Robby leads students as they are involved in everyday management decisions and practices in agriculture.
Wooster, Ohio
Risto Rautiainen
UNMC College of Public Health DirectorCentral States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH)
Risto Rautiainen grew up on a farm in Finland. He has MS in agriculture from the University of Helsinki and PhD in Occupational and Environmental Health from the University of Iowa. He is professor at the University of Nebraska, College of Public Health, and he directs the NIOSH-funded Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health in Omaha, Nebraska. His main interest is in studying why agricultural injuries happen and how they can be prevented. He has over 30 years of experience in agricultural safety and health research and outreach in Finland, Canada and the US.
Omaha, NE
Jana Davidson
Education Content SpecialistProgressive Agriculture Foundation®/Progressive Agriculture Safety Days®
Jana Davidson serves as the Education Content Specialist for the Progressive Agriculture Foundation. Jana is responsible for curriculum maintenance and development for the Progressive Agriculture Safety Day program, as well public relations and marketing. She also serves as a trainer of the Safety Day coordinators that host more than 400 events annually throughout North America. Jana received her B.S. Degree from the Pennsylvania State University in Agribusiness Management and went on to earn a Masters of Education Degree in Teaching & Curriculum. Prior to joining the Progressive Agriculture Foundation, Jana served as a 4-H Extension Educator with Penn State Cooperative Extension and has been a Progressive Agriculture Safety Day Coordinator in her local community since 2007. Jana serves in the role of secretary on the Ag Health & Safety Alliance Board
Birmingham, AL
Helle Birk Domino
Manager of Occupational Health and SafetySEGES
Helle Birk Domina lives in Stjær, Arhus, Denmark and is the Manager of Occupational Health and Safety of SEGES in Århus, Denmark.
SEGES is the leading agricultural advisor in Denmark and offers solutions for tomorrow’s agriculture and food sector. SEGES’s primary objective is to identify the commercial potential in agriculture in order to provide Danish farmers with the best tools for running their business more profitably and in a way that takes account of the environment and animal welfare.
Helle and her team are working with Ag Health and Safety Alliance to deliver the Gear Up for Ag program in Denmark and she is well known for her work in “nudging” as a concept to improve health and safety in agriculture and other occupations. Her work with the SACURIMA group in Europe and is instrumental in translating research to practice for the farming community in Denmark.
Denmark
Robin Anderson
Communications CoordinatorRobin was raised on a small grain farm in south-central Saskatchewan, Canada. Her interest in farm safety began at a young age as a long-time member of the Saskatchewan Safety Council’s Power Pac Program. The Power Pac team was composed of young farm people that traveled to schools across the province, speaking to other children and youth about the importance of farm safety. Through her efforts as a Power Pac Team Member, Robin was awarded the volunteer of the year award by the Saskatchewan Safety Council. After university, Robin worked with the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region as the Farm Safety Coordinator, transitioning into a Health Promotions position serving Fort Qu’Appelle and surrounding areas. For personal reasons, Robin moved to Moncton, New Brunswick, working for the local organizing committee for an international track and field championship and in health insurance before moving to Winnipeg, Manitoba, and returning to her first passion: farm safety. Since 2014, Robin has served as the Communications Coordinator for the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association. She currently resides back in her home province of Saskatchewan, working remotely for CASA and once again enjoying time at her family farm.
Saskatchewan, Canada
Peter Lundqvist
Senior ProfessorSwedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Peter Lundqvist grew up on a farm in Sweden. He has worked with health & safety in agriculture for more than 40 years. His now a senior professor in work science at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Alnarp, outside Malmo. Recent studies involves injury prevention, rural crime and mental health among farmers and farm families. He is also very much involved in international organizations and collaborations. Right now he is preparing the up-coming Nordic Meeting on Agricultural Occupational health which will take place in Sweden in September 2025.
Sweden
Program Reports
We are excited to share our progress, successes, lessons, and impact with our annual reports. You will learn about our Gear Up for Ag Program, participant demographics, program data, and our international Gear Up for AG programs in each of these reports. The Milestones Report also provides information about our organization, our mission, and our values. The report introduces our US, Canadian, and international teams and shares testimonials and feedback from our students and college instructors. Partner projects and our sponsors are featured so you can gain a better understanding of the variety of work we do. We hope you enjoy learning more about us!