Further information

Target audience
Our target audience is nursery, berry and small-scale fresh market vegetable growers in the Midwestern United States and dairy farmers in Wisconsin.

What we do
We find new tools or methods that create a safer, more efficient, and more profitable workplace. Then we evaluate these tools comparing the old way with the new way. We note differences in crop quality or production and also job quality.

After we find tools or methods we wish to promote, we spread the word about them through publications, Extension agents, conferences, radio, our website, and grower-to-grower exchanges. We write a one-page "Tip Sheet" about each tool or method.

Where the ideas come from
Our ideas for tools or methods that are safer and more profitable come from growers themselves, from staff searching other industries for innovations that might apply, or from collaborating with growers to develop new methods. The University of Wisconsin, NIOSH, and project staff have no financial involvement with the design, production, or distribution of these tools.

Other research
In addition to promoting these tools and methods to farmers, we conduct an annual mail survey to learn grower's perceptions of each tool or method, whether or not they adopt the new technologies, and if not, why not. Results from the surveys help focus outreach efforts.

Staff
Larry Chapman, Ph.D. Industrial Engineering
Principal Investigator and Senior Scientist

Astrid Newenhouse, Ph.D. Horticulture
Co-Principal Investigator and Associate Scientist

Marcia Miquelon, B.A. English
Senior Outreach Specialist

Student workers: Maureen McKenna, Web Design: Julie Nielsen