National Children's Center specialist honored for agritourism safety

Salzwedel to give presentation May 12 at education day in Marshfield

Marsha Salzwedel and the National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety have received awards from two agritourism associations for promoting best safety and health practices in the fast-growing agritourism industry.

The North American Farm Direct Marketing Association (NAFDMA) presented Salzwedel with its "Outstanding Leadership" award at its national convention, and the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association (WATA) named Salzwedel "Partner of the Year" at the WATA Premiere Banquet.

Salzwedel is Agritourism Project Manager for the National Children's Center, part of the National Farm Medicine Center and Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation. She credited the entire Children's Center team for the long-term, mutually beneficial relationship with NAFDMA and WATA.

Photo at right: Marshsa Salzwedel, National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety, receives the "Outstanding Leadership" award from Charlie Touchette, executive director of the North American Farm Direct Marketing Association, at the NAFDMA convention in February in Tennessee.

Salzwedel will discuss the latest safety news on Tuesday, May 12, during the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association Education Day, 1-4 p.m., at the UW Agricultural Research Station-South Location, 2611 Yellowstone Drive, Marshfield. To register go to http://www.luv-r-ag.com/#!education-days/c1qhm

"As agritourism continues to grow in popularity, implementing safety strategies to help maximize fun and minimize liability is increasingly important," Salzwedel said. "It's like one farmer told me: ‘I want my farm to be safe for my visitors. My goal is for visitors to have fun and create good memories, which can't happen if my farm isn't safe.'"

In order to keep pace with changes in agritourism, the National Children's Center recently worked with the North American Farm Direct Marketing Association on a survey of U.S. agritourism operators. Results guided updates to the National Children's Center web tool, "Integrating Safety into Agritourism" (www.safeagritourism.com).

Virginia Schwarzenbach, an official with the North American Farm Direct Marketing Association, said Salzwedel is the first "safety person" to receive her group's Outstanding Leadership" award since it was first presented in 1992.

"Marsha is very deserving of the honor," Schwarzenbach said. "Her willingness and dedication to provide tools and feedback to fellow members for the betterment of their farms does not go unnoticed. She is a true asset to the industry."
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5.8.2015