Farmer Safety Health and Wellness Webinar Series: Steve Redmond
Carbery Group, Cork recently held a Webinar on Farm Safety, Health and Wellness for farmer suppliers in advance of a busy spring. The Event will now be shown as a series of Webinars from today for 3 Sundays. The first is Steve Redmond, first person to complete the ‘Seven Ocean’s Challenge
Speakers included Steve Redmond, first person to complete the ‘Seven Ocean’s Challenge’; Rena Buckley, winner of a record 18 All Ireland Medals and John McNamara, Teagasc Health and Safety Specialist. Each Webinar takes 15 minutes approx.
Teagasc is indebted to Carbery Group for permission to use the Webinars.
Steve Redmond
First up is Motivational Speaker Steve Redmond giving his observations on achieving Success.
Steve was the first person to complete the gruelling ‘Seven Ocean’s Challenge’. This is the aquatic equivalent to climbing the world’s seven highest peaks. Steve resides in West Cork close to the Sea. Steve speaks firstly of what motivated him to take on the Challenge. Essentially, he took up the challenge when he was told ‘it couldn’t be done’.
Failure and Success
Steve explains that when he failed in meeting his goals he sat down and analysed the situation. He wrote down the key points on a ‘White board’ and identified the ‘concrete’ facts. He states that with every analysis he realised that change is required to prevent future failure. He then outlines the leadership and organisational challenges need to support the ‘Seven Ocean’s Challenge’. He realised essentially that he ‘could not do it all himself’. The solution that emerged was that he would focus on swimming and he put a team together to look after the other requirements such as fund raising and logistics.
Farmers
Steve outlines what lessons there are for farmers in running their farming operations based on his experiences. He states that his observations of farmers is that ‘you guys are working harder than ever before, many are putting in 18/19 hour days and you are more isolated than ever before’. Steve states ‘we all have to embrace change –co-ops, for instance, across the country are not standing still, they are adopting technology and new approaches on a continuing basis’.
His advice to farmers is ‘you cannot control everything, do not be alone ‘find the people you can work-with to get the job done more efficiently’. He adds ‘surround yourself with good solution-based people. Also ‘There are great sources of advice and support available’ he added.
Family
Steve urges farmers to find time for family and friends. He urges farmers to ‘take a step back’ and make time for your kids. Steve states that time passes quickly. Most of all he encourages farmers ‘not to become isolated’.
His final comments are ‘find people to work-with to succeed’. He added ‘don’t’ wait for people to come to you, it doesn’t work that way’. Set your goals and seek ways to achieve them.
Of course, we must all give COVID- 19 protection our first priority until the virus is eliminated.
Full Farmer Safety, Health & Wellness Webinar - 3 Part Series
Part 1: Steve Redmond, first person to complete the gruelling ‘Seven Ocean’s Challenge’. Steve speaks firstly of what motivated him to take on the Challenge. He then outlines the leadership and organisational challenges need to support the Challenge. He then outlines what lessons there are for farmers in running their farming operations. Steve’s twitter handle is @iswimcoldwater and facebook page is : https://www.facebook.com/SteveRedmondSwims
Part 2: Rena Buckley, winner of a record 18 All Ireland Senior Camogie and Football Medals, and Chartered Physiotherapist. Rena describes the exercise and diet required to prevent injury and stay healthy. She also describes the common forms of musculoskeletal injury that she see among farmers in her physiotherapy practice. Rena’s twitter handle is @Rena bucks and facebook is https://www.facebook.com/RenaBucks
Part 3: John McNamara, Teagasc Health and Safety Specialist, give up-to-date information on both farm injuries and ill health. He then goes on to describe motivational prevention strategies. He points out that ‘total health model’ where both health and safety are promoted is the best approach for farming. John publishes farmer health and safety in Teagasc magazines and on the Teagasc twitter include link and Facebook Include link pages.
See links below for more in Part 2 and Part 3 from Sunday 14th March and Sunday 28th March on #TeagascDaily
- Part 2 Rena Buckley
- Part 3 John McNamara