The plan aligns with NNLM’s mission because we aim to improve the public health by providing CHWs equal access to biomedical information specific to the field of agricultural occupational health. This proposal builds AgriSafe’s capacity to meet the workforce training needs of Community Health Workers (CHWs).

AgriSafe is a national non-profit that Protects the People who Feed the World.  We do this by providing health providers and agricultural workers current health and safety guidance. AgriSafe’s content is grounded in reliable science and reputable resources such as the Centers for Disease Control, National Institute of Health and the National Network for Library of Medicine. 

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2022 there were 67,000 community health worker (CHW) jobs in the United States. The projected opportunities for community health workers are about 8,000 job openings per year over the next ten years (14%). This growth rate in CHW job opportunities is much faster than average job growth projections (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024). Community health workers fill an important gap in public health by advocating for access to health and social services, implementing programs and providing education often in the communities they live. Many CHWs are women of color bringing cultural relevance and social justice to health promotion and service access to the communities they are serving (NACHW, 2024).

Community health workers have a presence in all six states in the NNLM Region 3. Of those states, Texas and Missouri rank among the top 13 states that employ CHWs.

CHW workforce development in Region 3 is important as they care for farmers, farmworkers, loggers, and fisherman (referred to as Ag producers). Inclusion of agricultural safety and health content in healthcare professional programs is an innovative strategy to improve the health of agricultural communities.