WASHINGTON -- The Farm Bureau Safety and Health Network's Agricultural Safety Awareness Week, dedicated to farm safety education with a particular emphasis on children, will be noted this week.
In recognition, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer proclaimed March 2-8 as Agricultural Safety Awareness Week. The 2008 theme, "Growing the Most Important Crop," emphasizes making farms and ranches safer for farmers, their family members and employees with special emphasis on children.
In the proclamation, Schafer noted people of all ages, but children in particular, are at risk of injuries on the farm. He also encouraged farmers and ranchers to learn more about preventing workplace hazards that are unique to agriculture.
"In observance of this week, I call upon all Americans to respect safe farm practices and to increase their understanding of agriculture in their states and local communities," said Schafer. "Farmers and ranchers are vital contributors to our nation's well-being, providing high-quality food, fiber and fuel at a reasonable cost."
American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman said educating adults about reducing risks to the children in their care is critical to preventing farm and ranch injuries and deaths.
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"During Ag Safety Awareness Week and throughout the year, state Farm Bureaus across the country are focusing on making farms and ranches safer for farmers, their family members and employees," said Stallman, adding that several farmer and rancher Farm Bureau members are helping spread the word as official spokespersons.
"Learning how to reduce the risks associated with feeding, clothing and fueling our nation is important for farmers and ranchers, so they can continue 'growing the most important crop,' our children," said Stallman, himself a grandfather.
"As farm children grow up, I believe they learn safety values. As parents, it is our duty to instill the importance of safety and precaution," said Yvonne Erickson of Battle Lake, Minn., a national spokeswoman for the national Agricultural Safety Awareness Program. "With 4-H projects, our kids put stickers on augers to remind their dad and the hired help to be a little more careful.
"With more people living away from farms but returning to farms and not understanding safety issues, it is so important to teach all ages about safety issues on rural roads, on farms, at the county fairs, dealing with animals in parades, or neighbors' pets. These are messages we teach through our Farm Bureau safety programs," she said.
For more information, visit www.agsafetynow.com .
The program is part of the Farm Bureau Safety and Health Network. The network consists of professionals affiliated with Farm Bureau that share an interest in identifying and decreasing safety and health risks associated with agricultural and rural life.
