NATIONAL FARM SAFETY & HEALTH WEEK
SEPTEMBER 15-21, 2024
Public and land-grant universities play a key role in supporting farm safety and health. Through education, research, outreach, and other community support they help reduce risks in the agricultural sector and promote farmers' mental and physical health.
Aiding farmers with mental health struggles
Agricultural producers have one of the highest suicide rates of any industry in the nation but can have limited access to healthcare or be hesitant to seek help. In response, land-grant universities nationwide have developed specialized programs aimed at addressing mental health challenges within the farming community.
Agricultural Safety and Health Research and Extension
Across the nation, people who work or live on farms and ranches are regularly exposed to dangerous machinery, biological pathogens, confined spaces, extreme temperatures, and other hazards. Since 2000, a committee of experts at land-grant universities across the U.S. has worked to pinpoint the knowledge, outreach, engineering, and legislation needed to prevent work-related injury, illness, and death.
Agricultural Safety and Health Research and Extension
Across the nation, people who work or live on farms and ranches are regularly exposed to dangerous machinery, biological pathogens, confined spaces, extreme temperatures, and other hazards. Since 2000, a committee of experts at land-grant universities across the U.S. has worked to pinpoint the knowledge, outreach, engineering, and legislation needed to prevent work-related injury, illness, and death.
AgrAbility: Renewing Hope, Restoring Productivity
The vision of AgrAbility is to enhance quality of life for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers with disabilities, so that they, their families, and their communities continue to succeed in rural America. The national and state level AgrAbility Projects are partnerships between a land-grant university and at least one nonprofit disability organization.
AgrAbility: Renewing Hope, Restoring Productivity
The vision of AgrAbility is to enhance quality of life for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers with disabilities, so that they, their families, and their communities continue to succeed in rural America. The national and state level AgrAbility Projects are partnerships between a land-grant university and at least one nonprofit disability organization.
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
A team from UW–Madison cultivates communities that can contend with farm stress together, through programs like “WeCOPE” (COPE stands for “Connecting with Our Positive Emotions”) and Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and QPR (Question. Persuade. Refer.), two suicide prevention programs.
EMERGENCY RESPONDERS CREDIT COOPERATIVE EXTENSION TRAINING FOR RESCUE
PENN STATE
A grain bin rescue course offered by Penn State Extension prepared emergency responders to implement the “Great Walls of Rescue” device and save the lives of two farm workers this August.
Photo courtesy of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
SEEDS OF WELLBEING
UNIVERSITY OF HAWAIʻI AT MĀNOA
Due to high rates of stress, depression and suicide among Hawaiian farmers, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa developed Seeds of Wellbeing (SOW) to promote better mental health for those who work in the agriculture industry. SOW provides workshops and educational materials in multiple languages to equip individuals with practical skills for managing stress and promoting mental well-being.
Photo courtesy of the University of Georgia.
UNIVERSITY GEORGIA
An outreach program offered by the University of Georgia trains military veterans to start their own farms. Farm Boot Camp offers free monthly trainings and specialized workshops to provide essential skills and knowledge needed to start or return to farming operations.
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN
Health screenings play a crucial role in promoting well-being, especially in rural communities. Students from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will perform health screenings, including blood pressure and skin cancer checks as part of a new Health and Wellness initiative at the Husker Harvest Days annual farm show.
Photo courtesy of North Dakota State University.
NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
At NDSU Extension's Farm Safety Camp, teens gain skills for use on the farm and in life. It's an effort to make the most dangerous industry as safe as it can be, particularly for teens.
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
Experts highlight the need for different precautions for working and non-working kids on the farm. This article shares key safety tips to protect young, non-working children from the hazards of farm equipment and environments during the busy farming season.
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
With planting season is now in full swing, and with the increased presence of farm machinery on the roads, it’s more important than ever for drivers to stay alert and prioritize safety. Large, slow-moving equipment like tractors and combines may take up more space and move at slower speeds than typical vehicles.
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
A team from UW–Madison cultivates communities that can contend with farm stress together, through programs like “WeCOPE” (COPE stands for “Connecting with Our Positive Emotions”) and Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and QPR (Question. Persuade. Refer.), two suicide prevention programs.
EMERGENCY RESPONDERS CREDIT COOPERATIVE EXTENSION TRAINING FOR RESCUE
PENN STATE
A grain bin rescue course offered by Penn State Extension prepared emergency responders to implement the “Great Walls of Rescue” device and save the lives of two farm workers this August.
Photo courtesy of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
SEEDS OF WELLBEING
UNIVERSITY OF HAWAIʻI AT MĀNOA
Due to high rates of stress, depression and suicide among Hawaiian farmers, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa developed Seeds of Wellbeing (SOW) to promote better mental health for those who work in the agriculture industry. SOW provides workshops and educational materials in multiple languages to equip individuals with practical skills for managing stress and promoting mental well-being.
Photo courtesy of the University of Georgia.
UNIVERSITY GEORGIA
An outreach program offered by the University of Georgia trains military veterans to start their own farms. Farm Boot Camp offers free monthly trainings and specialized workshops to provide essential skills and knowledge needed to start or return to farming operations.
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN
Health screenings play a crucial role in promoting well-being, especially in rural communities. Students from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will perform health screenings, including blood pressure and skin cancer checks as part of a new Health and Wellness initiative at the Husker Harvest Days annual farm show.
Photo courtesy of North Dakota State University.
NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
At NDSU Extension's Farm Safety Camp, teens gain skills for use on the farm and in life. It's an effort to make the most dangerous industry as safe as it can be, particularly for teens.
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
Experts highlight the need for different precautions for working and non-working kids on the farm. This article shares key safety tips to protect young, non-working children from the hazards of farm equipment and environments during the busy farming season.
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
With planting season is now in full swing, and with the increased presence of farm machinery on the roads, it’s more important than ever for drivers to stay alert and prioritize safety. Large, slow-moving equipment like tractors and combines may take up more space and move at slower speeds than typical vehicles.
EQUINE EXTENSION PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
The UMN Equine Extension Program offers educational videos on safe handling of horses, trailer maintenance, biosecurity best practices, and more on their YouTube channel.
EQUINE EXTENSION PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
The UMN Equine Extension Program offers educational videos on safe handling of horses, trailer maintenance, biosecurity best practices, and more on their YouTube channel.