Each year, Progressive Agriculture Safety Days© reach tens of thousands of kids across the United States and Canada with potential life-saving education.
Accidental injuries are responsible for nearly 12,000 deaths of children and teens, every year1. While “kids will be kids” and bruises and scrapes are a part of growing up, we can reduce this number.
What Can We Do?
In the past 40 years, this issue has gained a lot of attention and many public health and safety organizations have invested tremendous resources into education. Together, business, agriculture, and youth organizations have championed programs with hands-on, experiential learning, to reduce and prevent these tragedies.
Citrus County 4-H Progressive Agriculture Foundation Safety Day
Citrus County 4-H partnered with Florida Best Blueberry owners, Tony and Cindy Russ, and the Progressive Agriculture Foundation to offer safety education with a series of educational stations. 4-H and FFA youth leaders assisted with activities to promote electrical, water, and machinery safety.
Brian Thomas, IRBY construction company, taught electrical safety sharing his “tools of the trade. Dr. Serap Gorucu, from the University of Florida’s Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department brought a unique tool. The power take-off (PTO) simulator allowed the participants to relate reaction time to rotation. At 9-16 revolutions/second, loose pants, boot laces, and jewelry can be wrapped around the PTO very quickly. This is because reaction time is much slower than the speed of an engaged PTO.
By partnering with the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, youth learned to be safe on the water with whistles, sharing a water plan, and avoiding swimming alone.
A Focus on Mental Wellness
At the mental health awareness station, youth self-identified stressors, including homework, school, chores, and family responsibilities. They shared peer to peer strategies for reducing stress. One youth demonstrated a breathing technique that has worked for them. As a result of attending the Safety Day, youth were able to interact with safety-trained adults and practice safety skills.
Progressive Agriculture Foundation Safety Day
With a mission to provide education, training, and resources to make farm, ranch and rural life safer and healthier for children and their communities, the Foundation supports communities across the nation and world.
As we recognize Agriculture Safety Week, be mindful of the important role of agricultural workers on food and resource access. Young people require the skills to be the agricultural leaders of tomorrow. Use this QR code to learn more about ways to be “Ag. Safe”.
1.According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the agriculture sector is the most dangerous in the country. There are 573 fatalities each year in the farming profession, which equals 23 deaths per 100,000 workers. Sep 21, 2021
2
