A Preventative, Proactive, and Hands-On Approach to Safety
According to the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Safety and Health, about every three days a child dies, and every day around 33 children are injured due to agriculture-related incidents in the United States. Sadly, when a child is severely or fatally injured, the entire community suffers. These tragedies can have lasting, devastating impacts on everything from the emotional well-being of family and friends, a strain on relationships, legal consequences, and can even jeopardize the farm itself.
Therefore, for three decades, rather than taking a reactive approach to these types of tragedies impacting rural communities, the Progressive Agriculture Foundation (PAF) has been proactive by educating through its flagship Progressive Agriculture Safety Day® (PAF Safety Day) program. With customizable and unique delivery modes, coupled with peer-reviewed curriculum on more than 30 relevant topics, hundreds of PAF Safety Day programs take place annually in communities and schools across North America.
Through these programs, potentially life-saving messages are being introduced and reinforced, and children are learning to adopt safer practices and make healthier decisions through by participating various hands-on activities and demonstrations. The participants also go on to share the lessons learned with family and friends, creating a safer culture and leading to stronger, healthier communities.
Investing in the Safety of the Future Generation
While the sobering statistics speak for themselves and news reports attract attention, inspiring stories of knowledge-gained, adoption of safe practices, or lives saved due to preventative measures often fail to get the recognition or attention they deserve.
County Extension Director, Darrue Sharp of Autaugaville, Alabama, may only be in his first year coordinating a PAF Safety Day, but he is already seeing the impact of the program. Darrue recently shared that during a tractor and lawnmower safety demonstration while pointing out the hazards and danger zones around a riding lawnmower, that one little girl raised her hand and shared that she rode on her father's lap all the time. The presenter (a local 4-H Agent) stressed how dangerous this situation was and that the little girl should tell her father that she cannot ride on his lap anymore because she could fall and become severely injured. Sharp said, "This lesson must have really stuck with her because her father let us know that the whole way home after the event, she kept telling him she couldn't ride anymore with him because she had learned how dangerous it was, and she could fall off and get seriously hurt. It’s evident this young girl definitely learned a great lesson in safety, and it served as a great reminder to her father."
While many look at rides on the tractor or lawnmower as being a rite of passage or family tradition, tractor-related incidents are one of the primary causes of fatalities among children on the farm. Others may also argue the time spent together on the tractor or lawnmower is quality time. From being crushed by a wheel, being run over by the equipment or attached implement, or opening and falling out the door of a closed cab, these preventable incidents happen in a blink of an eye. Darrue’s story reminded us of a past campaign developed by the National Childhood Agricultural Safety Network, “it is easier to bury a tradition, than it is a child.”
Ellen Duysen, Research Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health in Omaha, Nebraska, has been a driving force in agricultural health and safety education across the Midwest. While currently providing leadership as vice-chairperson of the PAF Borad of Directors, she is also a dedicated PAF Coordinator. Ellen has experienced countless moments that affirm why the program is important. According to Ellen, “one moment that stands out was a student who came up to me after a hearing conservation session—earplugs in—and said, ‘I’m going to remind my dad and mom to wear earplugs when they are on the mower.’ I gave him a few extra pairs. That’s the ripple effect we hope for; kids becoming advocates for safety at home.” Ellen went onto share, “another time, a student who had attended a PAF Safety Day previously approached our booth at Husker Harvest Days and proudly explained grain bin safety to his family. It’s those small but powerful moments that remind me why this work matters!”
Ellen’s comments serve as a great reminder of why PAF Safety Day programs primarily focus on educating children. While some adults may be set in their ways, resistant to change, or have trouble deviating from their routines, children are quick to absorb the information presented at the PAF Safety Day program and use the knowledge gained from their experience to help teach others Parents of participants often comment to the local PAF Coordinators that they learned something new from their child’s involvement or were surprised to learn some of their current practices around the home, farm, or ranch were dangerous and unsafe. This is another example of the program’s ripple effect.
Seeking Mission-Driven Partners
Progressive Agriculture Safety Day® (PAF Safety Day) continues to be recognized as the largest rural safety and health education program for children in North America. Since its inception in 1995, the program has reached more than two million children and adults with age-appropriate, hands-on learning experiences.
PAF continuously looks to partner with safety and health champions willing to lead the charge locally and share their time, talent, and treasure with others. Each year, the Foundation educates, equips, and mentors hundreds of volunteers from across North America to serve in the role of PAF Coordinator. These individuals hail from various professions and organizations.
You, too, can join the mission and provide education, training, and resources to make farm, ranch, and rural life safer and healthier for all children, their families, and their communities. Visit www.progressiveag.org for more information and click on Get Involved to learn about volunteer opportunities, donating to the cause, or how to bring a PAF Safety Day to your local community.