National Rural Health Day: Celebrating the Power of Rural

Safety and health truly go hand in hand for the Progressive Agriculture Foundation® (PAF), and their flagship Progressive Agriculture Safety Day® (PAF Safety Day) program. While PAF touts hands-on, peer-reviewed curriculum on more than 30 safety topic areas, the primary objective has always been to introduce children to preventative strategies. Lessons are designed to help children avoid both present and future health-related concerns by implementing safety measures. Whether at home, at school, or at play, we strive to help children avoid incidents, which could lead to an emergency room visit or an extended hospital stay.

National Rural Health Day

National Rural Health Day, taking place November 20, 2025, is the perfect time to highlight how PAF Safety Day programs are leading children to make safer and healthier decisions on farms, on ranches and throughout rural communities. Since 2011, the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) has set aside the third Thursday of November to celebrate the "Power of Rural" on National Rural Health Day (NRHD). This day is an opportunity to bring attention to and honor the incredible efforts of rural healthcare providers, communities, organizations, State Offices of Rural Health, and other stakeholders dedicated to addressing the unique healthcare needs of rural America.

Creating a Safer & Healthier Culture

One of the most common messages carried through in many PAF Safety Day lessons and reinforced through a variety of hands-on activities and demonstrations is the important role personal protective equipment (PPE) plays in eliminating the risk of severe injuries. From ATVs/UTVs and bicycles, tractors and lawnmowers, livestock and grain, and everything in between, reinforcing the need for PPE is essential. Many lessons include showing the use and benefits of wearing:

• Helmets, Gloves, and Boots

• Eye and Hearing Protection

• Reflectors and High Visibility Clothing

• Seatbelts and Rollover Protection Structures (ROPS)

• Dust Masks and Safety Harnesses

Additionally, lessons also tackle specific health-related topics. For example:

• Sun Safety lessons highlight long-term effects of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays and emphasize the importance of regular use of sunscreen, sunglasses, and wide-brim hats.

• Hearing Safety helps participants learn damage to ears and hearing is irreversible. Therefore, when exposed to loud noises, they have three options: turn it down; walk away; or use hearing protection.

• Healthy Lifestyles covers diet and exercise to proper handwashing techniques.

• Mental Wellness lessons help youth identify what stress may feel like, along with successful coping strategies to alleviate it.

• First Aid/First on the Scene lessons can help participants learn that each second counts in emergency situations, especially in rural communities, and are introduced to life-saving tactics like calling 911, stopping the bleed, and administering CPR.

The Power of Community Partnerships

With a vision that no child would become ill, injured or die from farm, ranch, and rural activities, PAF Safety Day programs rely on key partnerships with local community volunteers to help this concept become a reality. PAF Safety Day programs held throughout North America enlist the help and support of:

• Local hospitals and health care facilities

• Healthcare providers (local doctors and nurses)

• Emergency medical services (EMS)

• Regional agricultural safety and health centers

• State/provincial departments of health

These individuals and organizations volunteer by sharing their expertise and serving on PAF Safety Day planning committees; presenting on safety or health-related topics; being available for on-site first-aid or emergency response; and providing various items for the participant take-home bags.

Protecting the Future Generation

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.

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.