Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation
Agricultural News and Information

Greg Gibson, Coordinator
Public Relations / Multimedia
1-800-227-8244 ext. 4154
or 601-977-4154
email: ggibson@msfb.org

Farm Safety Week Focuses on Children in 2008

The Farm Bureau Safety and Health Network’s Agricultural Safety Awareness Week is dedicated to farm safety education with a particular emphasis on children. In recognition of this, 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 that 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 wellbeing, providing high-quality food, fiber and fuel at a reasonable cost.”

Mississippi Farm Bureau President David Waide said educating adults about reducing risks to the children in their care is critical in preventing farm and ranch injuries and deaths.

“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 Waide.

“Grain bins and piles are not acceptable places for children to play. It takes just a few seconds for a person to be pulled down and under a flowing mass of grain and be suffocated,” said Waide.

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 agriculture and rural life.

-30-

The Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation is the state’s largest general farm organization with more than 227,000 member-families statewide. There are Farm Bureaus in all 82 counties in Mississippi where agriculture comprises a fundamental part of Mississippi’s economy. Headquartered in Jackson, the federation is an independent, non-profit agricultural organization and is not associated with any arm of the government. For more information about Farm Bureau, visit our website at www.msfb.com.