The University of Wisconsin Center for Agricultural Safety and Health announced the availability of $15,000 to award grants for farm safety and education, training, or informational programs. Grants will be awarded for amounts up to $500 per county with groups securing or providing equal matching funds.
As we move into another growing season, we’re aware that farming continues to be the nation’s “most dangerous” occupation as measured by the number of deaths per 100,000 workers ,” said Cheryl Skjolaas, UW-Madison Division of Extension agricultural safety and health specialist. “Programs receiving county farm safety grants provide a focus on the farm safety and health issues for youth and adults. These community-based efforts target local needs and interests and work towards reducing the number of farm-related fatalities.”
The grants help counties sponsor programs focusing on farm safety and health prevention efforts. Priority will continue to be use with Wisconsin Safe Operation of Tractor and Machinery Certification Programs.
“Every year there is a new generation of youth ready to start working on their family farm or to be employed on a local farm,” Skjolaas said. “The Wisconsin Safe Operation of Tractor and Machinery Certification provides these youth with a basic safety awareness on tractor and machinery operation, so the programs remain a priority.”
Funds may also be used for programs such as:
- occupational safety and health training for employees or farm family members;
- hazard inspections trainings for farm operators and employees;
- emergency personnel training for farm accident rescue;
- farm safety day camps or school programs for youth; and
- public policy forum on agricultural safety and health.
The programs are to be developed in consultation with county extension personnel, agricultural education instructors, public health personnel, or other person with expertise or interest in farm safety topics
Proposals are due by April 30, 2021. Application guidelines are available at https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/agsafety/county-grants/. The grants will be awarded in May 2021; activities are to be completed by December 31, 2021.
For further information visit Extension’s Agricultural Safety and Health website at https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/agsafety/
