5 Things We CAN Control This Farm Safety Week

You may have noticed…it’s Farm Safety Week.

As FarmHERs and farm mamas, we can only control so much. This week shouldn’t be a source of stress. Instead, it’s an opportunity to listen to each other’s most challenging experiences, educate ourselves, our families, and our communities, and acknowledge what we can (and can’t!) control. We hope you find comfort in our community of women committed to building a safer, stronger farming & ranching community working hard to feed the world!

*^{FarmHER Megan Shanley Warren and our host Kirbe Schnoor}*

Here are FIVE Things we CAN control…

1. Our Knowledge

Farm safety resources are out there.

The more you know, the better you can protect your farm family from preventable accidents — from eliminating grain bin entrapments and mitigating propane fires to protecting your business from check fraud and protecting livestock when switching feed sources.

When we learn all we can and try to incorporate those ideas into our lives, we honor our farm families by prioritizing their safety. When others are bold enough to share stories of their darkest days, we honor them by listening to what they say and incorporating their advice into our lives.

In the past, we got the opportunity to learn from FarmHER Marilyn Adams, who lost her 11-year-old son, Keith, in a grain bin accident. While her story is hard to hear, she has many powerful things to say. She pleads for others to understand that knowledge and caution are the keys because 100% of grain bin accidents and deaths are avoidable. You heard that right. One-hundred percent.

2. Our Mindset

Bringing about real change takes time, effort, and energy. Let go of the things you cannot control, like time and available resources. Change doesn’t happen overnight! Give yourself grace when you learn about new safety practices and allow yourself to prioritize. Implementing specific ideas might not be possible during harvest season, but it could be the perfect winter project as you prepare for spring.

Implementing real change can also be costly — but don’t let that become a source of stress or frustration. When an infrastructure improvement on your farm benefits your family and workers’ safety or helps protect or improve our land and environment, there’s an excellent chance grant programs will be available to help you achieve your goals!

Here are some resources to get you started:

3. Our Perceptions

Regarding specific topics related to farm safety, what’s always been done might not be the safest option. Allow yourself to take in new information and reformulate your previous beliefs. As we cultivate our understanding of things like ATV safety, incorporating the right kinds of PPE, and other protocols — we can also realize that change can be uncomfortable for others within the operation. We can come together when safety is our priority.

4. Our Autonomy

As Marilyn Adams asserts in our previous blog post, you have a right to say NO regarding your autonomy and safety—and the safety of your children. Others may disagree, but our wishes take precedence. Start the conversations, look into bringing safety training programs to your area, and don’t be afraid to BE BOLD!

You also have a right to protect your own mental health and well-being. It gets harder when you have children (I always remind myself of the pre-boarding safety instructions on an airplane — you must put on YOUR oxygen mask first. Even if, as mothers, that’s the very last thing you would do!)

A recent survey¹ of female farmers in Illinois highlighted the importance of addressing the unique struggles women in agriculture face. Female farmers experiencing higher levels of stress related to geographic isolation were four times more likely to experience depressive symptoms than their male counterparts. It is vital for future research to focus on the relationship between social support and mental health, specifically for female farmers, and interventions to reduce stress should be tailored to their needs. That’s why it’s so important to value your mental health and take steps to protect it.

*^{FarmHER Shelly Muzall of Three Sisters Family Farm}*

5. Our PowHER!

Women in agriculture have a measurable impact on farm safety and well-being in their communities.

Counties surveyed across the United States that reported higher numbers of farms owned and operated by women — according to another recent study about FarmHERs² also reported lower poverty rates, higher life expectancies, higher rates of non-agricultural entrepreneurship, and a greater sense of overall community well-being than the national average. These positive effects trickled over into neighboring counties, too!

Go with your gut. Do what you can. Trust in your power!

Everybody Eats

At the heart of every meal is a story—a tale of dedication, nurture, and the enduring spirit of those who tend the land. Everybody Eats is the place where the narratives of food and agriculture converge. In partnership with FarmHER, we meet courageous women who embody not just the power of nurturing but also the strength of leading in transforming our food systems. They are the unsung heroes, educators, and compassionate souls who have relentless commitment and extraordinary care embedded in cultivating our food. Feed your curiosity, nourish your understanding, and grow your appreciation for the stewards who ensure that Everybody Eats.

Nationwide, a leading provider in farm and ranch insurance, acknowledges that more than half of all farming operations in the United States have at least one female operator. These women constitute the fastest-growing segment of farmers and are known for their innovative approaches. Given the current challenging circumstances, it is critical to assess your insurance coverages and financial services to ensure comprehensive protection and stability for your farm or ranch operations. Find a Nationwide Agent.

Rudolphi JM, Cuthbertson C, Kaur A, Sarol J. A Comparison between Farm-Related Stress, Mental Health, and Social Support between Men and Women Farmers. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2024 May 27;21(6):684. doi: 10.3390/ijerph21060684. PMID: 38928931; PMCID: PMC11204078. ↩︎
* Schmidt, C., Deller, S. C., & Goetz, S. J. (2024). Women farmers and community well-being under modeling uncertainty. Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, 46(1), 275-299. https://doi.org/10.1002/aepp.13406 ↩︎