RFA Ethanol Podcast

“Straight From the Horse’s Mouth”

Laura McNamara

Farm Safety USAThat title comes straight from Farm Safety USA. The organization is releasing a new children’s farm safety program available on audio CD. The program will feature animals in its kid-friendly campaign.

Animals teach farm safety in a one-of-a-kind, highly entertaining, audio CD series — created to educate children on farm dangers.

“As farmers approach fall harvesting, safety is of high concern for workers and parents of farm children,” says Vickie Harbert of Farm Safety USA, which produced the four CD series.

Harbert says family and friends have been injured and killed in farming accidents, which motivated her to produce the series to educate kids and adults worldwide.

The Fun Farm targets children and teens. In a serious, yet fun way, the farm animals remind them of dangers and what they can do to avoid injury and death during harvest season and all year long.

“Animals talk in Dr. Doolittle and on Mr. Ed; why not on an audio CD educating children about farm safety?” asks Harbert.

The CD series includes 25 adventure stories in all, with an interactive quiz at the end of each show.

“Most accidents are avoidable by safety education,” says Harbert, “and this series will help save lives and limbs.”

She believes the series would not only benefit farm families, but the insurance industry covering farmers, farm implement manufacturers and suppliers, as well as Future Farmers of America, 4-H Clubs and other educational institutions teaching agriculture.

Nationwide, more than 300 children die on farms every year, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Children between the ages of 9 and 15 are most at risk. The bulk of those injuries, experts say, are preventable.

“In order to help children, teens and adults learn and practice farm safety, you must get their attention in a clever, entertaining fashion,” says Shari Burgus, Education Director at Farm Safety 4 Just Kids in Urbandale, Iowa. “These 25 Fun Farm safety adventures are pure entertainment for the whole family while reminding them of the many dangers and precautions to help all farm members stay safe on the farm.”

To listen to samples of the “Fun Farm” audio series, please visit the Farm Safety USA website.

Education, Farming