August 21, 2008

Forum to help farmers prepare for emergency situations

The event is the annual effort of the Indiana Rural Safety and Health Council to reach out to the more than 60,000 farm families in the state.

Emergency response and rescue in agricultural workplaces will be the focus of this year's forum. Speakers will discuss topics such as bull attacks and grain entrapment that require emergency response and ways to be prepared for these situations. 

"When deciding on the location for the forum we like to pick an area that relates to the forum's topic. This year we decided to do it in Johnson County due to a grain bin accident that occurred earlier in the year," said Bill Field professor of agriculture and biological engineering at Purdue University.

A new feature at this year's forum targets youth.

"An obstacle course will be set up for youth to compete in a tractor driving contest that emphasizes safe driving techniques and tips to remember when operating machinery," Field said.

The Indiana Rural Safety and Health Council will give each school that attends the event up to $100 to help cover the cost of fuel.

This forum can help others throughout Indiana learn what farming families are doing to instill agricultural health and safety practices, he said.

"One benefit of attending the forum is that participants get the chance to network with companies and organizations such as Purdue, Farm Bureau Insurance, Indiana Young Farmers, Indiana FFA, and Indiana Farm Bureau Inc., Field said. "Being able to network with these companies and other farm organizations is a great opportunity because it allows participants to establish relationships that may come in handy later on down the road."

There is no cost to attend the forum but preregistration, which includes lunch and handouts, by Aug. 29 is required. To register call Bill Field at (765) 494-1191, or e-mail field@purdue.edu.

Writer: Ashley Bechman, (765) 494-8402, aabechma@purdue.edu

Source: Bill Field, (765) 494-1191, field@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
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