Washtenaw Farm Safety Day set for April 6

Scott Diuble, of Diuble Equipment, speaks about tractor safety at a Farm Bureau event.

Farming is one of the most dangerous occupations there is in this country, and it involves many families. Farms are great places for children to play, visit and work, but they can also be places where kids are injured or even killed. In the U.S., every three days a child dies in an agriculture-related incident and every day about 33 young people are injured in agriculture-related incidents. It is very important that both young people and adults are educated about the potential hazards on a farm so that they can be safe while working and playing around a farm and are better prepared if an accident does occur.

To help those who live and work on farms or visit farms stay safe and learn the basics of farm safety, the Washtenaw County Farm Bureau and Washtenaw County 4-H program, in partnership with local Farm Bureau Insurance agents and the Manchester, Milan and Saline FFA Chapters, is hosting the Washtenaw Farm Safety Day. This free educational program will be held on Saturday, April 6 in Buildings A and B at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Road, Ann Arbor. Sign-in begins at 12:30 pm and there will be several pre-event activities from 12:30 to 1 pm, ranging from a hazard hunt, to safety trivia, to making first aid kits, to a fun photo booth.

The program, featuring six rotating sessions, will be held from 1 to 3 pm. Topics to be covered include tractor safety, grain and wagon safety, animal safety, fire safety, first aid, and small equipment safety. The special activities offered from 12:30 to 1 pm will again be offered from 3 to 3:30 pm, along with free popcorn and door prize drawings. The entire day will be family focused and for all ages. Those interested in attending are strongly encouraged to pre-register at https://washtenaw-farm-safety-day.eventbrite.com.

For more information regarding the event please call 734-428-8610 or email WashCoPandE@gmail.com.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.