A farm safety program that gives students in West Central Alberta and elsewhere tips about keeping out of harm's way on farms and ranches is doing a great job, members of the Mountain View County Agricultural Service Board (ASB) said last week.
During last week's monthly board meeting on March 18, Laura Nelson, executive director of the Alberta Farm Safety Centre (AFSC), gave a teleconference presentation to board members on the centre's ‘Safety Smarts' program.
The AFSC is a not-for-profit organization that works with partner organization to reduce farm injuries and fatalities.
In 2012 the program saw 1,664 elementary students in eight Mountain View County-area schools receive instruction on how to be safe around farm equipment, farm chemicals, livestock and other things on farms and ranches.
“We believe that our program instructors all understand the challenges and responsibilities of farm and rural life,” Nelson told the ASB. “We believe that part of the power of what they are able to do is that they are able to be face to face with the children.
“We all want to be seen as part of the solution and we are hoping we can help.”
In a letter received by the ASB, Nelson added: “Often youth, especially younger children, are not fully aware of the many potential hazards presented by rural living. Increasing their awareness and ability to make informed decisions is extremely important.
“Investing in youth is a wise investment in the future of the province. Influencing their personal attitudes and action now will pay significant dividends moving forward, as they become our next generation of agricultural producers.”
‘Safety Smarts' presentations will be made in at least eight Mountain View County schools, as well as to home-school students and area Hutterite colonies, this school year. The program is offered free of charge.
Nelson noted that on average four Alberta children die every year in farm-related accidents and mishaps.
“Each young life lost is a tragedy with ripples reaching out within families and communities for generations,” she said.
Mountain View County councillor and board member Kevin Good called the program a great way to keep kids safe.
“You don't have to convince me of the value of your program,” said Good. “I have two kids, and when they were in Kindergarten and Grade 1, they came home and were telling me what I've been trying to tell them forever (about farm safety). Because they heard it in school, it was all of a sudden something they should be doing.
“When they hear it at school it has way more impact than if you tell them at home.”
Having specialized instructors teach the kids about farm safety is more effective than having regular teachers doing the instruction, she said.
“The vast majority of teachers in their evaluations of the program made comments like, ‘I'm glad it wasn't me because I have no connection and it wouldn't have had the impact it did on the kids',” said Nelson.
“We really work hard to maintain our relationship with the schools and to let them know how much we appreciate that opportunity. The schools are an opportunity (for safety instruction) that we would never want to move away from.”
Program organizers are always seeking input and comments from the agricultural community to improve instruction and to address current issues surrounding farm safety, she said.
ASB member Brian Rodger suggested program officials might want to consider working with 4-H clubs.
“From my experience being a 4-H leader, maybe one of the target things that could be looked at is when 4-H has a regional event or a district event, maybe a speaker (from the program) could come in,” said Rodger.
“I know when my kids were young and they went to a 4-H thing up in Olds, they actually saw coveralls being wrapped around a PTO (power takeoff) shaft and could see for themselves how fast it really can happen.”
Rodgers said he sits on the district Mountain View board for 4-H “so I can actually bring this up with them and make them aware that you guys are willing to work with them on something like that.”
The ASB has recommended that the county provide $4,200 to help fund the program again in 2013, which is the same amount provided in 2012.
MVC council will make the final funding decision during budget deliberations.
There are 70 agriculture service boards in Alberta. They advise local councils and the provincial government of issues related to farming, ranching and food production.
More information on the ‘Safety Smarts' program is available online at abfarmsafety.com.
