Ag conference highlights mental health as part of farm safety
The importance of mental health was the first topic highlighted at the Delaware Farm Bureau’s annual ag safety conference.
Delaware Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Chris Brosch opened the event by emphasizing the importance of acknowledging mental health struggles, saying, “A safe farm starts with a healthy you.”
Presenter Steve Breeding, Sussex farm bureau president, said he has recently prioritized mental health discussions nationwide through his role on the American Farm Bureau Federation Promotion and Engagement Committee. Bailey Corwine, an AFBF media relations specialist, joined Breeding in addressing the stigma surrounding mental health challenges in agriculture. Together, they encouraged attendees to regularly check in with themselves and others. They stressed the importance of self-care, including adequate rest, a healthy diet and regular exercise, as essential components of both personal well-being and farm safety.
AFBF’s Farm State of Mind campaign offers various mental health resources, including helpful tips, peer support, opioid misuse assistance and a support directory.
Todd Givler of Nationwide also spoke on grain bin safety. He acknowledged that while avoiding grain bin entry is unrealistic, minimizing risk is crucial. Givler urged attendees to lead by example, as employees and family members often model their behavior on what they see.
Gina Martinez and Roger Furman from the Delaware Department of Labor’s Office of Safety & Health Consultation introduced their SafeDE program, which helps farms maintain safety standards. Through SafeDE, small and medium-sized agricultural businesses can request free on-site safety and health consultations. While no citations are issued during these visits, business owners must address any identified concerns within an agreed-upon time frame.
Furman also demonstrated the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Safety Pays tool, which allows business owners to calculate the financial impact of workplace injuries and compare their costs to those of similarly sized employers. For details, go to osha.gov/safetypays/tool.
Amanda Wilgus, an outpatient oupational therapist, provided guidance on proper lifting techniques to reduce injury risks. She advised attendees to keep their arms close to the body, exhale while lifting, maintain good posture and bend at the knees.
Steven Majchrzak of Sussex Irrigation discussed irrigation system safety, emphasizing proper manufacturing, installation, and maintenance. He reminded attendees to lock out and tag out equipment during maintenance, avoid parking in wheel tracks, and remain cautious of overhead power lines.
The conference concluded with a presentation on proper pesticide-handling practices from Kerry Richards of UD Cooperative Extension.
