Making farm safety & mental wellness a priority for all

DFRFR

SCUGOG: Everyone involved in agriculture knows someone whose life has been affected by a farm-related injury or death. In many cases, injuries and deaths can be prevented by following simple safety precautions. The goal of a Progressive Agriculture Safety Day is to help children who live on or visit farms develop an awareness of farm hazards and develop a life-long, positive attitude towards farm safety.

A Progressive Agriculture Safety Day will be held on Saturday, June 10th, at the Fairgrounds in Port Perry, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This morning of interactive learning is open to children aged 5-15 years. There will be demonstrations on Tractor, Animal, Grain, Hearing, Fire, Gun & Sun Safety. Each participant receives a T-shirt, snacks & lunch as well as a take-home bag with resources & information. The registration fee is $5 or $10/family.

We are also encouraging adults to attend our free In the Know Workshop provided by staff from Agriculture Wellness Ontario. This workshop will be held simultaneously with the Safety Day for Kids – at the Scugog Community Recreation Centre. Participants will discuss stress, depression, anxiety, substance abuse and suicide, but more importantly, how to start a conversation around mental well-being with those around them. We would like to recognize the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and our local Durham Federation of Agriculture for their support of this workshop.

Participants for both the Kids Safety Day and Adult Mental Health Workshop are asked to pre-register in advance (spaces are limited) by contacting onfarm@durhamfamilyresources.org or visiting our event website https://www.durhamfamilyresources.org/whats-new/2023-safety-day/

Durham Farm and Rural Family Resources (DFRFR) is pleased to offer these opportunities for children and adults who live and work on farms and in rural areas. DFRFR would like to recognize and extend thanks to our many local sponsors, without whom this event would not be possible.

Gold Sponsors – Rykon Forestry & Mulching, Farm Credit Corporation, East Central Soil & Crop Improvement Association, Durham Region Federation of Agriculture & OFA, Hardco Construction Ltd, NFP Insurance Brokers, Uxbridge & Port Perry Scotiabank, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services

Silver Sponsors - Brown & Brethour Insurance Brokers Ltd., Bob Mark Ford New Holland, Gowanlea Ltd., Green Tractors Inc., Invest Durham, Region of Durham, Link Climate Care, Luchka Farms Inc, Reesor Seed & Grain Ltd & Reesor Elevators, St. Lawrence Grains & F/S, Taylor Forder Insurance Brokers, The Andersons, Victoria County Grains

Bronze Sponsors – Claire Snoddon & Sons Farm Equipment, Durham Dairy Producers, Gray Silo Lavender Farm, Ross Doble Kubota Inc., Sunderland Co-operative Inc.

The Progressive Agriculture Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that plays an active role in training and providing resources for volunteers in communities throughout the US and Canada to host their own Progressive Agriculture Safety Day. This year alone, there will be over 400 Safety Days offered throughout the US and Canada. Farms of all sizes and types can be a wonderful place for children to grow and play; however, it is critical that children are aware of the potential risks and how to manage them.

For more information, contact: Josie Linton, Progressive Agricultural Safety Day Chairperson, DFRFR, by email at onfarm@durhamfamilyresources.org or by phone at 705-341-4747.