South Dakota Farmers Union Links Farm & Ranch Families to Farm Safety Videos this Summer

Posted on: June 6, 2016 | Categories: Farm Safety, News Releases

June 6, 2016 – By #South Dakota Farmer Union

South Dakota Farmers Union, in conjunction with National Farmers Union is working to raise awareness about farm and ranch safety issues and best practices through a series of 10 educational videos.

“Farming and ranching is a family business – which means parents and their children are often working together during the summer months. It’s great way to promote a healthy work ethic, but we cannot forget that this work can also be dangerous – no matter how old you are,” said Doug Sombke, S.D. Farmers Union President and fourth-generation Conde farmer.

Sombke currently farms with his sons. He encourages farm and ranch families to take time to watch these videos to increase safety awareness. “We live and work on our farms and ranches, so it’s good to have a reminder of the dangers so we can keep ourselves and the ones we love safe,” Sombke said.

Nearly 500 farm work-related deaths occur annually, according to a 2013 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics study, and machinery accidents account for approximately a quarter of them. Four of the farm safety videos focus on topics related to farm equipment. Other video topics include safety measures for livestock handling, grain hauling and storage, chemical use and keeping kids safe on the farm.

South Dakota Farmers Union makes farm safety education a part of their summer youth programming. The annual Team Up For Safety Quiz Bowl is yet another way that S.D. Farmers Union engages teens in farm safety education. During Farmers Union Day at the South Dakota State Fair, Farmers Union hosts the Team Up For Safety Quiz Bowl Championship.

The farm safety videos, produced by National Farmers Union were made possible by the generous support of CHS Foundation, National Farmers Union Foundation, National Farmers Union Insurance, Hastings Mutual Insurance, Midwest Agency, North Dakota Farmers Union Insurance and Montana Farmers Union.

Last Modified: 06/06/2016 3:13:53 pm MDT