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Ohio Farm Bureau would like to remind farmers to be safe on the farm. A national campaign titled "Farm Safety is Coming of Age" is the theme of this year’s Agriculture Safety Awareness Program, March 6 to 12.

According to OFBF Director of Safety and Youth Activities Darrell Rubel, as spring approaches in rural areas, thoughts turn to planting season. Farmers’ schedules are hectic, and many farm family members have off-farm jobs to complete as well as their work on the farm. When planting season arrives, it is a busy time, but it is important to promote safe practices on the farm, too.

This year’s campaign focuses on senior and child safety as well as ATV safety. The "Farm Safety Is Coming of Age" theme also recognizes that producing the safest and most abundant food in the world involves all members of the farm family in age appropriate tasks. Farm safety must be emphasized year-round from the oldest to the youngest and from grandchild to grandparent.

According to Rubel, "We want to remind agricultural producers that, in the rush of completing their tasks on farms, they need to take time to act safely and to repair or replace safety devices that protect them, their family members and employees from injuries and fatalities. Accidents happen all too frequently as a result of rushing, taking shortcuts or being distracted."

OFBF is encouraging county Farm Bureaus to promote the safety campaign. County safety coordinators have received promotional materials such as sample letters to the editor, public service announcements, news releases and other ideas counties can implement.

The campaign is sponsored by American Farm Bureau. A committee of state safety coordinators, including OFBF’s Rubel, created the campaign. Other states involved were Virginia, Utah and Arizona.