Farm safety vs. risk management: What’s the difference and why it matters
Farm safety and risk management are deeply interconnected, forming the foundation of a resilient and sustainable operation.
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The following information is provided by Nationwide, your approved insurance and financial services company.
Farm safety and risk management are both fundamental to running a resilient farm, ranch or agribusiness — but they’re not the same thing.
Each serves a distinct purpose on your operation, and in the day-to-day reality of your work, they can mean very different things. Together, they build long-term farm resilience and help protect your operation from the unexpected, now and in the future.
What is farm safety?
Farm safety is about protecting the people on your operation every single day. It covers the hands-on, practical steps that help prevent accidents and injuries before they happen, including:
- Machinery protocols: Always power down equipment before performing maintenance or cleaning to avoid injuries from moving parts.
- Worker training: Ensure everyone on the operation knows how to safely handle tools, equipment and livestock.
- Safety signage: Keep warning signs and safety instructions clearly visible throughout the farm.
- Hazardous material storage: Store chemicals, fuels and other dangerous substances properly to minimize risk.
“Farm safety is about taking direct, proactive steps to help prevent accidents before they happen,” according to Emily Atwood, Risk Management Services Director at Nationwide. “It’s about keeping everyone on your operation out of harm’s way, every single day.”
What is risk management?
Risk management takes a broader, long-term approach to protecting the financial and operational sustainability of your operation. Rather than focusing on day-to-day safety, it’s about shielding your business from the bigger threats that could disrupt operations or threaten your livelihood and future. This includes:
- Insurance coverage: Maintaining adequate insurance coverage to manage the financial impact of accidents, property damage, equipment breakdowns and liability exposures.
- Written agreements. Establishing clear, written agreements with third parties to define responsibilities and reduce the potential for disputes.
- Contingency planning: Establishing backup plans to minimize downtime when equipment or infrastructure fails.
- Risk identification: Proactively spotting potential vulnerabilities before they become costly problems.
“Effective risk management isn’t just about avoiding problems—it’s about building the resilience to handle them,” said Atwood. “By identifying risks before they arise and putting the right strategies in place, you can help protect your operation from liability, downtime and financial loss.”
How do farm safety and risk management work together?
Farm safety and risk management are deeply interconnected, forming the foundation of a resilient and sustainable operation.
“The two go hand in hand,” said Atwood. “Protecting your people and your operation is what sets you up for long-term success.”
Farm safety focuses on protecting the well-being of people—farmers, workers, and families—by minimizing risks of injuries, accidents, and health hazards through proper training, equipment maintenance, and adherence to safety guidelines. At the same time, risk management identifies potential vulnerabilities and implements strategies that further safeguard workers and assets. Together, they create a proactive approach that protects not only the physical well-being of those on the farm but also the financial health and sustainability of the operation. By prioritizing both, you can create a safer work environment while reducing liabilities and ensuring smoother day-to-day operations.
How can Nationwide help with farm safety and risk management?
Nationwide offers farmers, ranchers and other agricultural operators a range of farm safety and risk management resources, including practical tools, guides, training programs and personalized support from local agents.
Founded by farmers in 1926, Nationwide is a leading U.S. insurer of farms and ranches and a trusted provider of safety and risk management solutions. Resources include safety training materials, checklists for assessing potential hazards and detailed risk management plans tailored to agricultural operations. Additionally, Nationwide offers personalized support through local agents who can work directly with farmers to address their unique challenges. By leveraging these resources, farmers can take proactive steps to safeguard their operations and ensure long-term success.
Learn about how you can make your farm resilient at Farm Risk Ready. The initiative is designed to help farmers prepare for new and future risks. Through tools like the Farm Risk Ready Plan Builder and the Farm Risk Ready Assessment Quiz, you can identify where your operation might be exposed and create a strategy to minimize downtime and financial loss.
Talk with your local Nationwide Farm Certified agent to learn more about how to keep your farm or ranch resilient with the right combination of risk management and farm safety.
Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle, and Nationwide is on your side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2026 Nationwide.
My first recommendation in your journey is to start out with a local farming friend or mentor along with joining an organization like Ohio Farm Bureau.
We’re just so thankful for the Farm Bureau and the foundation for helping put this together. And of course, the Boyert family for the vision they had with this grant. It’s jumping us forward 10 years. It’s unbelievable.
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
It wasn’t until I joined the Wilmington College Collegiate Farm Bureau that I truly saw how my passion could translate into leadership, advocacy and a career.
The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
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