The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Community

Related Photos

Discussion

February 6, 2009

Preventing accidents possible and preferable; meeting set for Feb. 23

Extension Today

By Gary W. Micsky

The forecast of warming temperatures is welcome news to area farmers weary of the cold, ice and snow which has gripped the area. Spring planting finally seems within grasp. However, longer days mean longer hours in the field, which lead to increased risk of farm accidents.

In the past week, many area farmers were fortunate to hear Davis “Dave” Hill, director of Penn State’s Managing Agricultural Emergencies program speak at the AgChoice Farm Credit producers meeting near Clarks Mills. Many thanks to AgChoice for making this presentation part of their program and taking a lead role in promoting farm safety.

Dave’s presentation focused on how we all make risk-benefit decisions throughout our daily routines, our historic record of being one of the worst areas in the state for farm fatalities, and the efforts of Penn State Extension, local agri-business and dedicated volunteers to reverse this trend.

Preventing accidents is both possible and preferable, but we all know that they inevitably can and do occur. What we do to educate ourselves in evaluating risks on the farm is important.

So is teaching everyone on the farm to practice safe working procedures every day — every time. Nevertheless, being prepared to react to the unthinkable is critical if someone is involved in a serious accident or life threatening situation.

Think about it: Would you know how to respond to an accident if you discovered it? Are you sure? Life is the most precious commodity we have on our farms and we measure it in time. For many of the more common and serious accidents encountered on the farm, time is your enemy.

The Mercer County Agricultural Health and Rural Safety Advisory Committee has been an extremely dedicated group of volunteers who have worked hard for many years to help us provide educational programs devoted to farm safety and we have witnessed a dramatic decline in farm fatalities in our region.

Most, if not all, of these volunteers have become involved due in part to an accident which happened to someone close to them. They know the phrase, “It won’t happen to me,” is unrealistic.

They know the danger and find doing nothing about it is unacceptable.

Our committee invites you to become involved in the discussion with us.

When you consider the risks of farm life, ask yourself if a few hours of your time is worth keeping those you love alive.

Our next meeting will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 23 in the Mercer County Extension Office. Representatives of our Amish community are encouraged to attend and discuss their perceived educational needs as well. Together, we can continue to make a difference.



Gary W. Micsky is sustainable agriculture/natural resources educator for Mercer County Cooperative Extension. Contact him at: 724-662-3141 or by e-mail: MercerExt@psu.edu

Text Only
Community
  • Check out The Exhibit

    Current and past art students at Sharpsville Area High School will show their wares this weekend in the school’s second student-organized art show.

    May 17, 2012

  • hillview garden Art show highlights new GC gardens

    Elementary kids in Grove City adopted Grove City Community Gardens to highlight at their spring art show, and were given a unique garden of their own by a noted sculptor.

    May 10, 2012 1 Photo

  • Scouts to fete Knecht, Mastrian

    French Creek Council, Boy Scouts of America, will honor Will Knecht and John “Chip” Mastrian with its 24th Annual Distinguished Citizen Award at a banquet May 22 in The Corinthian, Sharon.

    May 8, 2012

  • Academy as popular as ever

    Hermitage School District Summer Academy is offering more courses than last year and has already equaled last year’s course enrollments.

    May 8, 2012

  • Chorale family affair

    Christine and Terry Bowman met in the Sharon High marching band, and music has been an integral part of their life together.

    May 3, 2012

  • Songwriter’s isolation blooms into ‘Marigold’

    Rick Hornyak had just moved to San Antonio and, separated from his friends in Austin, looked inward.

    April 26, 2012

  • Local girl has way with poetry

    Marissa Works came from nowhere to win a poetry recitation competition at Hickory High School.

    April 24, 2012

  • bmwomen Women's work

    Calling the Masury-Brookfield Woman’s Club a social organization is just half of it.

    April 22, 2012 1 Photo

  • Local band’s music reflects ‘sense of place’

    Terry Dach described his new recording as “organic,” but immediately turned to James Willaman for a definition of the term in a musical sense.
    “Does that mean we did it ourselves?” Dach asked.

    April 12, 2012

  • Old school

    Generations of students learned to read and write in the Hutchinson School, a one-room schoolhouse on Mitchell Road in Shenango Township. Today, historians hope those students’ descendants step forward to furnish and refurbish the small, red brick school to its former glory.

    April 8, 2012