PRESS RELEASE. Springtime brings everything out of winter dormancy and into production. With the warmer temperatures, plants and grasses begin to flourish bringing folks outside. Many of whom will be planting, harvesting, landscaping, or welcoming new livestock and pets. Sponsored by Clemson Extension, Colleton County 4-H, and Colleton County FFA, in conjunction with the Progressive Agriculture Foundation, a Progressive Agriculture Safety Day® for children ages 5-18 has been planned for April 30, 2022, at the National Guard Armory located at 849 Cottageville Highway in Walterboro from 9 am – 2 pm. According to livestock experts, children see farm and livestock operations as exciting playgrounds providing endless hours of fun and adventure. These facilities and the livestock equipment on them can also set the stage for tragedy.
Each year, many children are killed or injured on America’s farms and ranches. Safety Days suck as the one being hosted by Clemson Extension, Colleton County 4-H and FFA are being held in locations all across the US, Canada, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa to teach rural children how to prevent injuries and reduce the risk of farm and home incidents. During the Safety Day, children participate in interactive activities that reinforce the importance of taking responsibility for their own safety, respecting parents’ safety rules and sharing safety tips with their family and friends.
Hands-on demonstrations teach participants lifesaving first aid techniques and reveal the hidden hazards of farm surroundings. Demonstrations focus on hazards associated with animals and livestock, lawn tools and equipment, tractors, chemicals, water, being home alone, and electricity. International, state/provincial, and local sponsors of the Safety Day hope participants will maintain a healthy respect for farm and home hazards throughout their lives, and that, ultimately, the number of deaths and injuries among rural children will decline. Progressive Agriculture Safety Day® is sponsored by internationally Bunge, Nutrien, CHS, TC Energy, John Deere, Farm Credit, Enbridge, Bayer, Cargill, Corteva, CASA/ACSA. Local sponsors of the event are PRTC, Colleton County Farm Bureau, Colleton County Soil and Water Conservation District, Benton’s Feed and Seed, and FloraLife.
The Safety Day program allows community leaders to structure a Safety Day that covers basic farm safety issues and first aid, as well as addressing specific local needs. Local farmers, manufacturers and merchants donate their time and equipment to ensure that each Safety Day is a fun and valuable learning experience.
Parents can register their children to participate in the Safety Day by calling Dawn Stuckey at 843-549-2595 or emailing dstucke@clemson.edu. You can also pre-register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/progressive-agriculture-safety-day-tickets-326021036697 Registration must be completed, online or in person, in order to participate in the event.
