NC A&T Presents Farm Safety Day

September 23, 1997

Greensboro, NC: Faculty members from the North Carolina A&T State University School of Agriculture will coordinate a farm safety demonstration day, September 26, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market. The event is scheduled in conjunction with Farm Safety Week, September 21 to 27.

"Farm Safety Week calls attention to the great number of accidents which occur annually on farms across the United States," said John Paul Owens, an instructor with the NC A&T School of Agriculture and a survey coordinator for A&T's Farm Safety Project. "This event is especially important going into the very dangerous harvest season."

Agriculture is one of the most accident-prone industries in the United States. Tractor accidents, pesticide poisonings, misuse of harvesting equipment and other errors have taken their toll on the lives, limbs and livelihoods of hundreds of North Carolina farmers.

Featured during the day are demonstrations on tractor and machinery safety, chainsaw safety, pesticide handling, and the importance of protective clothing. A number of exhibitors from state and local agencies will also be on hand.

Skin cancer and blood pressure screening will also be available.

A meal, compliments of A&T's Farm Safety Project, will be served, free of charge, to the first 100 farmers who register for the event. Farmers in Guilford County may pre-register by calling Guilford County Cooperative Extension Center at (336) 334-7901. Farmers in Forsyth County may pre-register by calling Ms. Beth Massey at the Forsyth Cooperative Extension Office, (336) 767-8213. Other farmers may pre-register by calling Mr. John Paul Owens at (336) 334-7901. On site registration will also be conducted the morning of the demonstration.

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