To the Editor:

National Farm Safety and Health Week is Sept 15-21 (and the other 51 weeks of the year). Tragically, in the first few weeks of harvest, Minnesota has already lost three farmers in farm related accidents. Roadway crashes are a leading cause of injuries and death in agriculture. For drivers on the road, please watch for slow moving vehicles and follow passing laws, just as you would any other vehicle you pass. Tractors and equipment need to be moved from field to field and farmers do their best to use the safest routes to do so, but they still need to share the road. Everyone wants to get back to their homes every night safely.

Farmers, be sure your lights are working properly before getting on the road. As harvest season begins, it can be easy to get caught up in the rush of this time of year. Be sure you take time to take care of yourself. Eat well, get enough sleep and catch a quick nap if needed. Those 10 minutes could save a life if it means you make better judgments. It only takes a split second for disaster to happen.

Be sure everyone on the farm knows how to turn off equipment in the event of an emergency — including family members who are not a part of the day to day operation. Have basic emergency supplies on hand and be sure everyone knows the location of your farm or field in the event they need to call 911. Work in pairs when working near manure storage and in confined spaces.

The National Education Center for Agriculture Safety has an abundance of resources for safety training at www.necasag.org/nationalfarmsafetyandhealthweek/. Your mental health is also important to keep in check. If you are struggling with the stress of farming please reach out to someone for help. Dial 988 to reach the suicide and crisis hotline. There are also wellness resources at fbmn.org/in-action/wellness-resources or farmstateofmind@fb.org

May you all be safe and well and blessed in this harvest season.

Jill Nelson

Sleepy Eye

— Jill Nelson is president of the Brown County Farm

Bureau