Safety was a top priority on Wednesday, March 26, during the Delaware Farm Bureau (DEFB)’s annual Ag Safety Conference at Loblolly Acres in Viola.
Throughout the conference, mental health emerged as a recurring theme. Delaware Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Chris Brosch opened the event by emphasizing the importance of acknowledging mental health struggles, stating, “A safe farm starts with a healthy you.”
This topic was highlighted by several presenters, most notably Steve Breeding and Bailey Corwine, who led a session on mental health awareness and available resources. Breeding, DEFB First Vice President and Sussex County Farm Bureau President, has recently prioritized mental health discussions. Through his role on the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Promotion and Engagement Committee, he has shared his experiences with Farm Bureau members nationwide
Corwine, an AFBF Media Relations Specialist, joined Breeding in addressing the stigma surrounding mental health challenges in agriculture. Together, they encouraged attendees to regularly check in with themselves and others. They stressed the importance of self-care, including adequate rest, a healthy diet, and regular exercise, as essential components of both personal well-being and farm safety.
AFBF’s Farm State of Mind campaign offers various mental health resources, including helpful tips, peer support, opioid misuse assistance, and a support directory.
The conference also covered critical safety topics beyond mental health. Todd Givler, Nationwide Senior Consultant of Sponsor Relations for PA, MD, and DE, spoke on grain bin safety. He acknowledged that while avoiding grain bin entry is unrealistic, minimizing risk is crucial. Givler urged attendees to lead by example, as employees and family members often model their behavior on what they see.
Gina Martinez and Roger Furman from the Delaware Department of Labor’s Office of Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) introduced their SafeDE program, which helps farms maintain safety standards. Through SafeDE, small and medium-sized businesses in the General Industry, Construction, and Agricultural sectors can request a free on-site safety and health consultation. While no citations are issued during these visits, business owners must address any identified concerns within an agreed-upon timeframe.
Furman also demonstrated OSHA’s Safety Pays tool, which allows business owners to calculate the financial impact of workplace injuries and compare their costs to similarly sized employers. This tool is available at https://www.osha.gov/safetypays/tool.
Amanda Wilgus, an Outpatient Occupational Therapist, provided guidance on proper lifting techniques to reduce injury risks. She advised attendees to keep their arms close to the body, exhale while lifting, maintain good posture, and bend at the knees.
Steven Majchrzak of Sussex Irrigation discussed irrigation system safety, emphasizing proper manufacturing, installation, and maintenance. He reminded attendees to lock out and tag out equipment during maintenance, avoid parking in wheel tracks, and remain cautious of overhead power lines.
The conference concluded with a presentation from Kerry Richards of the UD Cooperative Extension. With 30 years of experience in pesticide safety education, Richards provided updates on proper pesticide handling practices. Attendees earned a pesticide credit for participating in her session.
The Delaware Farm Bureau’s Ag Safety Conference reinforced the importance of both mental and physical well-being in maintaining safe agricultural operations. Through expert presentations and practical advice, the event equipped attendees with valuable tools to enhance safety on their farms.
If you are interested in learning more about the Delaware Farm Bureau Promotion and Education, visit https://defb.org/promotion-and-education/.
