PEOSTA, Iowa —The 2019 data for the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the agricultural sector is still the most dangerous in America with 573 fatalities, or an equivalent of 23.1 deaths per 100,000 workers. Fall harvest time can be one of the busiest and most dangerous seasons of the year for the agriculture industry.

For this reason, the third week of September has been recognized as National Farm Safety and Health Week. This annual promotion initiated by the National Safety Council has been proclaimed as such by each sitting U.S. President since Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944. National Farm Safety and Health Week is led by the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS), the agricultural partner of the National Safety Council.

The theme for National Farm Safety and Health Week 2021, Sept. 20-24, is “Farm Safety Yields Real Results." This theme is one that reminds us that it is in everyone’s best interest to invest in the health and safety of those who work so hard to provide our abundant supply of food, fiber and fuel.

Along with the theme for the week, the daily topics of focus are:

Monday - Tractor Safety & Rural Roadway Safety

Tuesday - Overall Farmer Health

Wednesday - Safety & Health for Youth in Agriculture

Thursday - Agricultural Fertilizer & Chemical Safety

Friday - Safety & Health for Women in Agriculture

Please visit www.necasag.org for this year’s logos, as well as for further information and resources related to this year’s campaign. There will be information forthcoming about webinars that will be offered throughout the week. Special thanks to the Illinois Farm Bureau for developing the logo again this year.

As we recognize National Farm Safety and Health Week this September, please join us in spreading awareness of the risks associated with working in agriculture and promoting safe and healthy practices through the harvest season and beyond. We welcome your collaboration and participation.

ABOUT NECAS: The National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) is dedicated to preventing illnesses, injuries, and deaths among farmers and ranchers, agricultural and horticultural workers, their families and their employees. NECAS offers safety and rescue training programs for a variety of topics and provideswebinarsto increase awareness for agricultural safety.The center’s trainingsandrescue programshave resulted in19lives saved nationwide. ‌ NECAS is also a partner with Northeast Iowa Community College Business and Community Solutions in providing safety trainings for business and industry, such as hazardous materials training, forklift operator, construction flagger and more. Information about NECAS is available at www.necasag.org.