Let’s keep farm safety top of mind this spring

By Paul Vickers, Director, OFA

The importance of farm safety cannot be overstated, especially during the busy planting and harvesting seasons. Across the agri-food industry, we’ve all been touched by on-farm accidents and injuries. While farmers across the province are working tirelessly to plan and prepare for the upcoming growing season, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) encourages everyone to make farm safety a priority. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has created unique challenges for communities across Ontario. As schools and childcare centres remain closed during the state of emergency, it means there will be an influx of children and youth around the farm as seed begins to go into the ground. When farm families are meeting to discuss daily or weekly farm plans, including a plan that identifies safe play areas and age appropriate chores can be a good way to keep kids safe.