Tragedy struck a farm family in Mercer County when three brothers were killed after entering the manure storage on their dairy farm. This is an unimaginable loss and one that occurs way too often. It is hard to stand by and wait for help when a loved one is unconscious in a dangerous situation but we see time and again how entering to save them often leads to the death of another family member. Please be aware of all the dangers on your farm and inform your family and employees as well. To learn more about manure gasses, read this fact sheet.
Managing Farm Employees
Navigating COVID-19 on the Farm – Best practices for Daily Management of Sanitation, Deliveries, Equipment Repairs, and People
by: Lisa Pfeifer, Educational Program Manager, Agricultural Safety & Health & Dee Jepsen, Ph.D., Associate Professor and State Safety Program Leader, Agricultural Safety & Health
Click here for a PDF version of this article
Practices for limiting exposure and risks related to coronavirus.
While agriculture has been a part of the essential work that continues to hum with a focus on keeping our food supply chains open amid stay at home orders, it is important not to lose sight of the fact business, as usual, will demand course correction and new plans to keep family and employees safe, and farms operable and secure. Information changes quickly in the face of the unknowns of this pandemic, but one prediction that has remained stable is the timeline for a vaccine. It will be 12 to 18 months before a vaccine is available, necessitating plans to see farms through spring planting, summer, harvest, winter, and spring a second time. To delve into some ideas on how to navigate a normal workday on the farm in the face of a public health emergency and an economic crisis it will take thinking outside of the box and a commitment to change some rote behavior and practice. Continue reading
The Farm Office is open
The Ohio State University Extension Farm Office team is ready to answer your questions. Find information on Agriculture Law from Peggy Hall, ask questions about Grain Markets with Ben Brown, talk taxes with Barry Ward, look at your farm’s bottom line with Dianne Shoemaker, talk farm management and succession planning with David Marrison. This team of specialists is ready to serve you.
Each week, the Farm Office Team offers live office hours to update you on current issues affecting the farm economy. Join our experts for quick presentations and Q & A. Go here to register at no cost. Go to this page to view past webinars and PowerPoint slides.
New Podcast Series – Legal Resilience on the Farm through COVID-19
From Eva Moss, Farm Commons
Our work at Farm Commons is all about supporting farmers in cultivating legal resilience for the farm business. With the devastating spread of COVID-19, the nature of farm business has been turned on its head. We know all you farmers are making quick and significant changes to your marketing channels, staff, food safety protocols, and more to stay afloat through this crisis. Continue reading
Questions Regarding the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Farms with Employees
Click on the links below to view the Spanish and English versions of “Questions Regarding the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Farms with Employees” developed by Gustavo M. Schuenemann, DVM, MS, Ph.D., Professor & Extension Veterinarian, and Jeffrey D. Workman, Ph.D., Extension Program Coordinator.