Sustainability of family farms was identified as one of the top five priorities by Todd County residents, according to University of Kentucky Extension’s Community Needs Assessment results.  Sustainability covers many areas, but one that often gets overlooked is farmer safety and health.  

To remind farmers that their safety and health is vital to the farm, Todd County Extension partnered with Todd County FFA to secure a grant and sponsorships for a community safety & health expo.  Other partners included Raising Hope KY, Todd County 4-H, Kentucky Poultry Federation, Todd County Axis Program and local businesses who brought tractors for the event.  In addition to safety and health, the expo featured family-oriented activities, including a petting zoo, kids zone, healthy recipes, food samples, and omelet stations.

Ninety-eight people attended the expo, participating and learning from these safety stations:  Confined Space & Grain Bin Safety; First Aid; Tractor Rollover/ROPS; PTO Safety; and Spray Drone Safety.  Forty-eight completed at least four of the five safety station activities during the event.

Participants received mental health information, including signs of depression, the inhale/hold/exhale method, and 988 suicide & crisis hotline information.  Additionally, 17 people (average age – 54) received health screenings with the following findings:   2 people with elevated blood pressure; 1 person with stage 1 hypertension; 12 people with stage 2 hypertension; 9 people with borderline range for glucose levels.  All received information regarding blood pressure numbers and the effects of untreated hypertension as well as glucose levels.  

The safety theme will continue with a Grain Safety training planned for farmers and first responders in December 2025.