Author: Roger "Darrell" Simpson
Planning Unit: Muhlenberg County CES
Major Program: Farm Management
Plan of Work: Planning for the Family and Farm
Outcome: Initial Outcome
The solar eclipse on August 21, 2017 had the potential to affect farmers living near its main line of impact negatively from a transportation standpoint and a worker standpoint. This agent worked with Todd County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources to provide information to all farmers but predominantly tobacco farmers about the timing of the eclipse. One of the major issues was the potential negative consequences of moving wagons on public roadways during the eclipse as well as after the eclipse. Both circumstances could have possibly led to highway accidents as most if not all wagons do not have adequate lighting and the limited speed of the farm vehicles causing more vehicle congestion due to the number of out of town people in our area. Information was provided to the farmers as to when the total eclipse would occur. This allowed farmers to plan their activity so that they or their workers would not be on the highway at that time. The second issue was eye protection for Spanish speaking migrant workers. Agent Judy was able to get NASA information regarding the eclipse and potential eye damage translated to a Spanish language fact sheet. This information along with NASA approved solar eclipse glasses were provided to 90 H2A migrant workers and seven English speaking workers in Muhlenberg County by this agent. Two tobacco producers utilized the information provided by this agent to purchase solar eclipse glasses for a combined 26 additional Spanish speaking workers. There were no reports of highway accidents nor eye damage from the solar eclipse in Muhlenberg County. Every tobacco farmer expressed their gratitude for the foresight of their University of Kentucky Extension Service and this agent to provide the information and solar glasses to help keep their workers safe during this historical event.
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