Farming is known as one of the most dangerous occupations worldwide. In Boone County, this has also proved to be true. There have been multiple accidents to date in the county involving farm and garden related equipment, chainsaws, chemicals and livestock that have caused serious, and sometimes fatal, injuries as reported from community leaders. The majority of the agricultural community in Boone County are part-time farmers trying to do “full-time” farm work after working a full-time job off the farm. This leads to increased stress to complete tasks and rushing to get jobs done while the daylight allows. Studies at the University of Kentucky, College of Nursing have shown this situation is common across the commonwealth and is a catalyst for farm-related injuries. In response, the Boone County Extension Service collaborated with Dr. Deborah Reed, the “Ag Nurse”, and Dale Dobson, Kentucky Department of Agriculture Farm Safety Division, to host a Farm Dinner Theater with the community.

Extension agents and assistants divided into different work groups and prepared for the amateur production. The scripts were based on real-life farm accidents and provided a locally sourced meal for the 250 participants. Extension Agents, Michelle Simon and Paul Adkins, as well as Communications Coordinator, Danielle Ray, redeveloped existing scripts to fit county-specific incidents and worked with volunteer adult farmers, volunteers, and teen amateur actors to plan the set design, rehearse, and prepare for the show. The theater show was truly a team effort that included nearly all Boone County Extension agents, staff, other professionals, and several volunteers.

Not only was the Farm Dinner Theater focused on Agriculture—it provided participants with an exposure to performing arts, health, and lessons in prevention and safety. During the show, the scenes were followed up with discussion from Dr. Reed encouraging participants to take safety precautions like installing roll over protection devices on tractors and lawn mowers, checking cell phone service on farms, using hearing protection, sunscreen, and wearing wide brimmed hats and sunglasses.

There has been a resounding positive response from community for the Farm Dinner Theater and requests were made that evening to repeat the program as often as possible to prevent future farm related injuries. One participant had a roll over protection bar installed on his zero-turn lawn mower the next day after the program. All of the participants were given face covers and ear plugs to be worn during their daily tasks in addition to sunscreen. Based on evaluations sent three weeks after the dinner theater, 62% of participants reported they have an increased awareness of farm and home safety and potential injuries that can be prevented by strategies learned at the Boone County Farm Dinner Theater.