Small Town News

Safety focus for Farm Credits Meals in the Field

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More than one-hundred Illinois farm families will be reminded to stay "Alert, Aware & Alive" as they enjoy a complimentary lunch meal delivered to where they are working during the September 20-26 National Farm Safety & Health Week.

Farm Credit Services of Illinois is sponsoring the annual "Meals in the Field" program to help promote farm safety. The theme of the 2009 National Farm Safety & Health Week is "Rural Roadway Safety: Alert, Aware, & Alive." From Monday through Friday, each of Farm Credit's 20 branch offices selects at least one farm family to provide a lunch meal. The Farm Credit staff serves the lunch wherever the farmers are working that day -whether that is in the field, in the machine shed, or around the kitchen table.

Agriculture continues to rank as one the most dangerous occupations and industries in North America and across the globe. Illinois farm-related deaths increased for the second consecutive year last year. Farm fatalities in the state numbered 33 from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009 - up from the 29 deaths in 2007-2008. Roadway collisions were the second leading cause of death; tractor rollover is number one. Especially during the long harvest work days, farmers are reminded to take breaks and drink plenty of water to help them stay alert while operating machinery - both in the field and on the public roads.

Dave Owens, President and C.E.O. of Farm Credit Services of Illinois, wants to promote farm safety while providing farm families with a lunch break and a nutritious meal. "Our Farm Credit staff enjoys delivering meals to the producers that feed our country and our world. Sometimes the meals give farmers a convincing reason to climb off the combine or out of their grain truck to take a quick and refreshing break during the harvest."

All Illinois farm families that reside in the southern 60 counties are eligible for "Meals in the Field" by registering with a Farm Credit Services of Illinois branch office or on-line at http:// fcsillinois.com/registration .html.

Farm Credit Services of Illinois is a farmer owned and directed agricultural lending cooperative that provides competitive farm financing and crop insurance expertise to 8,000 farm families, agribusinesses, and rural landowners.



Copyright 2009 Mt. Zion Region News, Mt. Zion, Illinois. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2009 Mt. Zion Region News Mt. Zion, Illinois. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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