Progressive Agriculture Safety Days®: Keeping Children Safe Through Hands-On Learning

Submitted by Susan Reynolds Porter, Progressive Agriculture Foundation

Ag Day wouldn’t be complete without recognizing the next generation and the important role young people play in the landscape of agriculture today and in the future. And keeping young people safe is what the Progressive Agriculture Safety Day® program is all about. 

“At the heart of the Safety Day program is training and providing resources so local communities can conduct one-day, age-appropriate, hands-on, fun and safe learning programs,” said Susan Reynolds Porter, Executive Director – Programs. “Since 1995, nearly 5,000 Progressive Agriculture Safety Days have reached more than 1.1 million children and adults.”

Reynolds explained that the Progressive Agriculture Foundation (PAF) offers training modules for more than 28 safety and health related topics, but the most popular covered at a Safety Day have been ATV, fire, first aid, electricity, farm equipment, tractor and chemical.

“We’re constantly expanding our curriculum to provide relevant training for children in rural communities. Thanks to our generous sponsors, we are able to grow this effort as new topics surface,” said Reynolds.

Most rewarding are the comments from participants and their parents:

“One of my favorite classes was the farm equipment station. I learned that if you wear "baggy" clothes, you can get caught in equipment and it can pull you in and kill you. I look forward to Safety Day every year. “ – NC participant

“My husband farms, and for his birthday our children gave him goggles, dust masks and chemical-resistant gloves. [These were] all the things they learned about at the Safety Day, and they also explained to him why he needed to use them.” – Texas parent

“A 15-year-old credits what he learned at a Safety Day with saving his life. He was operating a tractor with a four-row ridger in a cornfield near his home when the ridger struck a power pole, causing power lines to fall on the tractor. This young man did what he learned at Safety Day – he called for help on his cell phone and stayed inside the tractor cab until the power company arrived and turned off the power to the lines.” – Nebraska volunteer

To find a Safety Day in your area or to get involved as a volunteer, go to progressiveag.org.

Who Photoshopped the Corn Harvest?

Submitted by Dan Gogerty, CAST

I drove back to the old home farm a couple of times during the past few weeks, and as the brown corn stalks disappeared and the combine dust settled, I watched a changing portrait of the traditional Midwest harvest unfold. It’s like modern photography. You click a quick pic of the grandkids and look down at your tiny digital camera or smartphone and wonder—when did this happen? Where did the film, viewfinder, and manual focus go? You drive the Midwest country roads at harvest time and think—where are the people, the smoke billowing tractors, the livestock in the fields?

 This is not a lament, just an observation. Tech and economics have Photoshopped the traditional Grant Wood farm scenes, and as Cronkite said, “That’s the way it is.”

Photo courtesy of gwendolynday.blogspot.com.

As you cruise the gravel roads, the first thing you notice is the lack of farms.  A country section that included three or four traditional farms—two-story house, barn, hog house, shed—now has one or two at most. Fewer farm kids wave as they carry feed buckets to the chicken coop; a family milk cow rarely stands near the barn chewing its cud; and those skinny dogs that used to shoot out of the lanes to chase your car as you drove by are now sitting passively in suburban yards contained by "invisible fences."

Fields have an altered tinge to them too. Combines look like Star Wars military equipment, and grain is augured into huge semi trailer trucks. You don’t see folks out in the elements so often. Not many farmers with padded coveralls and ear-flap hats sit on cabless tractors as they lean into a November wind and try to stay warm from the heat radiating out of the canvas heat-houser. With companies developing robotic machines, you might eventually need to go to a farmer’s computer control room in his office to see a human.

Animals also make fewer outdoor appearances. Some cattle still forage in the harvested fields for dropped ears of corn, but even in Iowa, the hog capital of the world, a resident can drive the roads for months without seeing a Wilbur, Babe, or Porky. Pigs used to root in the fields until the snows came, but most have moved into confinement motels—bit crowded, but the room service is attractive, and even hogs appreciate central heating. No comments from them about the indoor toilets.

It might even be tough to find a pitchfork on a Photoshopped farm. Watered-down manure gets hauled to those freshly harvested fields in gigantic honey wagons, and the “fecal gold” gets injected into the ground. I remember pulling conventional manure spreaders that flung the solids, and early liquid tanks that sprayed the contents. With an ill-advised turn and a sudden wind gust, the tractor driver could be fertilized as well.

Corn cribs like this one used to dry and store corn.
Photo courtesy of mikehedge.blogspot.com.

The piece most obviously airbrushed from the harvest portrait is the farm corn crib. These slatted buildings would store and dry the ear corn until months later when a “sheller man” brought his machine. We’d rake and shovel ears of corn into the huge contraption, and it would fling cobs into a pile and kernels of corn into wagons. When we were kids, the hard work of moving corn was sometimes interrupted by a mad scramble to take care of the rodents that had taken up residence in the corn crib. The mouse that scurried up the inside of my coverall pant leg made it to just above the knee before I could grab him and “persuade him” to go no further. After a hard day, the sheller man towed his machine back to town, Dad drove the last load of corn to the elevator, and we’d play king of the hill on a cob pile.

When the autumn sun sets over barren corn stubble and a harvest moon reflects light off metal grain bins, today's farmers take pride in completing a harvest on some of the most bountiful land in the world. The modern portrait of their labors includes hard work aided by technological advances and improved production techniques. But most don’t get the pleasure of walking cornfields to pick up the many ears of corn a rusty four-row picker left. Few get to haul bales of hay to cattle in the pasture or break the thin ice that coats their water tanks. And modern farmers miss out on the stimulation you get when you peel your frozen hands from the steering wheel of a John Deere 4020 after driving it from the field in below-freezing temperatures.

I get nostalgic for those harvest days, but I’m starting to think it would have been nice to “Photoshop” some of those images way back then. Maybe if I could have airbrushed out my static-filled transistor radio and digitally added a heated cab and sound system to my tractor, I might have been more in tune as I hauled corn and hummed along with the Stones singing, “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction."

The Evolution of the Custom Harvest Industry

Submitted by Tracy Zeorian, U.S. Custom Harvesters, Inc.

The custom harvesting industry dates back to the 1920’s.

During WWII:

• Steel was rationed.
• There were limits on the number of machines manufacturers could produce.
• Gasoline for farmers was rationed.
• Farm workers were drafted or finding defense industry jobs, so there was a severe manpower shortage.
• Yet, the world needed American farmers to produce much more wheat and other food products.

Let’s back up a little. Prior to the war, Massey-Harris, an agricultural equipment company, was testing a new machine—a self-propelled machine that would cut the wheat and separate it from the chaff. The first of its kind! Prior to this machine, combines were pulled behind a tractor or a team of horses.

Joe Tucker, sales manager for Massey-Harris, saw an opportunity that would promote the new machine while getting the nation’s wheat crop cut in a more efficient and fuel-saving manner. He approached the War Production Board with his idea … if they would allow Massey-Harris the necessary steel to produce 500 of the Model #21 combines (more than their normal quota) the company would sell them exclusively to farmers who would agree to harvest 2,000 acres with the machine.

The War Board bought the idea, the machines were made, and in 1944, 500 farmers were chosen to purchase the machines (for around $2,500). The combines were loaded on the back of trucks and headed for Texas. These 500 machines were part of the very first “Harvest Brigade,” and would chase the ripening wheat to the Canadian border. The Brigade was a huge success, with each combine cutting an average of 2,038 acres.

In 1945, Massey-Harris expanded the program to 750 brand-new machines. Thus began the lifestyle that so many of us continue to lead year after year.

The reputation of the custom harvest businesses has changed since the early days. When the industry was in its early years, crews were made up of only men. There were no trailer houses. The custom harvester camps had none of the luxuries of today. Men would sleep in partially filled grain trucks or under grain trucks, tents or barns. The men relied on farmers’ wives for food and often bathed in rivers and lakes.

Custom harvest businesses have evolved in the past 69 years. Combines are larger and headers are longer. The modern-day custom harvest crew is more than likely a family-owned business. They have modern RV’s with all the luxuries of home, including a shower AND washer/dryer. Some crews opt to stay in motels while on the road and eat in restaurants. Children have grown up helping, either at the trailer house or in the field. If they’re really lucky, they’ve experienced both. We still chase that ripening wheat from Texas to the Canadian border! Fall crops, such as corn, soybeans and sunflowers, keep some of these crews on the road for up to six months.

U.S. Custom Harvesters, Inc. (USCHI) was founded in April 1983 out of frustration due to rules and regulations that were affecting the industry. A group of harvesters set a meeting to discuss their shared mission—to have one voice. Today, USCHI has more than 500 members—professional custom harvesters and businesses that support the industry at home and on the road.

The organization is a vital link between the harvester and State and Federal governments. Representatives of USCHI have been making trips to Washington, D.C., to build relationships with our policymakers and other pertinent agricultural organizations.

Safety is of utmost concern while in the fields or on the road. Recently, USCHI had a four-part DVD series professionally produced and distributed free of charge to each member. The video was created with the hope that custom harvester owners would use and share the information with their employees before the wheat ripens and it’s time to hit the road. The series covers combine and forage harvester safety, truck safety, grain auger safety and general first aid. Videos are also available to the general public for $25.

My favorite benefit of U.S. Custom Harvesters, Inc., is networking with other custom harvesters. We have an annual convention, which is usually held the first weekend in March. This is the time we can come together in a non-working atmosphere to learn about changes in the industry, see new equipment, and become educated on new rules and regulations. Most of all, we come together as a “family” and enjoy each other’s company … it’s like a family reunion!

In 2013, U.S. Custom Harvesters, Inc., is celebrating 30 years. We have come a long way since that first meeting. I expect 2013 will be one of our best! We look forward to being a part of Ag Day and sponsoring events that will help people understand where their food comes from. To find out more about USCHI or becoming a member, visit www.uschi.com.

WE HARVEST THE CROPS THAT FEED THE WORLD!

5 Ways to Prepare for a Career in Ag

Submitted by Lacey Hargrave, BCS Communications

Follow these steps to set yourself apart and stand out as a job candidate in the field of agriculture!

1. 
Research—Become familiar with, and stay up-to-date on, industry trends, current events and new information in the ag community. Subscribing to weekly newsletters and blogs from relevant publications, such as Agriculture.com, FarmProgress.com and dtnProgressiveFarmer.com, will keep you current and give you a leg up.
   

2. Experience—Getting hands-on experience through internships and job shadowing is invaluable. Real world experience will show your eagerness to learn and make you a desirable candidate. It will also give you a chance to learn what it’s like in the field and what specific areas you are interested in. Search websites like InternMatch for opportunities near you.
   

3. Get Involved—Attend industry events such as Ag Day 2013! Get involved with your local NAMA chapter, FFA, 4-H, agriculture clubs at your college or university, and local professional ag organizations in your area. These are great résumé builders, too!

   

4. Network—Form relationships with industry professionals and others with similar career interests. When you attend an industry event, make it worth your while. Gather business cards, handout your résumé and follow up with new contacts after the event. Then when you begin the job search, you’ll have individuals to help distribute your résumé and get your foot in the door.
   

5. References—Develop a good list of professional references. References can be past professors, employers, internship co-workers, etc. These are people who know you well and will shed a positive light when prospective employers call on them for a reference. Also, make sure to keep your LinkedIn profile updated, as this is where professionals will go to learn more about you.

A Passion for Cattle

Submitted by Mark Perrin, McCormick Company

As a full-time agri-marketer and part-time cattle rancher, I have faced many challenges. Inevitably, when you’re gone or running short on time, stuff happens. 

For example, there was one really tough morning last winter in Kansas City—cold, snowing hard, very windy. That same morning, three of my cows decided to give birth. I thought, why today and not yesterday?  

Upon inspection, I found one calf on the wrong side of the fence from its mother. As I looked through the pickup window, movement down the fence line caught my eye … three coyotes headed directly towards the stranded calf.

Trying to think fast, I hopped out of the pickup, tromped through the snow, climbed the fence, scared the coyotes off and carried the calf back to its mother. I thought: wow, a newborn calf is really heavy, my feet are really cold, I’m running late and why did I decide to raise cattle in the first place?  

Well, the cattle business gets in your blood. Maybe you’re born with it or maybe it just comes over you at some point in life. It’s really hard to make money, unless you conveniently forget to include land costs, taxes, vet bills, etc. Like me, many people with a passion for cattle choose a career that allows them to work in some aspect of the livestock business, even though it’s likely not on the production side.

Unfortunately, over the years there’s been a noticeable decline in the number of people with a cattle background who join the agri-marketing field. One of our toughest assignments at McCormick Company is finding marketing communications people with beef cattle expertise …

There are many opportunities for young agri-marketers in the beef communications field, and a combination Animal Science and Journalism or Public Relations degree could be a hot ticket. At least I think so.

Wonderful Times in Agriculture

Submitted by Barry Nelson, John Deere

We are experiencing wonderful times in agriculture. Net farm income is at record highs, farm equity is strong, and farm debt is the lowest in recent history. Even with a record drought this past summer and the variability in some commodity prices, the ag economy has been a true American success story and a solid base for the rest of the economy, which is still barely tripping along.

Yet, we still have some significant challenges ahead. As the population continues to grow from 7 billion to 9 billion by the year 2045, farmers and ranchers are challenged with producing more food, feed, fiber, and fuel for this growing population. Also, there is a growing middle class around the world, particularly in India, China, and eastern Asia, that is demanding higher quality goods—particularly animal protein.

The U.S. producer must meet these challenges with about the same amount of land, the same or less water resources, and increased regulations from governments around the world that impede trade and efficient agricultural production methods.

Are U.S. producers up to the challenge? Let’s take a look at the past 30 years. According to the Field to Market Keystone Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture, many commodity crops are being grown more sustainably than 30 years ago. Here are some broad examples for corn, wheat, soybeans, cotton, rice, and potatoes from their study:

• Soil erosion per unit of production has decreased anywhere from 47% to 67%.
• Energy use and greenhouse gas emissions per unit of production have decreased between 15% and more than 42% for all crops.
• Improvements in efficiency were driven, at least in part, by improvements in yield for all crops, ranging from 25% to 64%.

This comprehensive study looks at each crop specifically, and there have been tremendous gains with innovative farming techniques to bring increased sustainability to U.S. agriculture. Farmers have always been great stewards of their land, and nearly 95% of all farms are family-owned. There is tremendous pride in how the U.S. producer manages his or her farm, and, with new precision technology, sustainability will improve even further.

I've been with John Deere for 33 years, and I’ve seen all the changes in agriculture, particularly on the equipment side of the business. But new precision farming technology is revolutionizing the overall productivity of most farm operations.

Satellite technology allows equipment to steer itself … to be more accurate with every pass in the field … to be more comfortable to operate … and to allow more precise placement of inputs. Tractors, sprayers, combines, and other self-propelled machines are wired with more computers and sensors than a space shuttle! Farmers are managing and using both machinery data and agronomic data to bring even more efficiency for every acre farmed in the U.S.

These are exciting times, and yet, production agriculture is under attack. Some environmentalists, animal rights activists, food critics, and others are attempting to sway an uninformed urban public into believing the current food production methods are unsafe and produce unhealthy food. They are trying to increase regulations to impede farmers and, in some cases, actually control what people can and cannot eat. 

It’s important that all of us in agriculture come together with a unified voice. We must articulate the importance of our modern farming practices and educate the public on how new technology has allowed for more sustainable operations. These efficient producers are using precision farming technology to reduce inputs, increase yields and meat production, and provide the necessary food, feed, fiber, and fuel for the growing world population. 

This is what Ag Day is all about! On March 18-19, we invite everyone to Washington, D.C., to help celebrate agriculture and to recognize the great work done by U.S. producers who feed the world. 

We have scheduled the most comprehensive program in our history. It will feature leading ag economists, the Smithsonian Institute and their American Enterprise exhibition spotlighting agriculture, special receptions and dinners with ag leaders and governmental officials, and Hill visits with FFA, NAMA, 4-H, and AFA students. 

This will be our opportunity to put a spotlight on the agricultural challenges facing U.S. producers and the importance of gaining even more support from Washington policy leaders. 

Even more importantly, there are 925 million hungry people throughout the world. More than 16,000 children die each day from hunger-related conditions. In 2008, nearly 9 million children died before their 5th birthday. One-third of these deaths were related to hunger and malnutrition.

Sadly, we are producing enough food to feed these children, but there are other issues to deal with, including poor food distribution systems, inept governments, food waste, and infrastructure in some areas that inhibit modern farming practices. This is our true challenge in the U.S., and production agriculture can be an influential partner in helping to provide practical solutions for feeding a hungry world in the future.

Signs of Spring: Ag Optimism

Submitted by Carl Casale, CHS Inc.

Spring, and with it Ag Day, naturally lends itself to looking ahead—to new crops and new opportunities for U.S. agriculture.

In 2012, the severe drought across much of the U.S. challenged farmers and those of us who serve them. None of us can predict the impact of inevitable challenges like weather, political decisions, global unrest, or other factors as 2013 unfolds. But whatever transpires, I’m convinced there are five good reasons to forecast bright long-term prospects for U.S. agriculture:

1. Global population growth, particularly among the Chinese middle class, will continue to drive food demand, especially for meat-based protein.
2.  Energy production, essential to raising crops and moving them to market, has returned home as new technologies unlock access to crude oil and natural gas supplies in North Dakota’s Bakken and other regions.
3. Fertilizer production is heading home, too, thanks to abundant, affordable natural gas. Plans are in the works for the first nitrogen fertilizer plants to be built in the U.S., including one under consideration by CHS at Spiritwood, N.D., to provide U.S. farmers with increased dependable supply.
4. The majority of U.S. producers and agricultural companies are economically strong and agronomic/seed advances helped many producers harvest a 2012 crop in dry conditions.
5. New, well-educated generations are returning to the farm, armed with technical know-how and enthusiasm for the future.

New growth is clearly in the forecast, no matter what short-term challenges we face. At CHS, we look forward to helping our producer and cooperative owners—and all of agriculture—make the most of the opportunities ahead.