Progressive Agriculture Safety Days Outpaces Funding by 25 Percent

Due to the tremendous growth in demand for Progressive Agriculture Safety Days, the program has once again exceeded the available funding to fulfill event requests for 2011. Without additional support, more than 30,000 children and volunteers may not be able to participate in Safety Day programs next year.

The popularity of Progressive Agriculture Safety Days, the largest rural safety and health educational program in North America, has grown steadily since its 1995 launch. In 2009, more than 90,000 rural youth and adults participated in Safety Day events. For 2011, Progressive Agriculture Foundation received requests for nearly 490 Safety Days reaching 138,850 children. This growth means demand for the program is outpacing available funding by 25 percent.

“Children encounter dangerous situations on the farm and at home on a daily basis,” explains Maranda Bowles, Bunge North America and Safety Day coordinator in Morristown, Ind. “Community programs like the Progressive Agriculture Safety Day provide a valuable outlet for people like myself to get involved. The material the program offers allows us to educate children in fun and engaging ways about harmful situations they could face, and what they can do to prevent them. If we can save even one life, it’s more than worth it.”

Safety Days are designed to be fun and educational. These one-day events teach children safety and health lessons that can keep them and those around them safer and healthier at home, or on a farm or ranch. While the basic program reaches children ages 8 to 13, Safety Days also can be tailored for 4- to 7-year-olds or even entire families. Bicycle, farm equipment, food and weather safety are just a few of the topics covered, among countless others.

Despite increased contributions by both new and long-standing supporters, more than $400,000 in additional contributions is needed to fulfill 2011 requests; the cost of a child attending a Safety Day is $13. Anyone can become a supporter of the Foundation, and donations are fully tax deductible. Individuals and organizations interested in supporting this worthwhile effort are encouraged to visit www.progressiveag.org for more information or to make an online contribution, or to call 888-257-3529.