September 2025
Volume 35. No 2.

This year, National Farm Safety and Health Week will be recognized from September 21 to 27, under the theme “Safety First, Avoid the Worst.” The theme’s message sounds simple, but it carries weight in an industry filled with long hours, hard work, powerful machinery, large animals, and unpredictable environments such as manure storage facilities and stored products like feed and grain.

Farm Safety Week has been officially recognized by U.S. Presidents dating back to 1944, when Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the first proclamation during World War II.

In Wisconsin, the need to recognize this critical time is personal. Our state continues to experience roughly 25 to 40 farm workplace fatalities every year. While it has been many years since we have had a study examining all the non-fatal farming injuries, earlier research suggests that roughly one in five Wisconsin farms experiences a serious injury annually. Around 80% of those cases require medical attention. And yet, nearly every one of these injuries and deaths is preventable.

Safety Isn’t Just a Slogan: It’s Action

A safety slogan doesn’t change much by itself. What matters is how safety shows up in the everyday choices we make on the farm. This includes actions that build safety into daily habits, decisions, and equipment choices. In the world of occupational safety, we often refer to the “safety hierarchy,” a framework that reminds us that posting a warning sign or delivering a quick verbal “make sure to be safe out there” messages is only a tiny part of the solution. Real safety means making physical, tangible changes that protect people at the source. So, in the spirit of this year’s theme, there are five key actions that go beyond slogans and can help make the farm a safer place this fall and beyond. Click the button below to view the full article with the five key actions.

Farm work often involves heavy lifting and repetitive tasks that can lead to injury. An automatic tractor hitch helps reduce those risks by allowing implements to be attached quickly and safely—without climbing down or manually aligning parts. It’s a simple upgrade that supports both efficiency and safety, especially for farmers with mobility challenges.

AgrAbility of Wisconsin invites you to connect with fellow farmers and community members at one of our upcoming Neighbor-to-Neighbor meetings. Whether you prefer to join us on the farm or from the comfort of your home, these events offer a chance to share experiences, explore assistive technology, and discover practical ways to make farming more accessible and sustainable.

Join AgrAbility of Wisconsin on October 28th from 9:30-11:30am at Larry Kuhl's farming operation at 575 100th Ave, Amery, WI 54001.   

During this event, you’ll have a brief tour of Larry’s farm, learn about assistive technology, and be able to network with your neighbors.  You’ll have a chance to discover ways to incorporate new equipment on your farm to ease the daily wear and tear on your body.  Coffee and donuts will be provided! 

The event is free, and a RSVP is appreciated, but not required.   RSVP online below or call 608-262-9336.  Bring a friend and we’ll see you on the farm! 

Looking for a chance to connect, share, and chat with others in your community? This isn’t your typical meeting, it’s a laid-back, welcoming space for conversation and connection. No formal presentations, just real talk with real neighbors. Grab your lunch or favorite drink, get comfy, and come be part of a friendly exchange of ideas and stories. We’d love to see you there!

Participants will be able to join the virtual meeting either via internet (using a computer or mobile device) or by dialing in by phone. To receive the connection details, including the meeting link and dial-in number, registration is required. Once registered, you will receive an email with all the necessary information to join the meeting. The registration is valid for all of the meeting dates, attend as many or as few as your schedule allows.

Do you have farm tools or equipment you no longer use? Consider donating them to the Agricultural Equipment Exchange through Easterseals Wisconsin. This program connects farmers with disabilities to the tools they need to keep working safely and independently. Right now, donated items are limited—your unused equipment could make a big difference in someone’s life. Help us grow the exchange and support Wisconsin agriculture!

Our mailing address has changed, but our programs and services remain the same. Please update your records and send future correspondence to our new location.

AgrAbility of Wisconsin
UW-Madison Division of Extension
Agriculture Institute
3500 University Ave.
Madison, WI 53705

AgrAbility of Wisconsin is heading back to the World Dairy Expo, and we’d love to see you there! We’ll be at our usual spot in the Exhibit Hall, booth 4522, during the tradeshow from September 30th to October 4th. We'll be ready to chat, share resources, and catch up with friends old and new. If you're attending, make sure to swing by our booth, we always enjoy connecting with folks from the ag community and talking about how we can help farmers of all abilities thrive.

Support our project with a gift to the UW-Madison Foundation's AgrAbility of Wisconsin Fund #112048316. Thank you for your support! 

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