Safety Practices Among Limited Resource Farmers in North Carolina

SUMMARY The purpose of our NC Farm Safety Project is to reduce the incidence of farm injuries and illnesses among limited resource farmers in North Carolina by implementing an intervention program that stresses educational strategies. Limited resource farmers in the state are identified as farm families, who have a combined gross income of less-than $50,000 per year. A pilot-test was conducted to determine the educational safety programs needed by limited resource farmers in North Carolina. The target population in the pilot survey consisted of 2656 limited resource farmers representing 26 counties. Of this population, 335 were selected to participate in a farm injuries and illness telephone survey. Some conclusions drawn are: (1) only a fourth of the farmers had medical insurance and they were mostly part-time farmers, (2) most of the farmers indicated that they were interested in participating in a farm machinery safety workshop, and (3) only a third of the farmers had first aid kits.