Harvest is go-time across the High Plains—especially here in Baca County. It’s also the stretch of the year when small oversights can turn into life-changing injuries. That’s why National Farm Safety & Health Week (Sept. 21–27) exists, and why we’re inviting every farm family, custom crew, elevator hand, and rural driver to join in this year’s theme: “Safety First, Avoid the Worst.”

The week pairs local common sense with national expertise. The National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) is hosting free webinars every day, covering rural road moves, grain handling, health and resilience, youth safety, confined spaces, and ATV/UTV operation. Registration and resources live here: necasag.org/nationalfarmsafetyandhealthweek/

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Why this matters here

According to federal data, agriculture remains the most dangerous industry in the United States, with 417 fatalities recorded in 2022. On the High Plains, our risks are heightened by long distances for EMS response, dusk-to-dawn harvest schedules, and frequent equipment moves on narrow county roads. Add fatigue, weather swings, and youth help on the farm, and the best risk control is still the oldest one: slow down and plan the work.

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Local-time schedule (Mountain Time)

Kickoff – Friday, Sept. 19
Rural Road Ready (free webinar) — a timely refresher before combines, grain carts, and headers hit county roads.

Monday, Sept. 22 – Equipment & Rural Roadway Safety

• 10:00 AM MDT: Road Safety & Agriculture as We Age
• 12:00 PM MDT: Farm Equipment Hits the Highway: Growing Risks & Smarter Solutions

Tuesday, Sept. 23 – Health & Wellness

• 10:00 AM MDT: COMET Community Training (mental & emotional health)
• 12:00 PM MDT: Strong Roots: Keeping Farming in the Family Through Health & Resilience

Wednesday, Sept. 24 – Generations of Farming

• 10:00 AM MDT: Communication Coaching to Support Farm Harmony Across Generations
• 12:00 PM MDT: Too Young to Plow Alone: Keeping Youth Safe on the Farm

Thursday, Sept. 25 – Confined Spaces

• 10:00 AM MDT: Confined Spaces in Agriculture
• 12:00 PM MDT: AgriSafe Natural Disaster Recovery Response Think Tank

Friday, Sept. 26 – ATV/UTV

• 10:00 AM MDT: Safe Operation of ATVs and UTVs for Agriculture
• 12:00 PM MDT: Wheels of Misfortune: Off-Road Vehicles on Public Roadways

All sessions are free. Register and get reminders at necasag.org/nationalfarmsafetyandhealthweek/

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Baca County road-move checklist

Before you pull onto a county road with slow-moving equipment, give yourself three minutes for this:

• SMV emblem: Clean, centered, not faded.
• Lighting/flashers: Front and rear working; use beacons at dawn/dusk.
• Phones down: No screens while towing or escorting.

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Grain handling: the five-minute talk that saves lives

Grain entrapments happen fast and silently. NECAS and Nationwide have built short, clear videos on how entrapments occur, what prevention looks like, and why rescues belong to trained professionals. Share them with every seasonal hand:

• Why grain bin safety matters
• How entrapments occur
• How a grain bin rescue is performed (and how to assist professionals)
• Ways to prevent entrapments
• Precautions if entry is absolutely necessary

Find the full video set via necasag.org/nationalfarmsafetyandhealthweek/ (Additional Safety Videos).

Two non-negotiables on every Baca County yard:

1. Lockout/Tagout posted at each auger and implemented—no exceptions.
2. No solo bin entry. If entry is unavoidable, use a lifeline, a spotter, and follow your written procedure.

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Youth on the farm

This is a family place, and kids are part of the season. Give them age-appropriate jobs away from PTOs, moving trucks, and bin ladders. Set a “no riders” policy on tractors and UTVs unless there’s a factory-installed passenger seat and belts. The Wednesday youth-safety session offers practical ways to say “yes” to help while saying “no” to high-risk tasks.

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One easy win this week

Pick one webinar that fits your operation, put it on the shop TV or office computer, and schedule a 15-minute tailgate talk after. Walk the yard: check lights, SMV signs, first-aid kits, fire extinguishers, and lockout tags. Simple, visible actions change habits.

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Bring everybody home safe

National Farm Safety & Health Week is a national program, but its impact is local—on our roads, in our fields, and around our bins. Let’s make this harvest our safest yet.

Learn more and register (free):
necasag.org/nationalfarmsafetyandhealthweek/