FARM CREDIT PROMOTES FARM SAFETY WITH ‘MEALS IN THE FIELDS’

More than one-hundred Illinois farm families will be treated to a free lunch – and most importantly a quick break from harvest work – during National Farm Safety & Health Week. Farm Credit Services of Illinois is sponsoring its annual “Meals In The Fields” program September 22-26 to help promote farm safety. Each of Farm Credit’s 21 branch offices will select a different farm family every day of the week to provide a lunch meal. The Farm Credit staff serves the lunch wherever the farmers happen to be working that day – whether that be in the fields, in the machine shed, or around the kitchen table.

Agriculture continues to rank as one the most dangerous occupations and industries in North America and across the globe. Last year, there were 715 deaths and 80,000 disabling injuries attributed to agriculture. Especially during the long harvest work days, farmers are reminded to take breaks and drink plenty of water to help them stay alert while operating machinery. This year’s National Farm Safety & Health week marks the 65^th consecutive signing of a farm safety proclamation by a U.S. President, beginning with FDR in 1944.

Farm Credit began the “Meals In the Fields” tradition during Farm Safety Week in 2001. Dave Owens, President and C.E.O. of Farm Credit Services of Illinois, says the program promotes farm safety while providing farmers with both a lunch break and a nutritious meal. “Our Farm Credit staff enjoys delivering meals to the producers that feed our country and our world. Sometimes it helps to give farmers a special reason to climb off the combine or out of their grain truck to take a quick but well-needed break for lunch during the harvest.”

All Illinois farmers that reside in the southern 60 counties are eligible for “Meals In The Fields” by registering with a Farm Credit Services of Illinois office or by emailing their name and contact information to info@fcsillinois.com. Registration may also be available at special events or through local media. Each Farm Credit branch office selects a different farming operation to serve a lunch from Monday – Friday of National Farm Safety & Health Week.

Farm Credit Services of Illinois is a farmer owned and directed agricultural lending cooperative. With $2.3 billion of assets and 170 employees in 21 branch offices, they provide competitive and flexible farm financing and crop insurance expertise to 8,000 farmers, agribusinesses, and rural landowners in the southern 60 counties of Illinois. As a part of the U.S. Farm Credit System, the Farm Credit Services of Illinois association’s mission is to provide financial capital and financial services to agriculture and Rural America.

Download PDF Version