General News
13 June, 2023
Students build awareness about farm hazards
TIMBOON P-12 School students are gearing up for a successful future in agriculture thanks to the support of their local Nutrien Ag Solutions branch.
TIMBOON P-12 School students are gearing up for a successful future in agriculture thanks to the support of their local Nutrien Ag Solutions branch.
The National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH) delivered a Gear Up for Ag Health and Safety program to Year 9/10 AgHort students at Timboon P-12 School earlier this year.
The session was designed to build awareness and understanding of farm hazards, and encourage important conversations about health and wellbeing in the agriculture industry – inside and beyond the classroom.
The program covered a range of topics from information about agricultural hazards such as noise exposure, working with machinery and livestock, and agrichemicals, to personal safety in high risk areas.
NCFH business development and industry engagement manager Cecilia Fitzgerald said the program includes fun and interactive activities and practical strategies which promote health, wellbeing and safety and minimise the risk of injury and illness on farm.
“Farm safety is an important issue that affects everyone in the agriculture industry – including our young people who often live on farms and frequently get involved in farm work at an early age,” she said.
“We are grateful for the support of Nutrien Ag Solutions in making this program possible at Timboon P-12 school and helping to ensure the future success of young farmers in the Ag industry.”
The Gear Up for Ag program has now been delivered by the National Centre for Farmer Health to more than 400 secondary school students.
Timboon P-12 AgHort teacher Michael Braham said as a teacher it was rewarding to see students engaging in hands-on learning.
“It is fantastic that we have the opportunity to bring programs like this into the school,” he said.
“Students were excited to receive free personal protective equipment to take home, and importantly, received proper instruction on how and when to use it.
“I have already seen the benefits of the program with students being far more responsible around the chemicals we are using on their gardens.”
For more information about the program visit www.farmerhealth.org.au.