VDACS highlights farm safety and wellness resources during national observance

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is encouraging agricultural producers and the public to focus on farm safety and farmer wellness during National Farm Safety and Health Week, Sept. 21-25.

The observance comes during fall harvest, one of the agricultural industry’s busiest and most dangerous periods. VDACS Commissioner Charles Green urged motorists who encounter large farm machinery on rural roads to slow down and remain patient.

Federal data cited by the department show that the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting sector recorded 475 fatal work injuries nationwide in 2024, including 233 deaths in transportation incidents. The sector’s fatal injury rate was 20.9 deaths per 100,000 full-time-equivalent workers, the highest among major industries.

VDACS also highlighted the mental health pressures farmers and their families may face from severe weather, market volatility and other factors beyond their control. AgriSafe is offering free webinars during the week on road safety, mental health and suicide prevention, noise exposure, confined spaces, disaster preparedness, cancer risk, fatigue and other occupational hazards.

Details and registration are available through AgriSafe’s learning opportunities page.