Winnipeg, November 26, 2014 – The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) in partnership with the Progressive Agriculture Foundation (PAF) is pleased to announce that over 100,000 participants have taken part in Progressive Agriculture Safety Days since the program began in 2002.
Progressive Agriculture Safety Days® are held across the United States and Canada every year in rural communities. In 2014, 78 safety days were held in Canada. Safety Day events are community-driven, hands-on events that teach rural children about safety. Topics include tractor and machinery safety, fire safety and disability awareness.
CASA and the Progressive Agriculture Foundation acknowledge the hard work and dedication of Canadian Safety Day Coordinators who work tirelessly to bring Safety Days to their communities. “Coordinating a Safety Day is a rewarding and satisfying experience. Our trained volunteer coordinators form a committee to plan and organize their Safety Day; find volunteer instructors and group leaders; and select the most important safety lessons for their community. ” says Susan Reynolds, Executive Director of the Progressive Agriculture Foundation.
The 100,000th participant milestone was passed last June in Burdett, Alberta. Chantel Timmons is the Safety Day Coordinator who organized the Burdett Safety Day. She says that Progressive Agriculture Safety Days showcase the volunteerism required for a successful event. “Safety Days showcase our small town at its best. We pay our volunteers with a lunch and nobody complains. I’m forever grateful this is where we live.” When asked why she volunteers year after year to coordinate safety days, Timmons explains: “My dad was actually killed in a farming accident and if we can prevent one incident, it’s totally worth it. It’s great to hear kids talk about the event days later.”
The involvement of supporting organizations is also a hallmark of a successful program. “Organizations that support Progressive Agriculture Safety Days with time and resources, both human and financial are integral to the success of these events,” says Marcel Hacault, CASA’s Executive Director. “CASA is incredibly pleased that so many organizations recognize and support safety education for Canada’s rural children.”
Saskatchewan Association of Agricultural Societies and Exhibitions, Alberta-based Ag for Life, Oxford Frozen Foods in the Maritimes, TransCanada Corporation and countless other organizations all have committed to promoting and supporting Progressive Agriculture Safety Days in Canada. Due to the commitment of organizations like these, Safety Day events continue to be successful year after year.
For more information about the Progressive Agriculture Safety Days and how to hold one in your community or how your organization can help, please visit casa-acsa.ca and click on Safety Days.
The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and safety of farmers, their families and agricultural workers. CASA is funded in part by Growing Forward 2, a federal, provincial and territorial initiative and receives additional support from the agricultural and corporate sectors including: Farm Credit Canada, the Progressive Agriculture Foundation, CHS and TransCanada Corporation. For more information, visit www.casa-acsa.ca, find us on Facebook or LinkedIn or follow us on Twitter @planfarmsafety.
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For more information, please contact:
Robin Anderson
Communications Officer
204-275-8870
