As the didactics music director at Farm Safety 4 Just Kids in Urbandale , Iowa , Shari Burgus lead the organization ’s feat to start , design , develop , and measure farm - safety and wellness educational resources and programs for children , young person and families .
She has taught in halfway and high-pitched shoal in both rural and urban configurations , and has bachelor ’s and victor ’s degree in Education from Iowa State University as well as a specialist point in Adult Education from Drake University .
Hobby Farms : What is Farm Safety 4 Just Kids ’ theatrical role in farm - safety training ?
Shari Burgus : Farm Safety 4 Just kid has a mission of further asafe farm environment for children and youthto keep health hazards , injuries and fatalities . The national power develop educational resources , manages programs and ply training opportunities for state- and community of interests - program leadership . The populace is also encouraged to use the cloth .
The charge per unit of childhood farm - related combat injury has go down by nearly 60 percent between 1998 and 2009 , according to The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health . This is an supporting sign that research and public knowingness efforts are making an wallop . After near 25 years of providing farm - accidental injury - prevention program at the community of interests level , Farm Safety 4 Just Kids has helped to reduce farm - injury pace among children and youth .
HF : How was FS4JK founded ?
SB : Farm Safety 4 Just Kids was initiated in 1987 , a yr after the death of an 11 - year - old Iowa farm boy helping with harvesting . Keith Algreen gag in a gravitational attraction - flow estate car , and his female parent Marilyn Adams begin a political campaign to promote farm - safety awareness . Soon after the governing body started , it became evident that programs at the residential district level were needed to reduce the phone number of farm - colligate injuries to child and youth take space each year . FS4JK now has 119 chapter in 26 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces . Nine outreach coordinators also conduct farm - safety and wellness syllabus within their respective states .
HF : On small - scale farm , such as hobby farm , what is the biggest safety consideration for parents to keep in intellect ?
SB : The farm can be a great place to raise child and is often the reason parents choose to stay in or move to a rural surround . But the farm is also an surroundings where living and study stage setting overlap , often put child within snug proximity to severe situations . Farm machinery , includingtractors , is the leading cause of fatalities to shaver on the farm . The tractors and machinery do n’t have to be expectant to be powerful and serious . The rawness of novice adult wheeler dealer and minor ’s oddity can be a deadly combination . Other prophylactic concerns on the farm , even the small hobby farm , let in the ever - increasing economic consumption ofATVs , the variety oflivestock , chemicals used in harvest product and landscape gardening , and rural - roadway issues .
Parents play a big office in ply a secure and healthy environment for their tyke to develop up in . provide a safe caper domain , setting safe boundaries , localise and apply strict rule , delegate age- and ability - appropriate project , supervising children and youth properly , and providing training about secure operation [ of equipment and tool ] will help children and juvenility stick safe within the rural environment .
HF : How can we balance fun with instruction and safety on the farm ?
SB : Education does n’t have to be boring or deflect . It can be fun and is crucial to a child ’s well - being . Farm Safety 4 Just Kids conceive that education and programs should be synergistic , where children and younker learn about the risks of being on the farm without being hurt . Demonstrations help them comprehend the risks and ways to prevent hurt .
Puzzles , activity and games are available through Farm Safety 4 Just Kids to serve program presenters boost safe and health messages , help students internalize the concepts , and ensure students take home the activities to other family members .
Parents have a big influence on their child ’s safety and wellness . Like it or not , small fry often imitate their parents . Parents can utilize this to their advantage and help prevent injury at the same time . Be witting of your own actions andcomplete land chore safely . Both adults and children will gain and be less potential to feel injury .
When training a child to fill out a task for the first prison term , keep the mood relaxed and encourage query . Do n’t expect fry to complete a new project perfectly the first time . Supervise intimately and give constructive criticism when require .
HF : A lot of our readers are fairly new to farming . What are good resources for beginner farmers to access information about farm safety ?
Bachelor of Science : Farm Safety 4 Just Kids has an all-inclusive listing of resource that can be used to lead syllabus about staying safe and healthy on the farm . Visitwww.fs4jk.orgfor free resources as well as educational material for leverage . Call 800 - 423 - 5437 to ask for technical assist in finding the right resourcefulness , identify data , transmit educational programs or ordering material .
Fact sheets and brochures are available for youth and program presenters . Educational packets help presenter deliver fun activities . presentment and plot ideas help make presentation interactive .
HF : Is there anything else you would likeHobby Farmsreaders to know about FS4JK ?
SB : The demographic of USDA are change . The two remainder of the spectrum , little - farm operation and the largest farm , are increase , while traditional farm of several 10 ago are decreasing in number . But one thing remains constant : The next generation of farmers is at peril . Many rural children and youthfulness are develop up on hobby farms . Farm Safety 4 Just Kids want to ensure that they have a positive and safe experience so they can keep agribusiness alert for their children and grandchildren .
