Farmers need extra protection

As Americans celebrate National Ag Day on March 15, there is a movement going on in Minnesota to improve farm safety, especially when it comes to tractors.
While agriculture is important to our very existence in many ways, those who are committed to working the land are often in danger. Farming is one of the deadliest workplaces. 
Between 2003 and 2013, 210 Minnesotans died in farm accidents, which now account for one-quarter of all workplace deaths in Minnesota. Tractors were involved in a third of those fatal accidents.
There are many older tractors operating the farm fields of our great land. Something needs to be done to tackle the dangers posed by old and unstable farm tractors. 
Minnesota lawmakers are scrambling to make farming a safer occupation. They are considering a couple bills that would allow the state to create a rebate program similar to a successful campaign in New York, where more than 1,400 tractors have been equipped with roll bars aimed at helping farmers survive an accident.
Rep. Paul Anderson, R-Starbuck, is seeking $250,000 in state funds for the tractor program. The proposal has already drawn the support of a couple key members of the governor’s staff, including Dave Frederickson, commissioner of the state Agriculture Department.
In the grand scheme of state government, the funding for this bill shouldn’t be a big deal. But we hope legislators understand how important this initiative is so we don’t continue losing farmers. 
In addition to state funding, lawmakers are also hoping to raise about $50,000 in private sector funds for the program. CHS, the nation’s largest farmer-owned cooperative, is closely monitoring the safety bill as it generally jumps on-board with funding for agriculture safety.
Under Anderson’s idea, farmers who retrofit eligible tractors with rollover protective devices could receive grants covering 70 percent of the costs. Out-of-pocket expense for farmers would be capped at $500.
New York started a rebate program in 2006 and now receives $250,000 in public funding. If Minnesota jumps on the bandwagon, it would have one of the largest tractor rebate programs in the country.
Federal records show that 40 percent of tractors in use on American farms lack rollover protection. In Minnesota, there are about 87,000 older tractors failing to be outfitted with the devices. 
Experts say when used with a seat belt, roll bars are 99 percent effective in preventing death or serious injury in a tractor overturn.
In New York, for example, at least 14 farmers who upgraded their tractors with state money reported surviving a rollover or other life-threatening incident on their modified tractors. Many others reported close calls.  
Farmers are the stewards of a healthy planet. Agriculture provides almost everything we eat, use and wear on a daily basis. It is also increasingly contributing to fuel and other bio-products. And we need to do everything possible to keep farmers safe.
I hope state lawmakers will do what’s right for our farm friends by going in hot pursuit of protecting them as they operate dangerous equipment.