Because the work performed on farms is essential, and the experience of those doing it is critical to keeping people and operations safe, the University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension is developing the bilingual Forward Farm Safety Toolbox, a hands-on resource designed to support practical and effective safety training on farms of all sizes.
Farmers and agricultural professionals are invited to participate in an upcoming pilot workshop to test two of twelve proposed toolbox modules—Skidsteer Operation and Animal Handling—and provide valuable feedback. Participant insights will play a key role in ensuring the safety modules are practical, realistic, engaging for adult learners, and easy to implement in real farm environments.
The bilingual Forward Farm Safety Toolbox is grounded in research and designed to help agricultural operations build a strong culture of safety. This approach encourages long-lasting behavior changes and fosters ongoing leadership support for workplace safety. Explore the online toolbox at farms.extension.wisc.edu/forward-farm-safety-toolbox.
The toolbox includes resources for farm owners, managers, supervisors, and industry consultants, including:
- A comprehensive blueprint for building a farm safety culture
- Training modules with step-by-step guides
- Bilingual videos and fact sheets
The feedback gathered from participants at this pilot workshop will directly contribute to strengthening safety practices both on individual farms and across the broader agricultural community.
Workshop Details
Dates:
- Tuesday, April 14 — English Session
- Wednesday, April 15 — Spanish Session
Time: 9 a.m.–3 p.m. ( Lunch, snacks, and refreshments will be provided)
Location: Arlington Agricultural Research Station Public Events Facility
N633 Hopkins Rd, Arlington, WI, 53911
Note for participants: Participants attending the pilot workshop are encouraged to bring work coveralls for a hands-on cow handling practice session.
This is a unique opportunity to help shape a practical, bilingual safety resource that brings farm safety training and information together in one place, eliminating the need to search across multiple sources. Your experience and perspective are essential to creating a tool that supports safer, more efficient agricultural workplaces.
There is no cost to attend; registration is appreciated for lunch count. For more information or to participate, please contact Hernando Duarte, Extension Farm Labor Outreach Specialist, at hernando.duarte@wisc.edu or (608) 262-8348