Farm Credit Offers $10,000 to Support Farm Safety

Donation Helps Safety-Awareness Program Increase Its Outreach

LOUISVILLE, KY (September 2, 2008) – In recognition of September as Farm Safety Month, Farm Credit Services of Mid-America (FCS) recently donated $10,000 in support of Ohio’s Stone Creek chapter of Farm Safety Just 4 Kids. The donation will help the safety-awareness program increase its outreach and impact as it brings hands-on safety training to children and adults in communities throughout Ohio.

Farm Safety Just 4 Kids is a free program dedicated to making the farm a safer, healthier place by teaching children about outdoor safety in fun and engaging ways. The program offers the Tractor Pull, for example, a chance for children to drive miniature tractors that are equipped with operating and safety features identical to real machinery. This gives them a memorable experience and allows families and educators a chance to explain safety features in a hands-on setting. The program has been a great success, but until recently Just 4 Kids lacked the equipment necessary to haul the miniature machinery to surrounding areas and expand its educational outreach. That was when Farm Credit stepped in to help.

“Farm Safety is very important to the employees at Farm Credit,” said FCS representative Marci Gragg. “We all know someone who has been injured in a farm accident—the realities of farm safety are very close to home. We’ve all been touched by it.

“That’s why the Ohio division of Farm Credit understands how important it is to support Farm Safety Just 4 Kids. The Tractor Pull is one of Just 4 Kids’ primary educational programs, but the mini tractors are not easy to transport. The Stone Creek chapter greatly needed something to transport all their materials, and our $10,000 donation has allowed them to acquire a trailer. Now the program is able to travel to other communities and spread their message to a larger audience.”

The donation comes at a good time. Harvest season is approaching, a time when farm accidents are traditionally on the rise. And with September nationally recognized as Farm Safety Month, the Just 4 Kids message is very top-of-mind with farming families.

“We want all of our member families to be safe and successful throughout the year, but especially during planting and harvest time,” notes Dick Poe, senior vice president - credit for Ohio. “That’s why Farm Credit’s Stewardship Program funds important initiatives like Just 4 Kids. We’re committed to making life better in our local communities, and so are they. We’re glad to help them make a difference.”

About Farm Credit Services

Farm Credit Services of Mid-America is a $13 billion financial services cooperative serving over 84,000 farmers, agribusinesses and rural residents in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee. The association provides loans for all farm and rural living purposes including real estate, operating equipment and housing and related services such as crop and life insurance, and vehicle, equipment and building leases. For more information about Farm Credit, call 1-800-444-FARM or visit them on the web at www.e-farmcredit.com.