Make a difference in your farm community!

Do your part to educate your community about farm safety and health. We’ll even give you the money to do it. Every year I-CASH has funds available for small grants to community youth groups for farm safety-related projects. In addition, I-CASH awards an Outstanding Youth Grant Award, and the winners are invited to the annual Midwest Rural Agricultural Safety and Health Conference to present their project.

The 2025 Outstanding Youth Grant Award went to Washington County 4-H for their “Stay Safe, Take a Break” project. Students prepped and delivered around 100 safety bags that included farmer-focused mental health resources, gratitude coloring pages from their younger 4-H and Clover Kid youth members, protein snacks to encourage proper nutrition during long harvest days, and essential safety items commonly needed while in the field. These items support both physical and mental health, helping farmers stay alert and safe while operating farm equipment and protecting themselves, their families, and the Washington County community.

The message of farm safety and health can be delivered in a variety of ways. We encourage creative projects!  Here are some examples you may consider:

• • Distributing ear plugs, sunscreen, and healthy snacks to farmers at harvest time
  • Distribute SMV (slow moving vehicle) signs at the local implement dealership, using the opportunity to talk with farmers about roadway safety
  • Make a poster about hearing protection for the county fair and hand out ear plugs and brochures
  • Speak with farmers while they wait in line to drop off grain at the local co-op – pass out a fact sheet about respiratory health and distribute N95 respirators.
  • Produce a YouTube video about safely sorting cattle, using the funds to purchase props for demonstrations, special makeup, or editing software
  • Hold a local essay or poster contest about ATV safety and give away ATV helmets to the winner.
  • Develop livestock safety manuals and signs for county fair participants.

Applications will be reviewed by members of the I-CASH staff and advisory board. Criteria for selection will be based on objectives and use of funds. Each year, one project is selected for the Outstanding Youth Grant Award and presented at the annual MRASH conference in November. Funding will be available for travel and expenses to attend the meeting. A cash award will also be given to the top project.

Grants are only available for youth groups/organizations in Iowa.

2025 Youth Grant Recipients

2005 – 2024 Grant Recipients

Best Practices for Farm Safety Days

Farm Safety days can be a great way to help young people understand hazards on farms.  For those grant recipients organizing safety days, we strongly recommend you consult the following resources to ensure that you use the best curricula available to share the farm safety message.

• The North American Guidelines for Children’s Agricultural Tasks. This is a critical resource to understand what kinds of farm activities are appropriate for youth of different ages.

For more information or assistance with this program, contact Kim McMichael at kimberlee-mcmichael@uiowa.edu or 319-467-4320.