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, the winners are invited to the annual Midwest Rural Agricultural Safety and Health Conference to present their project. The 2019 Outstanding Youth Grant Award went to the Delaware County Fair Society. The local FFA Chapter and the Society hosted animal behavior expert Temple Grandin to speak to over 300 youth and other fairgoers.
Other past projects have included:
- Distributing ear plugs, sun screen, and healthy snacks to farmers at harvest time
- Building a farm safety hazard display
- Held a coloring, poster, or writing contest about tractor, ATV, livestock safety
- Developing livestock safety manuals and signs for county fair participants.
Applications will be reviewed by members of the I-CASH advisory board. Criteria for selection will be based on objectives and use of funds. One project will be selected for the Outstanding Youth Grant Award which will be presented at the 2021 MRASH conference in mid-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.
2021 Grant Application and Evaluation Form
Grant applications are due April 15, 2021! We know there are still uncertainties due to the pandemic. Please keep pandemic safety in mind as you prepare your project. Although we hope that 2021 will allow for more in-person gatherings, consider designing a project that will reduce risks associated with close, in-person interactions.
2005 – 2021 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.
- Farm Safety For Just Kids resources, now part of the Progressive Ag Safety Day organization. There are numerous lessons and ideas to help you effectively teach about farm safety.
- 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 Brandi Janssen at brandi-janssen@uiowa.edu or 319-335-4190.