Safety Watch is a monthly column published by Iowa Farmer Today which features agricultural safety and health prevention information, success stories, and producer profiles. A partnership between the Great Plains Center and I-CASH, the monthly column is distributed through all Lee Agri-media channels, including Iowa Farmer Today, Illinois Farmer Today, Missouri Farmer Today, and AgUpdate.
The articles below can be reprinted with appropriate credit to Iowa Farmer Today and the author and distributed for educational use as part of agricultural safety and health curricula.
Keep your body feeling good to farm at your best, Tabitha Kuehn, April 2025
Wear the right respirator, the right way, Mandy Archer, March 2025
Plan ahead to reduce succession stress, Tabitha Kuehn, February 2025
Winter brings compounding fall risks, Mandy Archer, January 2025
‘Silent Killer’ poses risks on the farm, Tabitha Kuehn, December 2024
Discuss ATV safety with kids early and often, Mandy Archer, November 2024
Planning ahead key to safe digging projects, Tabitha Kuehn, October 2024
Biosecurity a top safety concern for agritourism ventures, Mandy Archer, September 2024
Pond safety starts with limiting access, Tabitha Kuehn, August 2024
Air quality conditions hard to predict, Mandy Archer, July 2024
Storm safety: Plan ahead for severe spring storms that can damage farms, Tabitha Kuehn, June 2024
Drought serves as a magnifier for stress, Mandy Archer, May 2024
Test time: Regular radon, paint and water checks keep rural homes safe, Tabitha Kuehn, April 2024
Equipment and workspace checks kick off the season, Mandy Archer, March 2024
Young Iowans work to improve farm safety, Tabitha Kuehn, February 2024
Falls on any surface can result in costly injury, Mandy Archer, January 2024
Navigating the winter wonderland by snowmobile, Tabitha Kuehn, December 2023
Tools help farmers prep for emergency, Mandy Archer, November 2023
Tractor fire a reminder to be prepared, Tabitha Kuehn, October 2023
Study aims to understand and reduce rural crashes, Mandy Archer, September 2023
Lawn mowers put young children at risk, Brandi Janssen, August 2023
Staying safe in the sun, Mandy Archer, July 2023
Assess ag chemicals for summer safety, Brandi Janssen, June 2023
Precautionary advice for ATV handling on roadways, Mandy Archer, May 2023
‘Luckiest grandpa in the world’ takes steps to keep family safe, Brandi Janssen and Jackie Curnick, April 2023
Anhydrous ammonia can be deadly, but there is time to react, Mandy Archer, March 2023
Basic skills, technique can reduce chainsaw risk, Brandi Janssen, February 2023
Disaster prep critical for ag operations, Matison Bentley, January 2023
‘Fall Feel Good’ connects farmers with help, Brandi Janssen, December 2022
Fire prevention important for winter and spring, Brandi Janssen, November 2022
Safety details reduce crashes on rural roads, Brandi Janssen, October 2022
Columnist shares story of a loose Toyota truck, Stephanie Leonard, September 2022
Even a small needle can cause big problems, Brandi Janssen, August 2022
Noxious plants get under your skin, Stephanie Leonard, July 2022
Retiree awarded for career keeping Iowans safe, Brandi Janssen, June 2022
Survivor shares vivid memories of ’92 twister that took her home, Stephanie Leonard, May 2022
Consider safety in grain bins of all ages and sizes, Brandi Janssen, April 2022
National Weather Service offers training to spot risk, Stephanie Leonard, March 2022
ROPS a proven strategy to keep old tractors safely running, Brandi Janssen, February 2022
New Covid variant requires all the tools we have, Stephanie Leonard, January 2022
Gloves protect from more than cold, Brandi Janssen, December 2021
H2S hazard lethal and unpredictable, Stephanie Leonard, November 2021
Farmer, doctor share story of serious injury, Lola Lozano, October 2021
Rural doctor’s goal: Prevent people from getting sick, Stephanie Leonard, September 2021
Keep safety in mind when mowing ditches, Brandi Janssen, August 2021
‘Protecting others’ tops motivations to get vaccine, Steph Leonard, July 2021
Be aware of equipment blind spots to keep bystanders safe, Brandi Janssen, June 2021
Farm leaders share COVID vaccine experiences, Stephanie Leonard, May 2021
Flowers are blooming, ticks are crawling, Brandi Janssen, April 2021
With vaccines come new ways to stay safe, Stephanie Leonard, March 2021
Develop plans to save livestock and livelihood, Brandi Janssen, February 2021
Vaccine rollout doesn’t end the need for care, Stephanie Leonard, January 2021
Stocked, visible first aid kit vital to farm safety, Brandi Janssen, December 2020
Keep Your Guard–And Mask–Up, Stephanie Leonard, November 2020
Agencies Work Together to Add Respirator Test Options, Brandi Janssen, October 2020
Iowa Leads as COVID Rates Rise in the US, Stephanie Leonard, September 2020
Resources Available for COVID-19 Stress Management, Brandi Janssen, August 2020
COVID Upsurge Demands All-Hands Effort, Stephanie Leonard, July 2020
Science Matters in Agriculture and Public Health, Brandi Janssen, June 2020
Choose Safety: As States Open, Take Steps to Protect Each Other, Stephanie Leonard, May 2020
Preventing Rural Crashes Critical Amid Health Crisis, Brandi Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, April 2020
Face Masks Have Different Purposes, Protective Levels, Stephanie Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, March 2020
Youth May Be Key to Safer Farms, Brandi Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, February 2020
Press Release: Study Reveals Midwest Farmers’ Top Concerns and Stressors, University of Iowa College of Public Health, February 2020
Simple Kits Are First Step to Address Radon Hazard in Homes, Stephanie Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, January 2020
Don’t Rely on Luck to Get Through Next Emergency, Brandi Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, December 2019
Safety Acronym Invites Farmers to Consider All Risks in Each Situation, Steph Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, November 2019
No Matter the Ladder, Keep Safety in Mind, Brandi Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, October 2019
Farmer Touts Safety Mantra Years After Close Call, Brad Guse and Stephanie Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, September 2019
Recent Deaths Reinforce Need for Safe Driving, ROPS, Brandi Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, August 2019
Mowing Mistakes On Slopes Can Claim Lives, Limbs, Stephanie Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, July 2019
Doctor Can Help Reduce Physical Toll of Farm Work, Brandi Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, June 2019
Man Counts Good Fortune Following ATV Accident, Stephanie Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, May 2019
Rollover Protection a Critical Safety Strategy for Small Farms, Brandi Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, April 2019
Broadcaster Shares Run-In with Steer that Broke Her Hand, Stephanie Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, March 2019
Suicide Prevention is a Community-Wide Effort, Brandi Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, February 2019
Tale of the Ring Neck and the Safety Lady, Stephanie Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, January 2019
Expert Recommends SOPs for Safety, Brandi Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, December 2018
Recent H2S Cattle Deaths a Reminder for Precautions, Stephanie Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, November 2018
Prevent Grain-Related Injuries, Brandi Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, October 2018
Think Twice: 30 Years Later, a Survivor Offers Plea to Farmers, Stephanie Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, September 2018
ATVs Not Made for Roadway, Even When State Law Allows, Brandi Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, August 2018
Telling the Story, Stephanie Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, July 2018
Dairy Promotes Safety from Farm to Table, Brandi Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, June 2018
Safe Handling Could Prevent Hardship Caused by Hay Bales, Stephanie Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, May 2018
Think About Spring Training Before Spring Planting Begins Brandi Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, April 2018
Elders Show Importance of Eye Protection Stephanie Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, March 2018
Farm Safety Doesn’t Happen by Accident, Brandi Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, February 2018
Story of Survival Sparks Changes on Hog Operation, Stephanie Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, January 2018
Farm Couple Honored for Safety Work after Experiencing Tragedy, Brandi Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, December 2017
Farm Film Reaches Rural Classrooms, Urban Theaters, Stephanie Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, November 2017
Youth Groups Encourage Farmer Safety, Brandi Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, October, 2017
Farmer’s Ordeal Began with an ATV Rollover, Stephanie Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, September 2017
Long Hours May Have Hidden Consequences, Brandi Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, August 2017
Simple Mistake Means Shortcut to ER, Stephanie Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, July 2017
Expect the Unexpected When Handling Livestock, Brandi Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, June 2017
Safe Travel Means Busting Some Myths, Stephanie Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, May 2017
Standard Expands Respiratory Protection, Brandi Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, April 2017
Plan Now for Safe Manure Handling, Stephanie Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, March 2017
Small Steps Affect Beginning Farmers’ Safety, Brandi Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, February 2017
Winter Repair Work Presents Stability Risks, Stephanie Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, January 2017
Suicide Rate Among Farmers at Historic High, Brandi Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, December 2016
Producers Respond to H2S Deaths, Stephanie Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, November 2016
Farming with Diabetes Requires Balancing Act, Brandi Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, October 2016.
Risky Moves Rise as Farmers move Fast, Solo, Stephanie Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, September 2016
Responders Prep for Safe Harvest, Brandi Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, August 2016.
Attention to Surroundings Makes Shared Roadways Safer, Stephanie Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, July 2016
Keep New, Young Employees Safe on the Farm This Season, Brandi Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, June 2016
Safety Watch: Micotil injections can be lethal, Stephanie Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, May 2016.
Collaboration Keeps Argentine Farmers Safe, Dr. Marcos Grigioni and Brandi Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, April 2016
The Right Respirator, Stephanie Leonard, March 2016
Farming Safely, Profitably — Are You a Good Risk? Brandi Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, February 2016
Bin Fires Can Create CO Danger. Stephanie Leonard, FACE Director, January 2016
Take Precautions to Avoid Farm Fires this Winter, Brandi Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, December 2015
Various Risks Associated with Pressure Washing, Stephanie Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, November 2015
I-CASH Grants Help Spread Safety to Future Farmers, Brandi Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, October 2015
Everyday Lessons, Stephanie Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, September 2015
Safety Watch: Patience Prevents Accidents When Baling, Moving Hay, Stephanie Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, August 2015
Take Precautions to Avoid Heat-Related Illness, Brandi Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, July 2015
Farming Can Be Challenging After Knee, Shoulder Surgery, Brandi Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, June 2015
Help Kids Stay Safe on the Farm, Marizen Ramirez and Tammy Ellis, Iowa Farmer Today, May 2015
Anhydrous Injury Survivors Share Stories, Stephanie Leonard, Iowa Farmer Today, April 2015
Spring Cleaning: Tips for Safe and Successful Controlled Burns on the Farm, Brandi Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, March 2015
Hearing Protection Never Too Early or Too Late, Stephanie Leonard and Fred Gerr, Iowa Farmer Today, February 2015
Upcoming Conference Brings Together Farmers, Researchers and Health Care Providers. Gayle Olson, Iowa Farmer Today, October 2014
Working to Protect What Matters: Iowa’s Center for Agricultural Safety and Health Continues to Help Farmers Stay Alive and Well. Brandi Janssen, Iowa Farmer Today, September 13, 2014