An upcoming four-part extension workshop for women in agriculture will focus on emergency preparedness for rural families.

The program will be a 4-part series, held at numerous locations across Nebraska and Indiana. The series will focus on farm and ranch emergency management, first aid, fire protection, and hazardous materials. Workshops will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Eastern time on March 5, 7, 12 and 14.

The program is a collaboration between extension women in Agriculture programs at Purdue University and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, agricultural occupations have high rates of work-related injuries and deaths. While not all emergencies result in bodily injury or death, they also may cost rural families in other ways.

“Women play a critical role in ensuring the safety of their homes and rural communities,” said Jenna Nees, Purdue Extension Educator Ag & Natural Resources in Putnam County. “In many farm and ranch families, safety is an important topic, but it sometimes gets overlooked because it does not directly impact profitability.”

Each state’s workshop sites will be hosted by local extension personnel. Keynote speakers will be simulcast to each location, and each site will provide additional speakers and hands-on activities. Dinner will be included at in-person sites.

Nees said the program’s structure is intended to strengthen networks of women in rural areas, which can provide opportunities for building trust and sharing information. “Connections are so important to rural women,” she said. “We have seen the benefits that come from knowing your peers, having a place to share difficulties, and mitigate the isolation that so many of us in agriculture often feel.”

The workshops seek to help participants initiate preventative practices, set up a plan to deal with emergencies before they occur and be more comfortable reacting to emergency situations.

There is a registration fee of $50 per person before Feb. 20. The fee increases to $60 per person after Feb. 20. Participants should plan to attend each session. A virtual option is available for those unable to attend a workshop site, although in-person attendance is highly encouraged to better network with other attendees and interact with speakers. The virtual registration fee is $75 before Feb. 20 and $80 after Feb. 20. Registration may be completed on the Nebraska Women in Agriculture website, https://wia.unl.edu/prep.

Those with questions or concerns can contact Jenna Nees at smith535@purdue.edu or 765-653-8411. This project was supported by a grant from NCRCRD through funding from USDA NIFA Award #2022-51150-38141.  ?

Emergency Preparedness for Rural Families Indiana Workshop Sites

• Angola Steuben — County Community Building, 317 S. Wayne St
• Bloomfield — Community Event Center at the Greene County Fairgrounds, 4503 W. State Road 54
• Columbia City — Purdue Extension - Whitley County, 524 Branch Court
• Columbus — Purdue Extension- Bartholomew County, 783 S. Marr Rd
• Greentown — Howard County 4-H Fairgrounds - Lead Center, 610 E. Payton St
• Plymouth — Marshall County Building - Extension Office, 112 W. Jefferson St.
• Portland — Portland Fire Department, 1616 N. Franklin Street
• Princeton — Gibson County Fairgrounds, 709 N. Embree
• Valparaiso — MAAC Center, 4203 Montdale Park Drive
• Veedersburg — Fountain County Fairgrounds, 476 W. US HWY 136
• Winchester — Randolph County Fairgrounds, 1885 S. US Hwy 27
   

Visit our homepage at www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam or you can contact the local Purdue Extension Office by calling 765.653.8411 for more information regarding this week’s column topic or to RSVP for upcoming events. It is always best to call first to assure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs. While many publications are free, some do have a fee. Purdue University is an equal access/equal opportunity institution. All times listed are Eastern Time.

Upcoming Events:

Feb. 22 – Ag Women Engage Conference, Fort Wayne, $100, register at https://purdue.link/AWE2024

Feb. 27 & Mar. 5 – Navigating Farmland Inheritance webinar series, 12-2 pm, $25 per household/farm, Register at https://cvent.me/EPBQ0D

Mar. 6 – Breakfast with a Forester, 8-10 am, Fairway Restaurant, register at
              765-653-5716 ext. 3

Mar. 5, 7, 12, 14 - Emergency Preparedness for Rural Families, 5:30-8:30 pm, Register at https://wia.unl.edu/prep