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Georgia Farm Bureau as well as county and state Farm Bureau leaders across the nation are sharing resources that will help farmers and ranchers keep safety top of mind through the Agricultural Safety Awareness Program (ASAP). ASAP Week was created to bring awareness to safety and health issues facing the agriculture industry.  As part of this year’s ASAP commemoration, March 2-6 has been designated as Agricultural Safety Awareness Week. This year’s theme is “Live Well. Farm Well”. 

Here are the topics that the program will focus on: 

Beat the Heat 

Heat illness can happen fast in agriculture, especially during long days outdoors. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to hydrate. Remember to drink water often, take shade breaks, and pace yourself.  Farmers also face increased risk of skin cancer due to prolonged sun exposure. Don’t forget to wear sunscreen, long sleeves, wide-brim hats, and UV-protective eyewear every day, not just the hottest or sunniest ones. 

Also, don’t forget about the risk of heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can happen quickly during fieldwork. Symptoms include dizziness, headache, nausea, confusion, and heavy sweating.  Act early to prevent heat exhaustion and heat stroke by cooling down, hydrating and resting when you can.

Rest and Refuel 

Farming demands long days and hard work, but fatigue can lead to dangerous mistakes. Making time to rest, refuel with nutritious meals, and stay hydrated helps maintain focus and reduce the risk of injury. Listening to your body and taking breaks isn’t a weakness, it’s a vital part of staying safe and productive. A well-rested farmer is a safer farmer. 

Farmers often eat on the run but paying attention to food quality more than quantity is important. Fill your lunch box with lean proteins, whole grains, fruits & veggies to stay energized and support recovery.

Know Your Numbers 

Knowing your numbers can save lives. Understanding blood pressure, heart rate, hydration levels, and other key health indicators helps farmers recognize when something isn’t right. Regular checkups and paying attention to warning signs can prevent small issues from becoming serious emergencies. High blood pressure often has no symptoms, but it significantly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. 

Long work hours, stress, dehydration, and limited access to care can put farmers and farmworkers at higher risk. Knowing your blood pressure numbers and checking them regularly helps catch problems early and protects long-term health. Your health is one of your most important tools, take time to monitor it.

Safe Lifting 

Many injuries in agriculture happen while lifting, carrying, or moving heavy loads. Using proper lifting techniques, asking for help, and using equipment when available can prevent long-term strain and injury. Remember to bend at the knees, keep loads close, and never rush a lift. Protecting your body today helps ensure you can keep doing the work you love tomorrow.

Move with Purpose

Every movement on the farm matters. Slips, trips, and falls can happen in seconds when we rush or lose focus. Taking deliberate steps, staying aware of surroundings, and keeping workspaces clear can significantly reduce accidents. When stepping on or off tractors, wagons, hay bales, or into barn lofts, always use three points of contact (two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand) to reduce slips, falls, and injuries. Move with intention, slow down when needed, and stay present in every task. Safety starts with mindful movement.

For more information and resources, visit the ASAP Facebook page. You can also visit the Centers’ YouTube channel for new content and fresh ideas about how to stay safe while working in agriculture, forestry and fishing.  We encourage you to join the movement to keep farms safe and share your own safety messages on social media using the hashtags #ASAP26 and #USAgCenters.

Content provided by Farm Bureau Agricultural Safety Awareness Program, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and U.S. Agricultural Safety and Health Centers.