I. Introduction
Tractor Across Tennessee is an educational program to promote farm safety conducted by the husband and wife team of Robin and Kris Ann Fazio. The Fazios, who have recently experienced a devastating farm injury, will drive a tractor across the state, stopping at towns and schools to educate interested groups about the importance of safety in agricultural operations.II. Justification
Farming is one of the most dangerous occupations in America today. The agriculture field has a death rate five times higher than the average of all other industries (1), and for the last forty years it has competed with construction and mining as the most hazardous career in the United States (2, 3, 4). Over 700 farmers and farm workers die every year in work related accidents in the United States, while another 120,000 suffer disabling injuries (5). In Tennessee alone, 4,522 farmers are injured and 49 are killed annually in some type of farm accident (6). Studies have even indicated that as many as nine percent of currently active farmers are plagued by a residual injury that occurred some time during their farming career (7).III. Objectives and Mission StatementThe economic implications of farm accidents are equally staggering. The total cost of disabling injuries and deaths to the American agricultural industry is over $4.7 billion annually, or $2,475 for every U.S. farm (8). In Tennessee, each fatality costs the affected farm family over $730,000, and each injury over $25,000 (6). While a farm injury can be economically devastating, the monetary loss incurred is hardly as great as the severe emotional and physical stress that an injured farmer and his/her family suffer as a result of a traumatic farm accident. Those who are not forced retire from farming altogether are usually plagued with physical disabilities the rest of their lives.
In the last 15 years, the agricultural industry has addressed the issue of farm safety. Nearly everyone involved in agriculture today has noticed an increase in the number of safety features and warnings on new equipment, as well as increased farm safety publications and programs. However, farm injury and death statistics suggest that these farm safety campaigns have been unsuccessful in reducing the number of farm accidents. Fatality rates on farms are four times higher today than they were in 1945, and have remained virtually unchanged since the early 1970’s (2). At first glance, this appears to be the result of increasing mechanization of agricultural operations, but 46% of farm injuries are the result of operator error, and only 6% from equipment design problems (7).
For whatever reason, most farmers occasionally utilize unsafe practices in the course of their farming activities. They may be in a hurry or so tired that they make mistakes. Some are unwilling or unable to purchase and use appropriate safety equipment, or maybe they are planning to repair or replace safety devices later. Some may be unaware of the proper way to perform certain tasks or unaware of the potential risks involved. Unfortunately, there are also some who knowingly take chances, perhaps having done things that way many times before without incident.
The greatest tragedy associated with farm accidents is that many could have been prevented if the farmer had followed proper safety procedures. The data clearly illustrates that current safety programs are not enough - only direct, hands-on education will be successful in saving the lives of Tennessee farmers.
As stated earlier, agricultural fatality and injury statistics demonstrate the need for more emphasis to be placed on farm safety education in Tennessee. While many programs are currently in place to increase awareness and safety in the agricultural field, significant decreases have not been observed in the number of disabling injuries and deaths. By its design, Tractor Across Tennessee will be a more effective method of farm safety education.IV. QualificationsTractor Across Tennessee's key to success lies in the personalization of agricultural safety issues. Since tractors and machinery are responsible for nearly 60 percent of farm deaths in Tennessee (6), our proposed program is to drive a tractor on rural routes across the state. By taking farm safety issues to Tennessee's most populated farming communities, we will come face-to-face with our targeted agricultural audience. Since many farm safety efforts are general and impersonal (signs, placards, videos, literature, etc.), we believe that this unique approach will bring personal experiences and practical solutions to individual farmers and their families.
One of the goals of Tractor Across Tennessee is to convey the message of farm safety is to as large an audience as possible. Prior to and during the trip, we will publicize our program and route in newspapers and on television so that communities will know what we are doing and when to expect our visit. With the aid of agricultural sponsors and personnel to gather interested groups, we will give daily presentations at agricultural facilities and meetings. We will also broaden our audience by participating in parades and festivals.
This program has the potential to truly make a difference in Tennessee's agricultural workplace. In implementing the aforementioned objectives, we sincerely believe that Tractor Across Tennessee will successfully supplement farm safety programs already in place.
Tractor Across Tennessee is a program that will promote farm safety through publicity and farmer education. Robin Fazio and his wife, Kris Ann, feel that they are obligated and especially qualified to carry out this project.V. SponsorshipRobin has worked on a variety of farming operations since high school and holds a B.S. and M.S. in animal science. After completion of his Master's degree, he was employed as a college instructor and agricultural consultant. In September of 1998, while working part-time on a friend's dairy farm in Maryville, Tennessee, Robin was involved in a devastating farm accident.
Robin had been assigned to mow hay that day, and the owner of the farm had escorted Robin to the chosen field. In order to show Robin where to cut, the farm owner was to drive one pass around the field while Robin observed by riding on the fender. Halfway around the field, they struck an unseen sinkhole. The operator lost control; Robin was thrown from the tractor and subsequently run over by the rear wheel. The tractor crushed his body from foot to head, but miraculously he survived. However, he was seriously injured, having suffered a compound fracture of the left leg, dislocated and broken hip, multiple rib fractures, collapsed right lung, broken right scapula, fractured vertebra in the back and neck, and a concussion. Four surgeries and three months of intensive recovery were necessary to bring Robin back to health.
While injured, Robin witnessed severe physical and emotional deterioration of himself and his family. His wife, Kris Ann, was forced to drop out of veterinary school to care for him. With no way to support themselves, their family and friends aided in bearing the financial and emotional burden that accompanied Robin's injury. Nine months later, Robin and Kris Ann have returned to a normal lifestyle. Unlike most serious farm accidents, Robin has very little physical disabilities.
After the accident, countless farmers expressed to Robin and Kris Ann how often they had participated in unsafe practices as a daily part of their farming operations. Most comments were the same: “I've done the same thing (ride on the fender) all my life, and never thought anything about it.”
Since returning to health, Robin and Kris Ann have been advocates of farm safety education, through speaking to individuals and formal presentations. They feel extremely blessed to be alive and well, and thus feel obligated to spread the word about farm safety. They feel especially qualified to educate about farm safety, and that Tractor Across Tennessee is an ideal opportunity to make a difference in the way Tennessee farmers feel about safety.
Tractor Across Tennessee has the potential to be one of the most successful means of farm safety education to date, but only with the help of generous sponsors. Money, equipment, supplies, contact information, publicity, and volunteer time are desperately needed to make this program a success (see financial section).VI. Financial InformationSaving lives through education comes at a very small price. Sponsors of Tractor Across Tennessee will have the opportunity to associate themselves with this state-wide service effort, thus bringing recognition to themselves or their business. This, along with the available advertising opportunities, is indeed a large return for a small investment. These benefits come in addition to the satisfaction of knowing that a difference is being made through their contribution to this farm safety education campaign.
The following is a list of materials and equipment needed to implement Tractor Across Tennessee. Sponsors may contribute money, supplies, or time. Robin and Kris Ann wish no personal compensation for this program, therefore upon completion of the project, any money left over will be donated to the Tennessee AgrAbility Project.
Scheduled stops in 21 communities at Coops, Farm Bureaus, festivals/parades, schools (4-H, FFA, etc.), courthouses, town squaresSponsors:Route will follow scenic two-lane highways - US 321, US 70 and TN 96 - for approximately 550 miles over 16 days.
UT Agricultural Extension Service
Ritchie Tractor Co, Knoxville
Smoky Mountain Antique Engine and Tractor Association
Tennessee Farmers Coop
Tennessee Farm Bureau
Tennessee Agrability Project and Easter Seals
Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association