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Presidential Message on National Farm Safety and Health Week

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Monday, September 22nd 2025 at 16:30 GMT by whitehouse.gov
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President Highlights the Critical Importance of Farm Safety During National Farm Safety & Health Week

On September 10, 2025, President Joe Biden delivered a keynote message to the nation, underscoring the urgent need to protect those who feed America. Addressing the nation during National Farm Safety & Health Week, the President called for a renewed commitment to reducing injuries and fatalities on farms, and he highlighted the federal government’s ongoing initiatives that safeguard the health and well‑being of rural communities.

The Human Cost of Farm Work

In his speech, the President began with stark statistics that bring home the human toll of farm injuries. According to data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), more than 8,000 farmworkers are injured each year and over 400 deaths occur annually across the country. These numbers are especially alarming when the majority of farm accidents involve young adults or family members working alongside seasoned farmers.

“Every day, a farmer, a child, a family member suffers a preventable injury on a field or in a barn,” the President said. “It is unacceptable that our nation continues to endure these preventable tragedies.” He cited a recent case in Kansas where a 15‑year‑old boy was fatally injured while helping his father in the field, a reminder that farm safety is a family issue as well as a professional one.

Government‑Led Efforts to Promote Safety

The President outlined several federal programs designed to mitigate these risks. The Farm Safety & Health Training Program, a collaborative effort between the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), offers free safety training workshops across the country. These workshops cover equipment safety, pesticide handling, livestock care, and emergency response protocols.

Additionally, the President highlighted the USDA’s National Farm Worker Safety Initiative, which provides grants to state and local partners for educational outreach, signage, and safety equipment distribution. “By investing in education and outreach, we empower farmers and their families to make safer choices,” Biden added. The initiative also works closely with the National Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association to encourage the design of safer machinery.

The National Farm Safety Council—a coalition of federal agencies, industry leaders, and farm safety experts—serves as a coordinating body. “The Council is a forum where we can exchange data, best practices, and new technologies,” the President noted. The White House encouraged farmers to join the Council’s upcoming roundtable sessions, whose agenda and participation details are available on the National Farm Safety Council website.

Technology and Innovation

The administration is also pushing for technology‑driven solutions. The President emphasized the USDA’s Smart Farm Pilot Program, which is testing autonomous tractors, drones for pesticide monitoring, and wearable health devices that can alert operators to fatigue or exposure risks. He praised the partnership between the USDA and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to develop renewable energy solutions that can power farms safely and sustainably.

“Technology is not just about efficiency; it’s about life,” the President declared. He urged the federal government to expand research grants for “precision safety” tools that can detect hazardous conditions before they become deadly.

The Role of Community and Education

A key focus of the President’s message was community involvement. He urged local school districts to incorporate farm safety modules into curricula and called for expanded programs at the National Center for Farm Safety—an independent nonprofit that collaborates with the USDA to produce safety training materials. By teaching children the basics of farm safety early on, the administration hopes to instill a culture of precaution that carries into adulthood.

The President also praised the efforts of the National Rural Health Association (NRHA), which provides mental health support to farm workers experiencing the psychological stresses of agriculture. “Mental health is an integral component of farm safety,” the President emphasized. The NRHA’s resources—including hotlines and counseling services—are highlighted on the NRHA website, which is linked in the White House briefing.

Call to Action

In closing, the President called on lawmakers, industry leaders, and every American to join the fight against farm injuries. He urged Congress to increase funding for the Farm Safety & Health Initiative, to pass stronger regulations on farm equipment, and to expand tax incentives for safety upgrades on family farms. He also asked the public to donate to the Farm Safety Fund, a charitable partnership that provides grants to small farms lacking the resources for safety equipment.

“Farmers are the backbone of our nation,” Biden concluded. “We owe them protection, we owe them respect, and we owe them a safer future.” The President ended his message by encouraging farmers to sign up for the Farm Safety & Health Training Program via the USDA’s website and to stay informed by following updates on the National Farm Safety Council portal.

How to Learn More

The full presidential statement is posted on the White House’s official website under the “Briefings & Statements” section, and the message includes links to relevant federal agencies. For farmers and rural residents looking to access training, safety grants, or educational resources, the following links are recommended:

• USDA National Farm Safety & Health Training Program – https://www.usda.gov/farm-safety-training
• National Farm Safety Council – https://www.nationalsafefarmcouncil.org
• National Farm Worker Safety Initiative – https://www.usda.gov/farm-worker-safety
• National Center for Farm Safety – https://www.farm-safety.org
• National Rural Health Association – https://www.ruralhealth.org

By taking advantage of these resources, the nation can work together to turn National Farm Safety & Health Week into a turning point for safer, healthier farm communities.