National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety

02/13/2026

Many people, including media, use the word “accident” when “incident” would be more appropriate. By definition, accidents are not predictable or preventable. Most accidents described in the news are both predictable and preventable, meaning they are really incidents and not accidents. The decision to use the word “accident” on this website is based on the popular use of the word and the recognition that most people do not understand what is meant by “incident.” https://www.marshfieldresearch.org/nccrahs/incident_accident

02/12/2026

I was on my back on the ground with my leg in the blower. It happened so fast, my foot slipped, and in I went.” Brad is lucky to be alive and sharing his story today. Read more about Brad’s incident and story at https://tellingthestoryproject.org/brad/

02/11/2026

The United Nations declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF 2026). The Year will spotlight the essential roles women play across agrifood systems, from production to trade, while often going unrecognized. Women farmers are central to food security, nutrition and economic resilience. IYWF 2026 will raise awareness and promote actions to close the gender gaps and improve women’s livelihoods worldwide.

The United Nations declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF 2026). The Year will spotlight the essential roles women play across agrifo...

02/10/2026

Exciting news in the ag community! We're thrilled to celebrate John Shutske, Ph.D., named the Journal of Agromedicine's 2026 "Peer Reviewer of the Year"! 🎉 With nearly four decades dedicated to agricultural safety and health, John's commitment to learning and innovation is inspiring.

His perspective on reviewing—“I review to learn”—highlights a vital trend: collaboration & continuous learning are key in ag-tech advancements. Let's discuss how peer review can elevate our understanding of rural health and safety practices.

What trends do you see in agricultural research that excite you? https://doi.org/10.1080/1059924X.2025.2596402

02/09/2026

Every statistic represents a child. Better data collection ensures their risks are visible, not hidden. https://bit.ly/49400Jm

02/06/2026

Parents: “Be a parent first, farmer second” — prioritize safety for children on the farm. https://cultivatesafety.org/parent-first-farmer-second/

02/05/2026

Agriculture is one of the most hazardous U.S. industries for children. Find family/youth safety resources at Cultivate Safety. www.cultivatesafety.org

02/04/2026

Farm life can be wonderful — and dangerous. Use safety strategies and resources to protect your family. www.cultivatesafety.org

02/03/2026

Kids on farms face real risks — keep young children out of worksites and create safe play areas designed for them. Learn more at Cultivate Safety. www.cultivatesafety.org/play

02/02/2026

Research drives innovation—helping us identify risks, test solutions, and deliver evidence-based safety practices to farms. https://bit.ly/49400Jm

02/02/2026

Strong national leadership is essential to protect children in agriculture—bringing farmers, researchers, and policymakers together to drive change. https://bit.ly/49400Jm

01/29/2026

Koller Symposium Speaker Spotlight

Andrea Swenson, PhD, Director of the National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety was one of the 4 main speakers at the Koller Symposium today.

Dr. Swenson presented “Injury Assessment and Development of an Injury Prevention Intervention for the Anabaptist Community,” sharing research that centers on culturally responsive approaches to injury prevention. Her work emphasizes collaboration, trust, and tailored solutions to reduce injury risk while respecting community values and practices.

This research embodies the mission of the Koller Internally Funded Research Award, advancing meaningful, prevention-focused research across Wisconsin communities.