Farm safety can’t wait until after harvest
As crops across Minnesota mature and farmers prepare for harvest, our farmlands become some of my favorite scenery. But those views come real danger and risk for our ag workers.
Farmers are 800% more likely to die on the job than workers in other industries, according to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Agriculture is the most hazardous industry in the country. Tractor rollovers are the leading cause of death. Grain bins and silos, toxic chemicals, livestock handling, and other heavy equipment also cause serious injuries and fatalities. In an ag-heavy district in an ag-heavy state, too many of us know those tragedies firsthand.
Help is available. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has two active programs that support farm safety, the Grain Storage Facility Safety Grant and the Rollover Protective Structures (ROPS) Grant. Together they have $75,000 available per year (2026 and 2027) through June 30, 2027. Applications are first come, first served until the money runs out, so I encourage farmers to apply now.
The Grain Storage Facility Safety Grant helps farmers pay for safety upgrades to on-farm grain bins and silos. It covers up to 75% of eligible costs, up to $400 per bin or silo, with a limit of $2,400 per farm per year. Eligible expenses include fall protection systems, spiral staircases or platforms for older (pre-2020) bins, guardrails, dust collection systems, air quality monitors, grain level gauges, and more. In the Legislature, I worked on several bills to strengthen farm safety, including legislation to establish grant programs for grain storage facilities. Details: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/grainstoragesafetycostshare
The ROPS Grant helps make older tractors safer by adding certified rollover protection kits. Roll bars with seat belts are 99% effective at preventing serious injury or death. The program covers at least 70% of the cost of parts, shipping, and installation, and caps a farmer’s out-of-pocket cost at $500 per tractor. Details: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/rollover-protective-structures-rops-grant
Other resources are available as well. The Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center offers training and educational materials. Farm Answers provides hundreds of guides and videos. Minnesota OSHA’s Workplace Safety Consultation offers free on-site reviews and grants of up to $10,000 for safety upgrades. The Southern Minnesota Center of Agriculture also provides an Ag Safety Trailer for local trainings and events.
Minnesota ranks sixth in the nation in agricultural production, with $26 billion in agricultural sales each year. Farming is a critical part of our state’s economy and culture. Investing in farm safety protects the people who grow our food and helps them make it home to their families.
If you have questions, need help applying, or have ideas to improve farm safety, please contact me anytime.
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