FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 22, 2008

Editors Note:   Media representatives may receive a complimentary registration for this event.  To receive press credentials, please return the attached registration form so that we may have materials, seating, and lunch available for you.  We look forward to your attendance.  Thank you.

Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania August Training on Farm Safety

Bellefonte, PA – The tragedy of a farm accident is not just measured in personal loss, but has far reaching effects throughout a community and within the farming industry. The Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania is leading the way in creating a safer farm environment by helping dairy producers update their on-farm practices with a special training session beginning at 8:30 am on November 6 in Cochranville, PA.

Whether a person lives on a farm, works on a farm, or just visits a farm, he or she must be acutely aware of farm safety.  The message of “Farm Safety: It’s About Protecting Your Farm and Loved Ones” will be brought home by a family that has agreed to share their personal experience with a farm accident that involved their young son.

PDMP President Logan Bower said PDMP is collaborating with Cargill Consulting Services on this workshop because “accidents do happen.”  He notes, “This program can’t prevent every accident, but if it prevents one that might happen on your farm, isn’t it worth the time to attend?”

In addition to specific tips for protecting people on the farm, the day will include practical information about the impact of safety management as it relates to insurance. Dairy producer Duane Hershey will also share what he learned about practices on his farm after undergoing a professional farm safety audit.  Later in the day, the audience will have the opportunity to personally visit Hershey’s Ar-Joy Farm and see how their own safety measures compare.

According to Charlie Gardner, DVM, from Cargill, who helped organize the workshop, the program is “guaranteed to heighten awareness of farm safety issues for everyone who comes into contact with a farm.”

Producers from operations of all sizes have attested to the value of PDMP’s training sessions both for their educational content and networking opportunity.  As many as 120 producers and suppliers have attended an Issue Forum this year. This Dairy Industry Issue Forum on farm safety is the final session in 2008, as PDMP joins other leading industry organizations in concentrating on preparations for the PA Dairy Summit which will be held in February.

The registration fee is only $25 for any individual from a PDMP member farm or business. To help non-members understand the value of these exceptional meetings, PDMP extends an open invitation to all the Commonwealth’s dairy producers to attend one Issue Forum at the member rate. The standard non-member fee is $75 per person.

To get more information and to register online, visit PDMP’s website, www.pdmp.org and click on the events button. 
             
PDMP is an organization of progressive, positive-minded dairy producers and agribusiness leaders.  Its mission is to advance the dairy industry in Pennsylvania through improved productivity and profitability. This program is being made possible in part through the support of PDMP Premier Partners: AgChoice Farm Credit, Cargill, Lancaster Dairy Farm Automation, Land O’Lakes, Monsanto, and Pioneer Hi-Bred.  For more information on PDMP, visit their website at www.pdmp.org or email info@pdmp.org.