Growing Safely, Part 3: Closing the Child Care Access Gap Artwork

FarmSafe Podcast

In the blink of an eye a farm injury can change your life. Sharing stories of events, close-calls, and effective safety strategies can help you identify on farm risks and figure out ways to prevent devastating injuries and illnesses. The Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health presents FarmSafe, a podcast dedicated to sharing stories and tips to help make your work on the farm safer and healthier. Original music for the FarmSafe podcast was written and performed by Ben Schmidt. This work was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as part of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health. The content does not necessarily represent the official views of the CDC or NIOSH.

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FarmSafe Podcast

Growing Safely, Part 3: Closing the Child Care Access Gap

April 23, 2025 • Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health • Season 4 • Episode 10

While useful tools and educational programs are being developed to address childcare needs and farm child safety, there are still many social, practical, and monetary challenges to overcome. Dr. Florence Becot joins us again to wrap up our three-part series. This time, we explore the broader impact of childcare expenses on farm families' ability to earn a living and the need for more extensive support initiatives in rural areas to mitigate some of these challenges. This episode highlights the need for comprehensive support that goes beyond simply addressing childcare access and emphasizes the importance of stable farm income and affordable health insurance to enable farmers to successfully balance work and family responsibilities.

Episode Resources

A Roadmap for Delivering Child Care in Agricultural Communities, National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety & Migrant Clinicians Network, Workbook

Safe Play Posters, Cultivate Safety

Child Agricultural Safety Brochure, National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety [PDF]

Child/Youth Agricultural Safety Checklist, National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety [PDF]