Programming and expertise to help families and small towns respond to challenges that overwhelmingly affect rural Minnesota and farming communities.
Farm safety
Extension provides information on best business practices, crops, livestock, farm safety, and land management. The small farms program builds on more than a hundred years of experience working with Minnesota farmers to meet their changing needs.
Our goal is to build on the profitability and success already achieved by Minnesota’s agricultural industry and help small farm owners succeed as stewards of the land.
Keeping people safe and healthy
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Resources for difficult times — Find help, counseling, advocacy, legal and referral resources.
Being stressed can compromise farm safety — The ability to stay safe impacts health. The ability to stay healthy impacts safety.
Good self-care helps relieve stress — Self-care isn't selfish. It's a strategy for coping with life's curveballs.
Managing farm family stress — When you bring your job stress back home, it's felt throughout the family. Here are some ways to cope.
Remember grace in times of change — What is considered normal changes over time. It’s not good or bad, it’s just what’s next.
Well-being relies on physical, mental and emotional health — Think of your overall well-being as a three-legged stool. Your physical, mental and emotional health are the supports that can get you through tough times.
What every agritourism farm should have in place – Planning guide for farm emergencies and crisis.
Farm emergency plan – Download a copy to fill and print for your records
Safe agritourism – UMASH. Implement safety practices to reduce the risk of injury or illness to farm visitors.
Cleaning tractors and farm machinery
Reducing fire risk on the farm - Farms present many fire risks, and especially during drought it is critical to pay attention to these risks and take steps to mitigate them.
If you’re considering hiring a teenager to work on your farm or with your agribusiness, it’s important to know the laws and regulations for employing youth. Below we answer some frequently asked questions about hiring youth for agricultural work.
I’d like to hire a teenager to work on my farm/agribusiness, what do I need to know?
There are several operations in agriculture that have been identified by the Federal government as being particularly hazardous for children under the age of 16. These include:
- Operating tractors larger than 20 horsepower.
- Connecting and disconnecting implements to such tractors.
- Operating large farm implements (including combines, balers, and mixers).
Youth under the age of 16 cannot legally perform these tasks as an employee unless they have completed the National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program (NSTMOP) and received certification, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Hazardous Occupations Order in Agriculture.
How can a teenager I want to hire get the NSTMOP Certification?
Each summer, University of Minnesota Extension offers NSTMOP certification through its Youth Tractor and Farm Safety Training program. The training consists of an online course of the NSTMOP learning objectives and in-person training that includes tractor operation instruction in a safe learning environment. The course is open to youth aged 14 and older. The cost is $40 per student.
My child is working for me on my farm, do they need certification?
In Minnesota, there no legal requirements for a child to work on their family’s own farm. But parents should think about the appropriateness of various tasks given the child’s age, physical size, and capabilities. Although it is not required by law, it is highly recommended that youth working on their own farms also complete certification to establish a strong understanding of safe tractor operation and other safety practices on the farm.
You can learn more about UMN Extension’s youth tractor and farm safety training or contact Emily Krekelberg, Extension educator for farm safety and health, at [email protected] or 612-756-3977.
Minnesota Farm and Rural Helpline – 833-600-2670 x 1. Free, confidential, available 24/7. Located in Minnesota. Calls are answered by trained staff and volunteers. If you or someone you know is struggling with stress, anxiety, depression or suicidal thoughts — call. Sometimes it's easier to talk to someone you don't know.
Mental Health and Family Services Line – 1-800-FARM-AID. Farm Aid works with farm advocates, counselors and hotline operators who can help you in your time of need.
Minnesota Rural Mental Health Specialists
- Ted Matthews: 320-266-2390
- Monica McConkey: 218-280-7785
Counselors work with farmers throughout Minnesota. No cost; no paperwork. The service is available thanks to funds from the Minnesota Legislature. While you are welcome to contact either Monica or Ted, Monica generally serves the area north of Highway 12 (which runs from Ortonville through Willmar to the Twin Cities), and Ted generally serves the area south of Highway 12.
Mental Health Minnesota – Search by county or zip code to quickly find local mental health crisis response. If you prefer, you can reach the Crisis Text Line by texting "MN" to 741741.
Extreme weather
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Dealing with damaged ag buildings - Inspecting for damage and making decisions about the future.
Reducing fire risk on the farm - Farms present many fire risks, and especially during drought it is critical to pay attention to these risks and take steps to mitigate them.
Inspecting farm buildings for wind damage safety checks after a storm – National Ag Safety Database (NASD). Roof, foundation, silo and interior checklist.
Preventing ag building roof collapses from snow and ice - What building owners can do to reduce the chances of a roof collapse.
Plan ahead to manage on-farm snowmelt - With a winter of heavy snow and ice, farmers should consider where the snowmelt will go.
Equipment and storage
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Tractor rollover protection – UMASH. Information on rollover protection structures and rebate programs.
Youth tractor and farm safety training - Important safety training for youth aged 14 and older.
Silage storage — UMASH. Hazards in silage bunkers and silos include silo gas, dust with molds, avalanches and more.
Grain handling — UMASH. Steps you can take to help protect you and your family from dangers in grain handling and storage.
Livestock
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Biosecurity for cattle operations - Protecting your farm from outside pathogens helps your business to continue unaffected with productive, healthy cows.
Biosecurity for alternative pig farms - Create a biosecurity plan with specific procedures based on your situation.
Biosecurity for small scale swine production - It is important for all pig farmers, regardless of size and set-up, to have a biosecurity plan.
Biosecurity for small-scale poultry - About avian influenza including what to do if your poultry may be infected, and steps to protect your flock.
Cleaning tractors and farm machinery - Keep farm equipment clean to prevent the spread of pathogens.
Poultry biosecurity - Resources for commercial producers and small flocks.
Horse biosecurity tips for peak riding season - Biosecurity measures are key to keeping your horse healthy while traveling during the show and trail season.
Basic stockmanship: How to properly handle cattle and other farm animals — Includes livestock handling videos
Prevent needlestick injuries — UMASH. Resources to educate and prevent needlestick injuries when administering medication to livestock.
Resources for Minnesota farms
Farm finance
Find resources and tools to help you budget and manage your farm's financial health.
On-farm food safety
Extension's Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) Education Program works with Minnesota’s produce farmers to develop and implement on-farm food safety plans.
Farm Information Line
Contact the Farm Information Line for research-based information and resources from local Extension educators and staff. This statewide service connects you to Extension resources and information to answer your agriculture and natural resource questions.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1-800-232-9077
Please leave a detailed message including your name, contact information, the county you are inquiring about, and your specific question. We respond to voicemails and emails Monday through Friday.
Learn more about small farms
Contacts:
Farm Information Line, [email protected]
Emily Krekelberg, Extension educator, Farm safety and health, [email protected]
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