A message about the Farm Safety Foundation's Farm Safety Week 2026 from YFC AGRI Chair Nathan Greenwood.
Farm safety is changing – and young farmers have an important role in making that happen.
Across many areas of life, we’ve seen young people challenge old attitudes and start conversations that previous generations often preferred to avoid. Mental health is one example, where speaking openly and looking out for each other has helped create real change. Farm safety can, and must, now follow the same path.
Being safe on farm isn’t about slowing the job down or being told what to do. It’s about recognising that we are the most important assets our farms have and that the way we work influences the people around us.
The decisions we make – whether that’s putting the phone away in the tractor, wearing a helmet on the quad, taking a break when we need one, checking for hazards or making sure everyone knows the plan before starting a job – all help shape the culture of farming.
That’s why this Farm Safety Week (20-24 July) we’re saying “We’re in.” We’re in for having the conversations, challenging unsafe habits and making best practice part of everyday farming.
Clubs can show they’re in by adding the Farm Safety workshop to their programme, sharing positive messages throughout the week, and leading by example at meetings, events and on farm visits. Every time we talk about safety in a positive way, we help make it normal.
Changing culture doesn’t happen overnight. It happens through the small choices we make every day.
Making farming safer is a job for all of us – and I’m in. Are you?
For more information about Farm Safety Week, visit The Farm Foundation.