Friday, May 15, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Melissa Ploeckelman Brown
Melissa.Ploeckelman@SanfordHealth.org
715-240-0900

CONTACT: Scott Heiberger
Scott.Heiberger@SanfordHealth.org
715-207-1604

New “FRESH” Area Highlights Farm Safety, Health, Wellness

An interactive area called “FRESH: Farm Rescue Education, Safety, and Health” will debut at Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, offering hands-on learning and resources for farm families.

This initiative is a collaboration between the National Farm Medicine Center, National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety, Pittsville Fire Department and Marshfield Clinic.

The FRESH area will be located at the corner of first and central, and it will feature four key components:

Safe Play Area

A dedicated children’s space built using guidance from Cultivate Safety, showcasing best practices for safe play areas on farms. The space will include a playground, sandbox, games, and picnic seating for families. A physical barrier will demonstrate how to separate play areas from farm hazards. Special programming includes Story Time on Tuesday.

Tot Zone

A family-friendly space designed for toddlers and caregivers, including a private nursing area, diaper-changing stations, and essential supplies.

Health & Safety Education Area

Experts in agricultural safety and rural health will share resources and research, including representatives from:

  • Marshfield Clinic Research Institute
  • Progressive Agriculture Safety Foundation
  • AgriSafe Network
  • AgrAbility
  • Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association (WATA)

Youth can participate in the Youth Agriculture Adventure Passport and earn prizes for engaging with safety education.

“Attending Farm Technology Days is an honor,” said Brian Kuhl, president and CEO, Progressive Agriculture Foundation. “Providing hands-on safety education helps protect our children and strengthens farm communities.”

Demonstration Area

Live demonstrations will include:

  • Tractor rollover prevention and rescue
  • Grain bin rescue
  • Stop the Bleed training
  • Confined space and manure pit rescue (Wednesday only)

“These incidents are low frequency but high risk,” said Pittsville Fire Chief Jerry Minor. “If we can prevent them, we can protect entire communities.”

###