To ensure the next generation of farmers, farm workers and all those whose careers and lives are affiliated with agriculture, the National Children’s Center has updated the National Action Plan for Childhood Agricultural Injury Prevention. The National Children’s Center worked with external advisors and many others to enhance the framework for protecting the safety, health, and well-being of children who live on, work on, or visit our nation’s nearly 2 million farms and ranches. The original plan was published in 1996, with updates in 2001 and 2012.
“This update reflects decades of progress while addressing new and emerging issues,” said Andrea Swenson, Ph.D., director of the National Children’s Center.
The plan addresses leadership, data gathering, policy, research, dissemination and implementation. Additionally, it acknowledges new agricultural production practices, environmental exposures, extreme weather and changing demographics of farm owners and workers. Swenson said the action plan is relevant to a wide range of audiences affiliated with agriculture, youth, safety and health. Examples include child farm safety organizations, agribusinesses, farm organizations, federal, state and local agencies, educators, researchers, communicators, philanthropists and policymakers. While many changes have occurred since the release of the 2012 National Action Plan, problems persist.
“One of the most persistent issues is that tractors remain the most common source of youth deaths on farms,” Swenson said. “Adding to the tractor problem is the increasing number of childhood fatalities associated with skid steers.”
The plan is scheduled to be published summer 2025.
