The Audrain County Health Department will once again bring farm safety and an appreciation for Audrain County farmers to the forefront with the second Farm Safety Day Appreciation Luncheon, which is being offered free to area farmers, their families and those working in agriculture related businesses. This year’s luncheon will be held on March 5.

“This is our way of saying thank you to the hard-working men and women that comprise our agricultural community in Audrain County,” said ACHD Administrator and CEO Craig Brace. “It’s our way of saying we value your work and contribution you make to our county.”

This year, the luncheon will feature two keynote speakers at the event, which gets underway at 11 a.m. at the Audrain County 4H Center, southwest of Mexico on Route D. The free lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. The first speaker will be Laura Heitmann, the director of Behavioral Outreach at the Arthur Center in Mexico, who will be talking about the importance of mental health on the family farm.

The keynote speaker will be Bowling Green resident Susie Oberdahlhoff, who is often referred to as the Erma Bombeck of Agriculture for her unique and witty look on the state of the industry and becoming a farm wife after being raised all her life in the city.

“Also at the luncheon will be numerous opportunities from various entities that conduct business in Audrain County that are concerned with farmer health and safety,” Brace continued. “We’ve got everything from the Stop The Bleed program through the University of Missouri Healthcare to the Mexico YMCA on hand highlighting their offerings on what a difference general health can make in a farm worker’s life and how they can help.”

Brace pointed out the event will also feature tables with various emergency services offered in Audrain County.

Also, this year, the plan calls for the University of Missouri Air Medical Service to have one of their helicopters alighting in the parking lot on the east end of the 4H Center, so those attending can get an up close and personal experience with the machine and the crew. Crew members will be on hand to answer questions, and an AirMedCare Network representative will be on hand at a table inside the hall to answer further questions about membership.

“All in all, we’re hoping this luncheon will be a chance for area farmers and their families to maybe learn a bit more about how to be safe while working on the farm,” Brace said. “Our hope is everyone in attendance will walk away a little more confident about something to do with their health and safety than when they arrived.”

To register by March 3, go to this link in any web browser: https://qr1.be/N6DC. People don’t have to be registered to attend.