College of Agriculture to host
Farm and Home Safety Expo: Oct. 5

Sept. 26, 2005 -- The College of Agriculture at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro is hosting the 2005 Farm and Home Safety Expo on Wednesday, Oct. 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Craighead County Fairgrounds.

“Fifth graders from the area are invited to participate in the expo to learn about safety education in such areas ATV, chemical, electrical, farm equipment, fire, and sun safety. They will learn safety precautions through presentations, role playing, and hands-on experiences,” said Dr. Kevin Humphrey, Director of Agriculture Education for the College Agriculture.

Each year hundreds of children across the nation are injured in home and farm accidents, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Safety education is the only way to reduce accident-related injuries and fatalities.
Schools throughout Northeast Arkansas were invited earlier in the school year to send 5th graders to the Home and Farm Safety Expo.

More than 360 students have registered for the expo which will include students from Bay Elementary, Brookland Elementary, Cherry Valley Elementary, Crowley’s Ridge Academy Elementary, Harrisburg Middle, and Vanndale Elementary.
In 1999, a committee was formed to address child safety issues in Northeast Arkansas.

This committee is made of a diverse group of volunteer individuals from business, industry, and education that are deeply concerned for the safety of children.
Since its inception, the committee has hosted five successful safety expos for children in Northeast Arkansas.

Farm Credit Mid-South will be providing a hamburger lunch, with members of the Westside High School Future Farmers of America cooking the meal. Coca-Cola will provide sodas and water for the participants and volunteers.

In addition to the ASU College of Agriculture, other sponsors are St. Bernards Medical Center, RiceTec Inc., Town and Country International, Inc., Jonesboro Jaycees, NEA Fair Association, Cache River Valley Seed LLC, Craighead County Farm Bureau, Craighead Electrical Cooperative, ASU College of Nursing and Health Professions, Craighead County Cooperative Extension Service, Melton Brothers John Deere, Emerson Ambulance Service, Jonesboro Fire Department, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and Regions Bank.

FFA chapters from ASU, Bay High School, Brookland High School, Cross County High School, East Poinsett High School, Weiner High School, Westside High School, as well as the ASU Alpha Tau Alpha, a national professional honorary organization for agriculture education, will be assisting in the expo activities.

For more details, please contact Dr. Humphrey at 870-972-2087.

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