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On July 24th, from 6 to 8 p.m., the Carlisle County community came together at Mathis & Gill Farms in Bardwell, Kentucky, for Family Health & Safety Night--an evening focused on promoting farmer health, safety, and rescue preparedness. With informative presentations, great food, and heartfelt conversations, the event offered a powerful reminder of the importance of protecting those who keep rural communities thriving.
Megan Gill Koch, co-host of the event, shared her personal connection to the mission. "Growing up on our family farm, I experienced firsthand both the beauty and the risks that come with farm life," she said. "Hosting the Family Farm Health & Safety Night was born out of a deep desire to protect and educate the people who mean the most to me--our farming families."
Megan emphasized that the event wasn't just about sharing information--it was about creating a culture of safety and support in rural areas. "By raising awareness about everything from equipment safety to mental health and first aid, we are helping prevent accidents before they happen and fostering a culture where safety is part of everyday life," she said.
The evening featured a powerful presentation from Dale Dobson, Safety Administrator with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. His talk, titled "Health, Farm Safety, Farmer's Health, and Farm Rescue," equipped attendees with tools to stay safe on the job and care for their overall well-being.
Sponsored by Valley Insurance and hosted by Mathis & Gill Farms, the event also included a meal for all attendees, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Carlisle County High School FFA Teacher, Mercedes Branham, had some of her FFA students help serve lunch earlier in the day during the Rinse and Return event and participated in the safety dinner, highlighting their dedication to agricultural leadership.
Branham said, "It is important for our students to attending trainings like these so that they can gain an understanding of farm safety early and before they start entering the workforce."
Megan hopes to grow the event annually, saying, "Our goal is to make this an annual event--growing it bigger and better each year--to continue supporting the health and safety of the people who keep our farms, and our communities, running strong."
