Farm Safety on the Prairie event focuses on prevention, preparation
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will host Farm Safety on the Prairie Day on Feb. 18 in Stuttgart to share safety best practices and demonstrate response techniques for potential accidents.
Feb. 16, 2026
By Tracy Courage
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts
- Event planned for Feb. 18 at Grand Prairie Center in Stuttgart
- Planned demos: dust explosion simulator, grain bin extraction, first aid
- Topics: chemical, electrical, pipeline and power line safety
- Free to attend, lunch provided: Register online
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STUTTGART, Ark. — Farm work comes with inherent safety risks. Falls, dust explosions,
grain bin entrapment and severe injuries are risks that come with the job.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will host Farm Safety on the Prairie Day on Feb. 18 in Stuttgart. Extension experts will share safety best practices and demonstrate response techniques for potential accidents.
“Knowing what to do and how to respond is important in those situations,” said Grant Beckwith, extension agriculture agent and staff chair in the Arkansas County extension office.
The half-day event will take place 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Grand Prairie Center, 2709 U.S. 165 South, Stuttgart, Arkansas. The center is located on the campus of Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas.
The event is free and includes lunch. Online registration is not required but is requested to help organizers plan for lunch.
Speakers will cover a variety of safety topics, including chemical, electrical, pipeline, power line and grain bin safety as well as farm stress and mental health.
“All of the topics that will be covered are ones that farmers have requested,” Beckwith said.
Riceland Foods will conduct a dust explosion simulation, and attendees can see a grain bin extraction in the afternoon.
“We have more grain bins going in on the prairie,” Beckwith said. “These are scenarios that folks need to be aware of.”
Energy Transfer will share information about pipeline safety and how to avoid hitting underground pipelines, which can cause explosions. First Electric Cooperative will have a trailer on site for attendees to learn about power line safety.
Basic CPR and First Aid
The event includes a one-hour basic CPR class. The training doesn’t include certification, but sign-ups will be available for those interested in attending a longer CPR-certification class later.
Attendees will also learn life-saving tips from the Stop the Bleed program.
“On the farm, you can have accidents with deep cuts that may require a tourniquet,” Beckwith said. “In those instances, the focus is on stopping the bleeding however you can until first responders arrive.”
Law enforcement will provide a live 911 call demonstration so attendees can hear what information is needed to ensure a fast and effective emergency response.
Schedule
10 a.m. — Outdoor safety demonstrations
- Electrical safety
- Riceland Foods dust explosion simulator
11 a.m. — Lunch / Short Farm Safety Talks
- Stop the Bleed
- Pipeline safety
- Chemical safety
- Grain bin safety
- 911 emergency call demonstration
After Lunch — Grain bin extraction demonstration
1 p.m. — Basic CPR class (no certification)
2 p.m. — Adjourn
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. To learn more about ag and food research in Arkansas, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station at aaes.uada.edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact Grant Beckwith at 870-692-4445 as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.
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Media Contact: Tracy Courage
Director of Communications-Extension
U of A System Division of Agriculture
501-658-2044