SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Every year since 2005, the New York State Agricultural Society’s Farm Safety Award has recognized farms that have unique and successful safety programs. The 2021 Farm Safety Award honored Harlem Valley Homestead, located in Wingdale, NY in Dutchess County. The award was presented at the Ag Society’s Annual Meeting and Forum in Syracuse on January 6, 2022. On behalf of the farm, Zachary Kapple, Solutions Manager at Harlem Valley Homestead, accepted the award, which is sponsored by Cargill, Inc. and includes a plaque and $500.
Harlem Valley Homestead is a livestock and produce operation owned by financial investor Michael Armilio. The 250-acre farm has approximately 11 employees. The produce season requires intensive activity, but safety is also at the forefront working with the farm’s beef cattle herd, woodlot, pork, and laying hens. The farm’s safety philosophy is summarized in six words: “Safety First, People First, Safety Matters.” The greatest compliment the farm receives is staff feedback stating their great appreciation to the attention given to their wellbeing.
Since worker safety and health is paramount, the farm team goes beyond all required safety and health training. Participation in annual safety training is mandatory for all staff. The farm has Standard Operating Procedures for heat awareness, storm preparedness, livestock handling and more. The farm appreciates and gains much insight from annual safety audits conducted with NYCAMH staff. They also provide an opportunity for staff to have a direct OSHA contact for health and safety related questions through the employer’s payroll and benefits program.
Harlem Valley Homestead has made additional safety and health programs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The farm complies with the NYS Hero Act, which requires employers to have a plan to protect employees from airborne infectious diseases. There are strict COVID-19 protocols in place and the farm has also implemented a mandatory vaccination policy.
Mishaps are avoided because of the strict adherence to safety rules. In the event of a near miss, staff use a root cause analysis that asks five “whys” to determine how to avoid such mishaps in the future. This allows staff members, as well as management, to fully understand why the near miss happened. Finally, farm management extends safety protections to all customers, since safety is important for everyone who comes onsite. Ownership, management, and staff all agree Harlem Valley Homestead is one of the safest farms around.
Agricultural safety and health are important issues to the New York State Agricultural Society. The Society’s Farm Safety Award recognizes farms that have successful farm safety programs for their employees. To nominate a farm for next year’s award, visit the New York State Agricultural Society website and submit an application including a summary of their safety programs and activities by September 1, 2022. Nominees are evaluated and up to two farms each year are selected to receive recognition and an award of $500 per farm. NYCAMH can assist any farm that would like to be nominated for the Farm Safety Award.
This website link to the Farm Safety Award can be found at: https://www.nysagsociety.org/forms/view/new-york-farm-safety-award-application/
NYCAMH is available to come to farms to provide consulting and safety surveys for management as well as safety training for employees. These services are free of charge and are funded by the New York State Department of Labor Hazard Abatement Board. For more information visit the NYCAMH webpage at: http://www.nycamh.com, or call NYCAMH at (800) 343-7527.
–Jim Carrabba
New York Center for Agricultural Medicine & Health – NYCAMH
