The Farm Bureau

The Farm Bureau was and still remains a vital force in rural America. A history of the Farm Bureau would show this organization working on a broad base of rural problems and issues. Farm and home safety was one of these problems and accounts for the Farm Bureau's early and continuing affiliation in NIFS and the farm safety movement.

Insurance Companies

Selected insurance companies, in the early years, were also making a concerted effort to reduce farm fatalities as a part of their loss prevention strategies. Their affiliation with the farm safety movement was a logical decision and some of their early participation is a matter of historical record. Their original contributions were of great value and have continued to be so. Companies involved in NIFS in the early years included Iowa Farm Bureau Mutual, Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance, Kansas Farm Bureau Insurance Company, Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Company, Ohio Farm Bureau Insurance Company, Southern Farm Bureau Casualty, and Country Companies.

Farm Machinery Manufacturers and Agricultural Engineers

Farm machinery has always been a major culprit in farm accidents. Manufacturers were not blind to this fact and became involved in the farm safety movement in the early stages of the Farm Safety Institute's development. Their original linkage was through their affiliation with the National Safety Council. Agricultural engineers, representing both industry and universities, became key participants in safety technology and education due to their training and expertise. Many extension safety specialists were agricultural engineers because of their farm machinery connection and their immediate accessibility to the universities.

9 Return to History of NIFS