Rural emergency preparedness workshops in Plymouth next month

PLYMOUTH, Ind. -- Purdue University's Women in Agriculture team has announced it will be hosting a four-part workshop that will focus on emergency preparedness for rural families in Plymouth on March 5, 7, 12, and 14. 

The series is a collaboration between extension Women in Agriculture programs at Purdue University and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and will focus on farm and ranch emergency management, first aid, fire protection, and hazardous materials. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, agricultural occupations have high rates of work-related injuries and deaths.

"While not all emergencies result in bodily injury or death, they also may cost rural families in other ways," event organizers say. "Each state will host a number of workshop sites with local extension personnel. Keynote speakers will be simulcast to each location, and each site will provide additional speakers and hands-on activities."

There will also be a dinner included.

The workshops are open to the public and seek to help participants, "initiate preventative practices, set up a plan to deal with emergencies before they occur and be more comfortable reacting to emergency situations."

Hosted by Marshall and St. Joseph County Purdue Extensions, workshops will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Marshall County Purdue Extension Office at 112 W Jefferson St. Room 304.

There is a registration fee of $50 per person before Feb. 20, but this location will have the first 15 participants’ fees sponsored by the Marshall County Farm Bureau.

The fee increases to $60 per person after Feb. 20.

Organizers say participants should plan to attend all sessions. A virtual option is available for those unable to attend a workshop site, although in-person attendance is highly encouraged to better network with other attendees and interact with speakers.

The virtual registration fee is $75 before Feb. 20 and $80 after Feb. 20.

Registration may be completed on the Nebraska Women in Agriculture website, https://wia.unl.edu/prep.

For more information contact Brieanna Slonaker, Ag and Natural Resource Educator, at 574-935-8545 or [email protected] or Emily Evers, Ag and Natural Resource Educator, at 269 467-5511 or [email protected].