Working Together to Protect What Matters Most
Sep 19, 2025
By Tiffany Harmon, Safety Director
Each September, during the heart of fall harvest, farm safety takes center stage. First proclaimed in 1944, National Farm Safety and Health Week is a reminder that the most important part of agriculture isn’t the equipment, the land, or even the harvest—it’s people. This week highlights the need for awareness, education, and conversation around farm and rural safety, with the ultimate goal of preventing injuries and protecting the health and wellbeing of agricultural communities. At GCC, this focus on safety is central to who we are and how we operate.
When members visit our facilities, one of the first things they see is a sign that reads, “Please Don’t Ask Us to Work Unsafely, We Want to be Here to Serve You Tomorrow.” While simple, the message is powerful. It speaks not only to the responsibility we have to our employees, but also to our members, families, and everyone who comes through our doors. Safety is not one-sided—it is shared, and it ensures that we all get to go home each day to the people who matter most.
Agriculture carries risks and challenges unlike any other profession. For those whose roots run deep in this way of life, the connection is personal. It’s a mix of pride, sacrifice, joy, and hardship that can be difficult for others to understand. That is why safety in agriculture must go beyond equipment and procedures. It also includes taking care of ourselves—physically and mentally—because when we neglect our wellbeing, the likelihood of accidents and injuries only increases.
At GCC, we believe safety isn’t a box to be checked—it’s a mindset. It must be as ingrained as putting on a seat belt. With the full support of our board and leadership team, we have made safety a top priority across our cooperative. This commitment is shown in the way we approach every task, whether it’s through formal training, routine inspections, hazard awareness, or emergency preparedness. Our policies and procedures aren’t just rules on paper; they are the framework that keeps people safe and keeps our operations running smoothly.
As we observe Farm Safety and Health Week this September, we encourage everyone to take time to review safety measures on your own farm, talk with your teams about potential hazards, and make sure the right steps are clear and followed. Preventative actions, good planning, and slowing down to do things the right way are what make the difference. When safety becomes a habit, it becomes second nature—and that is how we protect lives, livelihoods, and the future of farming.
At GCC, safety isn’t seasonal—it’s who we are.
Each September, during the heart of fall harvest, farm safety takes center stage. First proclaimed in 1944, National Farm Safety and Health Week is a reminder that the most important part of agriculture isn’t the equipment, the land, or even the harvest—it’s people. This week highlights the need for awareness, education, and conversation around farm and rural safety, with the ultimate goal of preventing injuries and protecting the health and wellbeing of agricultural communities. At GCC, this focus on safety is central to who we are and how we operate.
When members visit our facilities, one of the first things they see is a sign that reads, “Please Don’t Ask Us to Work Unsafely, We Want to be Here to Serve You Tomorrow.” While simple, the message is powerful. It speaks not only to the responsibility we have to our employees, but also to our members, families, and everyone who comes through our doors. Safety is not one-sided—it is shared, and it ensures that we all get to go home each day to the people who matter most.
Agriculture carries risks and challenges unlike any other profession. For those whose roots run deep in this way of life, the connection is personal. It’s a mix of pride, sacrifice, joy, and hardship that can be difficult for others to understand. That is why safety in agriculture must go beyond equipment and procedures. It also includes taking care of ourselves—physically and mentally—because when we neglect our wellbeing, the likelihood of accidents and injuries only increases.
At GCC, we believe safety isn’t a box to be checked—it’s a mindset. It must be as ingrained as putting on a seat belt. With the full support of our board and leadership team, we have made safety a top priority across our cooperative. This commitment is shown in the way we approach every task, whether it’s through formal training, routine inspections, hazard awareness, or emergency preparedness. Our policies and procedures aren’t just rules on paper; they are the framework that keeps people safe and keeps our operations running smoothly.
As we observe Farm Safety and Health Week this September, we encourage everyone to take time to review safety measures on your own farm, talk with your teams about potential hazards, and make sure the right steps are clear and followed. Preventative actions, good planning, and slowing down to do things the right way are what make the difference. When safety becomes a habit, it becomes second nature—and that is how we protect lives, livelihoods, and the future of farming.
At GCC, safety isn’t seasonal—it’s who we are.