In the rural communities of this commonwealth, the name Penn State Extension, part of Penn State University's College of Agricultural Sciences, often brings to mind farming and the educational network's associated programs, such as 4-H, Master Gardeners, sustainable agriculture, pest management and even teaching the proper methods for home canning.

Guest Views, written by John Berry, agricultural marketing educator for the Lehigh County Extension office in South Whitehall, have often graced the opinion pages of The Press weekly newspapers.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, state and county governments, Penn State Extension educators and volunteers work to improve and strengthen the lives of residents in local communities.

Along with the focus on agriculture, Penn State's Agricultural Safety and Health team has developed a Managing Agricultural Emergencies program to train fire, rescue and EMS personnel on how to deal with the many hazards associated with farming.

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, tractor accidents claim 125 lives a year in the United States.

Researchers at Purdue University, Indiana, say more than 900 cases of grain entrapment were reported in the last 50 years, resulting in a fatality rate of 62 percent.

In 2010, at least 26 American farm workers were killed in grain entrapments. This is the highest number on record, according to the university's researchers.

This past weekend, Dave Hill, director of Penn State's Managing Agricultural Emergencies program, brought Penn State's Farm Confined Space Rescue Simulator trailer to the Kempton Fire Company.

There and at two local farms and Albright's Mill, volunteer firefighters from various local fire companies in Lehigh and Berks counties spent two full days learning and practicing their skills at rescuing a farm worker entrapped in a grain bin.

These volunteers, who often have to leave their homes and families on holidays and in the most inclement weather to help others, deserve more than just kudos for their dedication.

And, Penn State Extension deserves a big thumbs-up for its efforts at ensuring safe and healthy communities across the commonwealth.

Deb Palmierieditor

Parkland Press

Northwestern Press