Contacts:
Kelly Loftus, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, 802-828-3829

Friday, June 24, 2011

Richmond, VT - The Conant family prides themselves on their safety record. This year, they were recognized by Governor Shumlin with the 2011 Governor’s Award for Outstanding Workplace Safety. The Conant’s have been involved with the Vermont Farm Safety program since its inception in 2004, but according to Deb Conant, the farm’s safety manager, safety on their farm has always been a top priority in their business.

The Riverside Farm is a beautiful seventh generation dairy farm. Purchased in 1854 by Samuel Conant, the farm currently has over 1000 acres and over 600 animals. The farm is a proud member of Agri-Mark Cooperative and supplies milk for Cabot Creamery Cooperative. In addition to farm safety practices, the Conant’s have implemented many practices to protect the waters of the state and have developed a comprehensive management plan for the farm.

The Governor's Award for Outstanding Workplace Safety is sponsored by the Vermont Department of Labor, the Vermont Safety & Health Council, and the Vermont Small Business Development Center.

A commitment to workplace safety not only protects employees, but allows the business community to reap the benefits of reduced costs. Typically companies that maintain a safe workplace experience lower costs for workers’ compensation and medical issues, increased productivity and employee morale, and the ability to market their business more successfully in the global market.

“Vermont businesses that provide safe workplaces for their employees should be recognized for their successful safety policies,” said Governor Shumlin.

In 2004 Louise Waterman with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, and George Cook with UVM Extension, conducted safety audits on ten dairy farms, provided a farm safety employee training, and assisted the farms in writing a farm safety plan. This initial legwork and research by Waterman and Cook provided the foundation for the Vermont Farm Safety Pilot Program that was launched in 2007 and funded by the Northeast Center for Agricultural Health. The success of the program in part is a direct result of the partnership between the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, the Vermont Department of Labor and UVM Extension to implement the program.

“Farm safety is a key to running a successful farm business and I would like to congratulate the Conant family for making this a priority. The partnership developed to address farm safety between the agency of agriculture, UVM Extension and the Department of Labor has truly been a success for Vermont farm businesses,” said Chuck Ross, Secretary of Vermont Agriculture.

“We recognize that active employee participation is a key to continued awareness and safety within our operation,” commented Deb Conant. “Safety awareness isn’t just addressed at scheduled meetings, though. It is also addressed ‘on the fly’ on a daily basis as well. The fact that we have never filed a workers’ comp claim speaks for itself.”