Putting safety at the center

Agriculture helps feed and fuel the world, but it remains one of the most hazardous industries. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, farming, fishing and forestry workers had a fatal injury rate of about 25.4 deaths per 100,000 workers in 2024—nearly 13 times higher than the average for all occupations. Many of these incidents involve transportation and equipment, including tractor overturns, roadway crashes and machinery accidents.

At MFA, safety is more than a priority—it’s a shared responsibility. Through its behavior-based safety program, SHIELD: Safe Habits Improve Employees’ Lives Daily, employees across the organization are encouraged to actively talk about safe practices and look out for one another. Those conversations happen everywhere, from corporate offices to feed mills, fertilizer plants and trucks on the road. Last year alone, MFA team members recorded more than 9,000 safety conversations, reinforcing the company’s commitment to putting safety at the center. That commitment extends beyond the workplace and into the next generation.

Each year, MFA’s Farm Safety Poster Contest invites children and grandchildren of MFA employees and affiliates in kindergarten through sixth grade to create posters illustrating safe habits in agriculture. The contest encourages young artists to think about the everyday risks on farms and share creative ideas that help prevent accidents and protect families. The 2026 posters featured everything from equipment awareness and protective gear to staying alert around livestock and roadways—each offering a colorful reminder that safety matters.

Entries were displayed on the company’s intranet, myMFA, where employees voted for their favorite poster. We’re proud to feature this year’s top entries here.

Best of Show

K-1 First Place



Grades 2-3 First Place

Grades 4-6 First Place

View original story as printed HERE.