Tens of thousands of Iowans are pushing to harvest huge quantities of food, feed, and energy in a short time. As we thank them for hard work and dedication this is also a key time to focus on farm safety and health. Time pressure, workloads, equipment breakdowns, weather, and stresses all add up. Life-altering and fatal injuries can happen in an instant.

Farm families and workers face many risks and hazards throughout the year in producing both crops and livestock. Just a few of the dangers include tractor rollovers, powerful, fast-moving machinery, electricity, grain bins, livestock, slips and falls, skin cancer, ATVs, and roadway collisions. Unique stresses and demands in farming can also create special needs for behavioral and mental health assistance.

Agriculture's human resources must be treasured, conserved, and protected no less than land, water, and natural resources. Farm safety and health have improved over the years, but the plain truth is that people in agriculture still suffer excessively, and unnecessarily, from injuries, illnesses, and death. We have to do more to heighten awareness, resolve, and action to prevent such losses. That is why I strongly support this year's national farm safety and health theme: "Safety Counts: Protecting What Matters."

Through increased attention and effort, farm families and workers have made significant progress in agricultural safety and health. Much credit also goes to the work and contributions of many people in agricultural businesses, private non-profit organizations, as well as educational and research institutions. All of this effort enhances safety and wellness on our nation's farms and ranches. Safe farming practices save lives. I am very proud of my work during my years in Congress to support and dedicate increased federal funding to farm safety and health.

Upon becoming chairman of the U.S. Senate subcommittee that funds health programs, I provided added funds to create a new, concentrated federal focus on agricultural safety and health at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. A big, early step in my initiative was the landmark 1991 Surgeon General's conference on agricultural safety and health held in Des Moines. Over the years, I have continued funding for this purpose, particularly to our nation's agricultural safety and health centers, such as the Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health at the University of Iowa and the National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety. My appropriations subcommittee also supplies ongoing funding for agricultural safety grants through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

The U.S. Department of Agriculture also supports farm safety and health initiatives, especially for young people in agriculture, which I have proudly supported as a longstanding member of the Senate appropriations and agriculture committees. My support includes funding specifically for the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) at the Northeast Iowa Community College in Peosta, Farm Safety 4 Just Kids in Urbandale, and AgrAbility, which helps agricultural producers and workers having a wide range of physical or behavioral conditions.

Please be especially careful out there this fall and throughout the year. Safety on and around Iowa's farms requires extra care on everyone's part - including motorists and the general public. Fortunately, a lot of good people and organizations are working successfully to help make farms not only wonderful places to live and work, but also safer and healthier. I am proud to support these efforts and wish everyone a safe harvest!

For additional information on farm safety:

Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America (ASHCA): http://www.ashca.org/; International Society for Agricultural Safety and Health (ISASH): http://isash.org/;

'Tis the season for haunted houses and most are open every weekend in October. Check out our online calendar for hours and costs.

Spooky Book Signing

All of us at Operation Gratitude are gearing up for the busiest season of the year! Between now and the end of 2014, we will ship more than 40,000 packages to our Deployed Troops, New Recruits, Military Families and Veterans.

Here are three ways for you to get involved--from anywhere in the country:

ONE:  Participate in our #SayThanks Campaign and Send a Picture Directly to our Troops Would you like to send a picture and a message of thanks to our nation's Service Members, Veterans and Military Families?

Now is your chance to capture your gratitude in a photo. Your visual message of heartfelt thanks will remind our heroes and their families that they are always remembered and appreciated.

Click here today to submit your picture and we will share it online and send it in a Care Package on November 8th.

TWO:  Send your Deployed Loved One a Care Package Filled with Goodies and Appreciation

Each month, hundreds of volunteers take part in our Assembly Days where they produce thousands of packages for our Military.

Do you have a loved one, friend or colleague serving overseas?

Click here to send them an Operation Gratitude Care Package filled with nearly 50 assorted snacks, entertainment and hand-made items, personal care products, and letters of love and respect.

THREE:  Make a Donation to Send Packages to our Troops

We get pictures and notes from the Troops that receive our packages every day:

"A care package like that can change our outlook on the entire day."

"Getting something in the mail really lifts spirits."

"It really helps to know that we are loved..."

You can help us keep our mission alive by making a donation of $15 to send a care package overseas, $30 to send two or $180 to send one every month for the next year.

Our Troops need to know that we remember them and appreciate them for the sacrifices they make each day.

Now is the Time

The holidays are especially hard on our Service Members because they are so far away from home and loved ones. Now is the time to show we care.

Thank you for your enthusiastic support!