FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE New Online Resource Empowers Journalists to Help Save Lives on the Farm
Iowa City, IA — November 12, 2025
Farmers face some of the most dangerous working conditions in the country—and journalists have the power to help change that.
The Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health (GPCAH) has launched a new online resource page designed specifically for journalists who report on agricultural injuries, hazards, and safety solutions. This tool equips media professionals with the data, terminology, and expert contacts they need to tell stories that not only inform—but prevent future tragedies.
“Every story about a farm injury is an opportunity to save a life,” said Renée Anthony, PhD, Director at GPCAH. “When journalists report with clarity and context, they help farmers recognize risks and adopt safer practices. That’s why we created this resource—to support accurate, prevention-focused reporting.”
The resource was designed to answer common questions journalists face, such as where to find current data on farm injuries, and to offer guidance on terminology that helps craft compelling stories while promoting safer farming practices.
The journalist resource page includes:
• Recent injury trends and data from Iowa and national sources
• Guidance on navigating Bureau of Labor Statistics databases
• Terminology tips to improve clarity and impact (e.g., “incident” vs. “accident”)
• One-pagers on equipment hazards and safety practices
• FarmSafe Podcast episodes and expert commentary on safety storytelling
• Contact information for technical experts and story support
The resource also encourages journalists to use language that empowers change. For example, replacing “tractor accident” with “tractor rollover resulting in serious injury” helps readers visualize the hazard and consider how it might apply to their own farm. Similarly, using “fatally injured” instead of “killed” shifts the focus to the event and its preventability.
“Farmers trust journalists to tell their stories. Now we’re asking the media to help build a culture of safety, one headline at a time,” said Anthony.
Visit the journalist resource page at gpcah.public-health.uiowa.edu/journalist-resources. Explore tools that support impactful, prevention-focused reporting and help protect one of America’s most vital resources: our farmers.
Media Contact: Jenn Patterson, GPCAH Research Coordinator, Jennifer-j-patterson@uiowa.edu GPCAH.org