The Farm Emergency Preparedness Seminar Series this spring will teach rural residents how to prepare for emergencies. One of the sessions will be at Bruce Township Hall in Chippewa County Wednesday, April 12, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Two other sessions will be offered in the Upper Peninsula, including one Tuesday, April 11, at the Mass City Superior School of Opportunity in Ontonagon County from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and another one Wednesday, April 12, at the Michigan State University Extension Office of Delta County, at 2840 College Avenue, Escanaba, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The sessions will describe emergencies most likely to occur on farms, and how to manage them. Participants will learn how to be prepared, and to respond to and identify hazards. They will hear the state farm fatality report and the pesticide poisoning and contamination reports and findings.

The industry standards section will include reviewing state mandated emergency response requirements, hazard communication and grain facility standards, pesticide storage regulations, and federal Homeland Security provisions.

Participants will learn to identify hazards, such as spraying pesticides spraying, food contamination and security issues, food safety, and employee safety practices that will also protect food and animal feed.

The program qualifies participants for two private core or two commercial Pesticide Applicator certification credits. The program is free to everyone.

A section will be presented on large equipment and animal incidents, farm equipment transportation such as parking on the road right of way, mixing and loading on or near the road, leaving equipment, product or supplies in the field over night.

Seminar participants will receive a notebook with guidance for understanding emergency preparedness, emergency planning principles, and preparing response plans. The material will also be placed on the Michigan Farm Bureau Web site.

The program is funded by a grant from Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth, and is cosponsored by Michigan Farm Bureau and Michigan State University Extension.

To register, call Chippewa County Farm Bureau Promotion and Education Coordinator Joanne Galloway in Pickford at (906) 647-2140, or Jim Lucas, MSU Extension Director for Chippewa County, at (906) 635-6368.

The Upper Peninsula contact is Warren L. Schauer, extension educator District Farm Management for MSU Extension, at (906) 786-3032 or by E-mail schauer@msu.edu.