Farm Strong Nebraska – Northeast Nebraska Public Health Department

Farm Strong Nebraska works to create safer farms and healthier communities.

Strong Farms. Strong Families. Strong Communities.

Agriculture is more than a job—it’s a way of life. Farm Strong Nebraska is an initiative of the Northeast Nebraska Public Health Department dedicated to helping farmers, ranchers, agricultural workers, and their families stay safe, healthy, and resilient.

Our mission is to reduce farm-related injuries and illnesses through education, partnerships, and community outreach while promoting physical and mental well-being across Northeast Nebraska.

We proudly serve the communities of Cedar, Dixon, Thurston, and Wayne Counties by providing free educational programs, safety resources, and family-friendly events.

Our Mission

Farm Strong Nebraska works to create safer farms and healthier communities by:

Promoting safe work practices on farms and ranches.
Preventing injuries and illnesses through education.
Supporting the mental health of farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers.
Connecting families with trusted local resources.
Building partnerships that strengthen agricultural communities.

What We Offer

Our program provides free education and outreach on a variety of agricultural health and safety topics, including:

Farm Safety

Tractor and machinery safety
Grain bin and confined space safety
ATV and UTV safety
Livestock handling safety
Fall prevention
Fire prevention
Emergency preparedness

Health & Wellness

Heat illness prevention
Sun safety and skin cancer prevention (Click here to schedule an appointment for a Face Analysis scan)
Hydration and nutrition
Hearing protection
Pesticide and chemical safety

Mental Health

Managing farm stress
Suicide prevention awareness
Recognizing signs of burnout
Building resilience
Connecting to local and online mental health resources

Upcoming Events

Farm Strong Nebraska participates in community events, county fairs, schools, agricultural expos, and local organizations throughout the year.

Watch for us at:

Farm Safety Nights
County Fairs
Community Festivals
School Program
Agricultural Conferences
Health Fairs
Equipment Demonstrations
Safety Training Events

Check back often as new events are added throughout the year.

Check out these Agrisafe Events

Monthly Mental Health Innovations Exchange – AgriStress Response Network
August 5, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM CDT
NFSHW26: Pathways to Progress: Safer Routes, Stronger Communities
September 21, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT
NFSHW26: These Shared Roads: Using Stories in Rural Roadway Safety Education
September 21, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM CDT
NFSHW26: CALM Conversations on Access to Lethal Means
September 22, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM CDT
NFSHW26: Noise in Agriculture: An Overlooked Occupational Hazard
September 22, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM CDT
NFSHW26: The Cost of Fatigue in Agriculture: Practical Solutions to Protect Workers and Increase Productivity
September 22, 2026 | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM CDT
NFSHW26: Telling the Story: Using Personal Experiences to Strengthen Farm Safety and Well-Being
September 23, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT
NFSHW26: Practical Solutions for Burnout in Farm Families: Supporting Women Farmers, the Sandwich Generation, and Grandparents Raising Children
September 23, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM CDT
NFSHW26: Confined Space Safety in Agriculture
September 24, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT
NFSHW26: Increasing Awareness for Confined Space Safety
September 24, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM CDT
NFSHW26: More than FEMA: Building True Rural Disaster Resilience
September 24, 2026 | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM CDT
NFSHW26: Boots, Bales, Biopsies: Women’s Health on the Farm
September 25, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT

For more information on Agrisafe Events click here

Request a Farm Safety Presentation

Looking for an engaging speaker or educational program?

Farm Strong Nebraska offers free presentations for:

Schools
FFA Chapters
4-H Clubs
Farm Families
Agribusinesses
Cooperatives
Community
Organizations
Emergency Responders
Youth Groups
Employee Safety Meetings

Presentation topics can be customized to fit your audience and may include interactive demonstrations, educational materials, and practical safety tips.

To schedule a presentation, contact the Northeast Nebraska Public Health Department.

Resources

We believe education saves lives.

Farm Safety

Equipment safety checklists
Tractor safety tips
Livestock safety information
Emergency planning guides

Health & Wellness

Heat illness prevention
Sun safety resources
Hydration tips
First aid information

Mental Health

Stress management tools
Mental wellness resources
Suicide prevention information
Support services for agricultural families

Mental Health Support

Farming comes with unique challenges.

Long hours, unpredictable weather, financial pressures, market changes, and caring for livestock can create significant stress.

Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your equipment.

Farm Strong Nebraska encourages everyone to:

Check in on family, friends, and neighbors.
Talk openly about stress and mental health.
Reach out for support when needed.
Knowing that asking for help is a sign of strength.

You are not alone.

If you or someone you know needs support, we can connect you with trusted local and online resources.

Farm Safety Tips

Wear your seatbelt on every tractor equipped with a rollover protective structure (ROPS).
Shut off equipment before making repairs.
Stay visible by wearing bright or reflective clothing.
Keep children away from operating equipment.
Wear sunscreen, protective clothing, and drink plenty of water.
Read pesticide labels carefully and wear recommended protective equipment.
Have a stocked first aid kit available in every tractor, truck, and workshop.
Know your emergency plan and keep emergency contact numbers nearby.

Our Community Partners

Farm Strong Nebraska works alongside local organizations to strengthen agricultural safety across Northeast Nebraska.

Partnerships help us bring education, resources, and hands-on learning opportunities to our communities.

We welcome opportunities to collaborate with:

Schools
FFA Programs
4-H Clubs
Extension Offices
Emergency Services
Hospitals
Agribusinesses
Commodity Organizations
Local Businesses
Community Groups

Together, we can create safer farms and healthier communities.

Email Hailie for partnership inquiries

Meet the Farm Strong Nebraska Team

Farm Strong Nebraska is led by Hailie Brentlinger, Services Coordinator at the Northeast Nebraska Public Health Department.

Hailie is passionate about supporting farmers, ranchers, agricultural workers, and their families by promoting health, safety, and well-being across Northeast Nebraska. Through Farm Strong Nebraska, she coordinates educational programs, community outreach, safety events, and partnerships that help prevent injuries and strengthen agricultural communities.

Whether she’s visiting a farm, presenting at a school, or connecting with community partners, Hailie’s goal is to provide practical resources that help keep Nebraska agriculture safe and strong.

Strong Farms. Strong Families. Strong Communities.

Get Involved

Interested in partnering with Farm Strong Nebraska?

You can:

Request a presentation
Invite us to your community event
Partner on an agricultural safety project
Volunteer at outreach events
Share farm safety information with your organization

Together, we can make a lasting impact on the health and safety of our agricultural communities.

Contact Us

Have questions or want to partner with Farm Strong Nebraska? I’d love to hear from you!

Hailie Brentlinger
Services Coordinator
Northeast Nebraska Public Health Department

Phone: 531-519-6389
Email: hailie@nnphd.ne.gov

Whether you’re interested in scheduling a farm safety presentation, partnering on a community event, or learning more about agricultural health and safety, feel free to reach out. Together, we can help build safer farms, stronger families, and healthier communities across Northeast Nebraska.