By Andi Anderson
Ohio farmers are preparing for a high-risk harvest season as dry conditions raise the threat of field and equipment fires. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, more than 96 percent of Ohio is abnormally dry, with nearly half the state already in moderate drought. These conditions increase the chance of crop and machinery fires that can quickly spread across rural communities.
To help farmers stay safe, the 2025 Farm Science Review will focus on fire prevention and emergency planning. The event runs September 16–18 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London, Ohio. Organized by The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) and OSU Extension, it offers hands-on demonstrations and practical training.
“Fire safety on farms is critically important because farms present unique fire risks, and the consequences of a fire can be devastating — not just to the farm, but to the entire rural community,” said Dee Jepsen, state safety leader for OSU Extension. “Farm Science Review is a place we can reach farmers, the rural community and the volunteer firefighter community. Many farmers also serve on local fire departments.”
Ohio faces another challenge: a shortage of volunteer firefighters. About 70 percent of the state’s 1,200 fire departments rely on volunteers, a workforce that has declined even as emergency calls rise. Strengthening cooperation between farmers and fire departments is a key goal of the event.
Visitors can attend daily fire extinguisher demonstrations and a special session on farm-related fires. The Grain C.A.R.T. mobile unit will show how quickly a person can be trapped in grain and how to respond safely. Livestock transport safety will be highlighted through the Bovine Emergency Response Plan, while the Ohio Soybean Association will showcase SoyFoam, a soy-based, PFAS-free firefighting foam that reduces health risks for responders.
Advance tickets cost $10 online or at Extension offices and agribusinesses, with $15 admission at the gate. Children under five enter free. More details, maps, and schedules are available at fsr.osu.edu.
Photo Credit: pexels-islandhopper-x
Categories: Ohio, Business, Crops, Education, Equipment & Machinery, Livestock