Planning helps farmers get ready to ‘Go’

Last year, while attending a county fair, I remember walking through the buildings along the fairground and thought “It smells strongly of campfire.” While meandering around, I put together it wasn’t a local campfire. It was instead coming from up north, with the smell of burning carried on air currents. This prompted me to think what livestock producers should do to prepare for natural emergencies. In Minnesota, we get it all. Producers should have emergency plans in place for tornadoes, floods, severe snowstorms and fires.

Some farms have a “Go Binder” — a binder easily accessible in the farm office. The best ones are clearly labeled and organized with tabs to minimize fumbling during chaotic situations. Physical documents are the gold standard, but there is value in having electronic documents. These documents can be easily stored on a shared platform for all members of the operation to access and update via smartphone to keep the emergency plan relevant.

A good place to begin building your farm’s “Go Binder” is building a complete map of your farm. This should include roads, lanes and driveways. To assist responding emergency personnel, include all fences and gates, locations of all livestock, locations of all hazardous substances and locations of shut-offs for electricity, water and other utilities.

“Go Binders” should also include the important phone numbers up front and center — including the veterinarian, county emergency management, insurance agent and Extension educator. Additional numbers to include are all the businesses which supply services to or for your farm. If appropriate, include your milk processor, feed and fuel delivery, and anyone else who is on the farm regularly and should be alerted after something happens on the farm.

When creating your “Go Binder” with your farm team, take some time to review the farm’s current insurance coverage and emergency supplies stored on-farm. This is an opportunity to touch base with your insurance agent, so you know your farm’s coverage during emergencies.

Are emergency supplies in a consolidated location everyone on the farm team knows about? Are generators functional and fire extinguishers up to date? Keep in mind this internal audit is a great time to check buildings for any structural compromises or loose material.

It is encouraged to have a written plan of spaces to use in an emergency for livestock and equipment relocation.

The utilization of the plan your farm generated comes down to selecting between two scenarios: one for shelter in place and one for evacuation. For evacuation plans, reference the map you have created.

What is the best escape route for animals to a safe space? What doors or gates need to be opened and what needs to happen if the route is blocked? Remember, writing down the evacuation plan puts everyone on the same page rather than relying on assumptions. Finally, make a plan for your people. Write down where they should take shelter and where they should evacuate to.

Your “Go Binder” is a tool. Like any tool, it is most helpful when it is maintained and used rather than collecting dust on the bottom shelf. By taking the time to build an accurate map, placing the “Go Binder” in a physically and technologically accessible place, as well as stating what needs to happen in emergencies farm teams can effectively hope for the best and make plans for the worst.

This article was submitted by Dana Adams, University of Minnesota Extension. v