Building a Culture of Safety in Agriculture: Leadership, Training, and Daily Safety Habits

Safety matters every day, but every once in a while, it’s worth slowing down and really thinking about it.

Last summer, a family in our community experienced a tragic loss. It’s a reminder that we can’t ignore. The kind that sticks with you and makes you think twice about the small decisions you make throughout the day, even the ones you’ve made a thousand times.

That’s why we encourage everyone to take a #MaverickMinute. Just one minute to pause, look around, and make sure you’re doing things the safe way. One minute can make all the difference.

Leaders: You Set the Tone

Safety isn’t just a policy on paper, it’s something you see in action. From leadership to the front lines, it’s on all of us to set the tone. That means following the same rules, taking the same precautions, and showing, every day, that safety comes first.

At Premier, we back that up with training that’s built for the real world. Each division faces different risks, whether it’s agronomy, energy, or retail, so the training reflects the work our teams are doing day-to-day.

Keeping Up with Advanced Technology

Equipment today is bigger and more advanced than ever. That helps us get more done, but it also raises the stakes.

Whether you’re in the field or on the road, it’s critical to stay alert. Narrow rural roads, large equipment, and busy seasons mean there’s less room for error. That’s why ongoing training isn’t optional, it’s part of the job commitment.

Make Safety Fit Every Experience Level

One of the toughest parts about safety in agriculture is just how wide the range is when it comes to experience. On one side, you have folks who have been doing this their whole lives. They are so familiar with the work that it’s easy to overlook the safety basics now and then. On the other hand, you have people who are just getting their boots dirty, still learning the ropes and figuring things out day by day.

At Premier, we’ve learned that good safety training must connect with the entire spectrum of knowledge. We keep it practical, relevant and engaging; covering everything from OSHA standards to day-to-day best practices so it sticks, no matter your background.

Plan Early to Be Prepared When It Counts

In our line of work, we know the pace picks up fast during peak seasons for both agronomy and energy.

The best way to stay safe during those high-pressure times is to prepare for them ahead of time.
At Premier, we offer pre-season training, frequent equipment checks, and site readiness, which helps make sure everyone across agronomy, energy, and retail is prepared, not rushed.

Safety as an Instinct

When you start to realize that safety is more than just a set of rules or regulations you need to follow is when it becomes second nature. Adhering to safety standards and encouraging others to do the same could make all the difference in who comes home at the end of the day It’s about the families we go home to, the coworkers we look out for, and the communities we serve every day.

When you see it that way, safety stops being something you have to think about and becomes something you do without hesitation. The goal is simple: get everyone home in the same condition they came in.

If you have questions about safety, training, or Premier’s approach, please reach out to us.

About the Author, Jerry Boger

Jerry Boger, Director of Environmental Health & Safety at Premier, has spent nearly four decades working across the cooperative, with 28 years focused on safety and risk. Growing up in a co-op family and working across multiple divisions, he brings a practical, real-world perspective to keeping our teams and communities safe.