The National Weather Service predicts likely above normal temperatures and near normal to leaning above normal precipitation for April 8-14. The outlook for the month of April is normal to leaning above normal for temperature and leaning to likely above normal for precipitation. The Michigan State University Enviroweather station in Deerfield recorded the soil temperature at the 2-inch level was 53.7 degrees Fahrenheit on March 31, 44.1 degrees on March 30, 37.8 degrees on March 29 and 36.5 degrees on March 28.
Farmers working safely is important now that April and spring weather are here. At a March 13 class, Jennifer Clark Denson of the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration listed the 10 most common hazards to farmers. Listed in order, these include tractor rollovers, machinery entanglement, grain bin engulfment, confined spaces and an inability for self-rescue, chemical and pesticide exposure, respiratory hazards, heat stress, livestock handling, falls from heights, and electrical hazards. There is always a tripping hazard with extension cords left out and now is a good time to check fire extinguishers and first aid kits before they are needed.
Earth Day is Wednesday, April 22, and this year’s theme is “Our Power, Our Planet” which means imperfect, collective action creates real environmental progress. Most farmers realize the environment is an important part of agriculture, as what is good for one thing is good for the other. And most farmers tend to live where they work, right on the farm! Earth Day 2026 highlights how community action worldwide supports environmental protections. Monroe County will celebrate Earth Day on Saturday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Monroe County Community College. First recognized in 1970, Earth Day serves as a reminder of everyone’s responsibility to safeguard the environment, the land, water, soil and air. Some easy things that everyone can do include reducing the use of single-use containers (particularly plastic), recycling many items through the Monroe County Health Department and reusing items.
Dr. David Roberts, also known as the plant doctor and the tree doctor, will be giving a presentation at the Monroe County Community College’s Whitman Center on April 9 from 6:45 to 8:15 p.m. Dr. Dave will share highlights of helping people and their trees in distress, including oak wilt, Dutch elm disease, pine decline, European pear rust, beech bark disease, arborvitae decline, herbicide injury and many more. The cost of participating, through Monroe County Community College’s Office of Lifelong Learning, is $35. Dr. Roberts retired from MSU after more than 40 years but continues his passion for trees and landscapes through The Plant Doctor, LLC.
This article originally appeared on Farmers Advance: Spring into safety: The 10 most common farm dangers
Reporting by Ned Birkey, Farmers’ Advance / Farmers Advance
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
