Farming is a high-risk business. But many farmers develop tunnel vision when it comes to the shadowy danger zones lurking inside their farm’s perimeter. Larry and Susan Castle are enjoying an expanded safety zone, due to an Operation FarmSafe Grant in 2012. The Imperial, Nebraska, farmers finally were able to bury eight low-hanging, overhead electric power lines on their operation.

“When I would get called out during stormy weather, I’d cringe beneath the lines swaying in the wind,” Susan says. “Our daughters had to walk below them to get to the school bus.”

The Castles have a 100-head cow-calf operation and farm 1,000 acres of corn, dryland corn, and wheat, alfalfa, and cane. They were one of four families who received a $2,500 Operation FarmSafe grant, provided by Nationwide Agribusiness Insurance, for making safety improvements. (See page 47 for details on how to apply for a free safety review of your farm and a $2,500 2013 Operation FarmSafe Grant to make safety improvements and repairs.)