During the week of October 14, Shay Myers of Owyhee Produce took to social media via his accounts, @ShayFarmKid on Instagram and the Company’s LinkedIn page to share news of a fire that broke out at the company’s Buck Naked peeling facility. The fire caused substantial damage, affecting two of the facility’s four peeling lines. Despite the challenges, Myers emphasized that thanks to quick action and the diligent work of their team, the company managed to contain the fire and save a significant amount of equipment.
According to Myers, the fire resulted in the complete loss of two peeling lines, while a third line suffered damage. Fortunately, the fourth line remained intact. He credited the company’s safety measures for successfully containing the fire, pointing out that sealing the building played a crucial role in limiting the spread. Myers assured the community that Owyhee Produce has big plans to rebuild the facility over the next few months, and efforts are already underway to repair the damage and resume operations as soon as possible.
In his message, Myers addressed the risks associated with farming, drawing attention to the fact that agriculture remains one of the most dangerous professions in the United States. He shared the following comments to shed light on the ongoing challenges faced by farmers:
By Shay Myers
Farming Is One of The Most Dangerous Jobs In The USA.
“Each year, more people die while farming than while serving as police officers, firefighters, or other emergency responders. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a rate of 23 work-related deaths per 100,000 workers in the agricultural industry. That is seven times higher than the national average for workers. Farming, while a vital profession for feeding the world, is also one of the most dangerous. Farmers face a unique set of hazards that can lead to serious injuries or even fatalities. Among many things, a significant danger for farmers is the risk of fires. Dry conditions, coupled with flammable materials like crops, hay, and equipment, can create a high risk of fires, these fires can spread rapidly, endangering both people and property. The fatality rate among farm workers is significantly higher than that of many other professions.”
OnionBusiness.com extends its heartfelt support to Owyhee Produce and its employees as they work through these difficult circumstances. We applaud their resilience and look forward to following their progress as they rebuild the Buck Naked processing part of their operation and continue their work in the onion industry.
Featured image: collage of photos taken from the video post.
