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Adams and Knapp Receive 2002 Hall of Fame Award

Congratulations to Marilyn Adams and Dr. L. W. (Pete) Knapp for being the first two individuals chosen to receive the Agricultural Safety and Health Hall of Fame Award.

Governor Tom Vilsack signing proclamation The judges were unanimous in their selection based on substantial and long-term contribution and dedication to the agricultural safety and health community. Through their efforts these individuals have brought about changes in the agricultural industry and to the mind-set of rural America. They have focused national and international attention on the issue of agricultural safety and made these injuries and deaths unacceptable.

The purpose of the award is to give recognition to individuals or organizations who have made a significant contribution to agricultural safety and health. There is no one more deserving, so it is with great pleasure that we recognize the work of these two individuals.

A ceremony was held on September 7, 2002 at the Clay County Fair to honor Marilyn and Pete. Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack presented the awards and signed a proclamation declaring the week of September 15-21, 2002 as Farm Safety and Health Week.

Marilyn Adams photoMarilyn Adams
Marilyn Adams founded Farm Safety 4 Just Kids in 1987, a year after her 11-year-old son suffocated in a gravity flow wagon of shelled corn. This internationally recognized organization with a mission to prevent health hazards, injuries, and fatalities to children and youth in farm environments has grown from a one-woman campaign to more than 100 chapters and over 3,000 members.

Marilyn has testified before Congress regarding children's farm safety issues and advised the media and numerous organizations, including the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH) Deep South Center in Florida, the National Safety Council, Iowa Farm Safety Council, National Farm-City Council, and the Sharing Help Awareness Network (SHAUN).

Along with her recognition in the I-CASH Hall of Fame, Marilyn has received other honors for her work in children's farm safety and health, among them:

  • The Register's Iowa Farm Leader of the Year (from the Des Moines Register)
  • Agriculture's 25 Most Influential People of 1998 (Farmer's Digest)
  • 1998 Woman of the Year in Service to Agriculture (Progressive Farmer), presented by Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman
  • Turning the Century Farmer (Progressive Farmer)

Marilyn has written a book about her experience, entitled Rhythm of the Seasons: A Journey Beyond Loss, and gives readings and lectures around the country. "I passionately accept the challenge to promote a safe farm environment for children and youth," she says, "and I look forward to protecting the future of farming by speaking on their behalf."


Pete Knapp photoDr. L.W. (Pete) Knapp
Professor Emeritus, The University of Iowa. Knapp has dedicated his life to the field of agricultural safety, both nationally and internationally. In 1959, he joined the Institute for Agricultural Medicine, then a relatively new organization at the UI. He served as principal investigator of the Kellogg Foundation grant to develop the institute, which is now known as the Institute for Rural and Environmental Health.

Throughout his career, Knapp focused on the identification and prevention of injuries and illnesses related to agriculture, and worked on the design and redesign of farm machinery to prevent accidents. His accomplishment include identifying a mechanical defect in a corn picker, resulting in the recall and correction of the machine by the manufacturer, and redesigning the power take-off shaft, which now is used by most manufacturers to prevent hundreds of serious injuries and deaths. Knapp also has developed theories and applications of the man–machine–environment approach to in-depth injury investigations.

Publications include:

Donham KJ. Knapp LW. Monson R. Gustafson K. Acute toxic exposure to gases from liquid manure. Journal of Occupational Medicine. 24(2):142-5, 1982 Feb.

Helmers S. Top FH Sr. Knapp LW Jr. Ammonia injuries in agriculture. Journal of the Iowa Medical Society. 61(5):271-80, 1971 May.

Knapp LW Jr. McConnell WH Jr. Top FH. Power-mower injuries. Journal of the Iowa Medical Society. 59(6):500-1, 1969 Jun.

Knapp LW Jr, Franklin H. Top FH. Trauma associated with tractor overturn. Occupational Health. 19: 129-131, 1967.

Knapp LW Jr. Occupational and rural accidents. Archives of Environmental Health. 13(4):501-6, 1966 Oct.

Knapp LW Jr. Agricultural injury prevention. Journal of Occupational Medicine. 7(11):545-53, 1965 Nov.

Knapp LW JR. Research methodology and potential in farm accidents. Ann NY Acad Science. 107: 664-9, 1963.

Knapp, LW. Epidemiological aspect of tractor accidents. Transactions of the ASAE. 4(2): 229-30, 1961.