FLY CREEK - The Center for Disease Control says farming is among the nation's most dangerous industries. Wednesday, high ranking state officials visit Fly Creek to learn of new programs focused on farm safety.

The New York State Center for Agriculture Medicine and Health, is concerned with fatal injuries that happen at farms each year. Their doctors showed state health and agriculture officials what they are doing to improve safety at local farms.

Dr. John May showed Ag and Markets Commissioner Pat Hooker and State Health Commissioner Richard Daines modified farming equipment designed to prevent injuries.

Center officials say there are several new programs it's working on to improve farming ergonomics. Tractors are among the biggest dangers on a farm which is why the center increased funding in a program that helps farmers pay for roll bars.

"Tractors have a particularly high center of gravity," May said. "They tend to overturn...the fact that the farmer can be crushed with that. That can be prevented by a roll-bar on a tractor, but less than half of the tractors in New York State have a roll bar."

This is a time of the year when farmers are beginning to plow fields in preparation for the planting and growing season. Agriculture Commissioner Pat Hooker says helping farmers increase production is his goal, and making them safer is a key element in that equation.