Powering farm safety through partnership and practice

For Peggy Good, safety in agriculture isn’t just a priority; it’s a way of life. 

For over three decades, the farmer and rancher has been championing safety in agricultural communities across Alberta. From hands-on training to youth education, she’s made it her mission to keep safety top of mind for every generation. 

“It’s a foundational part of my work; some call me ‘Cautious Peggy’,” she jokes. 

Good credits FortisAlberta as a key partner in spreading the word. As a customer she sees firsthand how FortisAlberta supports rural operations like hers: not just by keeping the power on, but by promoting safety initiatives across the province. 

“We need dedicated partners like FortisAlberta,” she says. 

“They’re one of our go-to sponsors that recognize the importance and help relay our message. Sponsorships and donations keep those critical messages front-and-centre in our communities.” 

Born and raised on a Didsbury area farm, Good’s passion for ag safety began in the 1990s on Alberta’s first provincial farm health and safety board. Though the group was short-lived, it sparked a lasting commitment. 

Since then, she’s helped organize farm safety camps, partnered with schools and Olds College, and guided Mountain View County’s annual farm safety poster contest for kids. 

“The topic has evolved,” she says. “Twenty-five, thirty years ago, farm safety was difficult to talk about. Now, it’s a discussion on many farms. It’s becoming part of the culture.” 

A safety-first mindset means making it a regular practice and not just a seasonal checklist, Good says. “I encourage regular check-ins with family and staff, even if it’s just over coffee.” It’s a principle she and her husband, Merle, bring to life on their own operation. 

They make a point of doing seasonal “walkabouts” with their family: touring the site to identify hazards and reinforce awareness of equipment, electrical infrastructure and emergency procedures. From overhead power lines near an older shop to underground cables feeding newer buildings, it’s all reviewed with intention. 

As they tend to their cattle and hayfields just south of Cremona, the Goods count on a reliable FortisAlberta power supply to keep their animals watered, barns heated and machinery running. 

“When I get up in the morning and the electricity is working, my mental health is good,” Peggy Good laughs. “It’s just part of our day-to-day life.” 

She’s also grateful for FortisAlberta’s responsive service. 

“The 310-WIRE service is great. When there’s an impact to power, or I need help with a solution, I can get in contact right away,” she explains. 

“I can plan my day. That kind of service really matters when you’re running a farm.” 

Now, with her daughter, Annessa, and son-in-law, Brett, joining the family operation, Good remains as committed as ever to sharing what she’s learned. 

“We need to work as a community, as a family, as a farm, as a ranch,” she says. 

“We all know safety is important, but it’s all about taking that next step to relay it, make it valued and plan how to put it in practice.”