Section 1. Your Security Plan

• Theft of anhydrous ammonia for methamphetamine production
• Arson, poisoning of your well, or the deliberate opening of a valve on a chemical tank
• Criminal mischief involving unsecured equipment and machinery
• Destruction of confined animals, property, or products
• Destruction of bioengineered plants
• Intentional introduction or release of a contagious animal or plant disease
• General vandalism

The most common crimes on the farm are the theft of fuel and high-dollar items such as tools, computers, safes, fertilizers, tractors, backhoes, and pesticides in packages that can be easily picked up and loaded into a vehicle.

These threats are real and must be addressed by all farmers. A sound, all-hazards security plan includes access control measures, property accountability, insurance coverage, employee awareness and emergency preparedness.

Farm security should be built into your operation's everyday routine. Lock and double-check locks, check lighting, and conduct random security checks of all areas. When was the last time you visited the far end of your property just to see if there is any evidence of unauthorized activity?

Think about and evaluate what needs to be protected, then consider the Three Ls:

1. Lock
   
2. Light
   
3. Limit access
   

The most efficient, effective and adequate security systems are based on what is most at risk and the best protection for the property and premises.

• Many farmers have had crops, animals or other property damaged for no apparent reason. Events that cause damage to livestock, equipment, fences, gates, mailboxes, and/or buildings often defy common sense. Limited access, "No Trespassing" signs, strategic lighting, stepped up patrols, neighborhood watches, and careful placement of equipment left in fields help deter vandals and mischief-makers.

• The jogger, the dog walker, the snowmobiler, and even your next-door neighbor may trample your crops, damage fences, dump contaminated trash or be injured. Can you be held liable in a court of law? Perhaps. In some states, a person cannot be arrested for trespassing unless he or she has been forewarned to stay away, so it is important to post “No Trespassing” signs. A good relationship with neighbors is helpful if you need to restrict access during busy planting, spraying, or harvesting seasons.

• The common criminal is most often motivated by monetary gain but can often be deterred by the risk of getting caught, so take the time to secure your assets. It is important to identify, document, and secure valuable items that might tempt intruders. Keep tabs on your inventory, recording all vehicle identification numbers and license plate numbers. Accurate records make it easy to determine if something is missing, which might otherwise go undetected. Videos, scanned documents, and photographs stored off-site can be extremely important in assessing the value of lost or damaged property. Determine what needs to be insured and secured.

• Extremists are activists who, rather than working through appropriate channels to effect change, resort to criminal acts to attract attention, including trespassing, burning buildings, releasing animals, destroying genetically modified plants or driving steel spikes into trees scheduled for harvest. They tend to work in specific geographical areas and with specific types of facilities. Ask an informed county sheriff or state police officer to find out if your farm is at risk. Place your valuable or vulnerable property in locations where it can be better protected and is less likely to be targeted. Find out if you are insured for damage caused by protesters.

Terrorists have political or idealistic goals and are capable of causing extensive damage to agricultural production and processing facilities. Their goals might include undermining public confidence in the safety and reliability of the nationʼs food supply, wreaking large-scale economic havoc, and generating political instability.

Government officials and university scientists are concerned that terrorists could introduce virulent forms of animal and plant diseases or chemical agents into the American agricultural system.

Threats to the local or municipal drinking water supply and power distribution systems are also of concern.

You can deter terrorists' efforts by using good judgment in conducting your farm operation, by being aware of visitors to your farm, and by scouting for unusual crop or animal disorders.

Vigilance is our best defense.

Point out pesticides and hazardous materials that may be stored on the farm and provide instructions for handling farm equipment such as PTOs. Share your farm map and ask for advice on how to make it more useful to them. Show them the locations of

• Water mains
• Electrical control boxes
• Fuel and chemical supplies
• Emergency mailbox
• Livestock

Since firefighters are often the first to respond to an emergency, encourage them to write an emergency “pre-plan” for your farmstead. Responders who take the tour may offer valuable suggestions for enhancing your farmstead safety and security.

Be sure to ask your fire chief and law enforcement officials to safeguard your critical security information to avoid compromising your assets. Donʼt divulge security details to people who donʼt need the information.