The History of Our Center

Tractor donated to the Fire Service InstituteIn 1991, Carle Foundation Hospital recognized the need to provide education on agricultural safety and health. This came after the devastating loss of Clifford and Dean Roberts, a father and son who lost their lives in separate farming accidents. The Roberts Family, in conjunction with Bernice and Zelma Holl, established the Roberts Memorial Fund to help support the Center.

The Center was established with three primary aims:

  1. To promote agricultural safety and health among the agricultural population.
  2. To provide in-service training and serve as a technical resource for rural health care and rescue professionals in the Carle service area.
  3. To be engaged in applied agricultural safety and health research.

1999 saw the completion of the Forum at Carle Hospital, a major new addition which included both an office for the Center and the Roberts Memorial Library. In 2005, the Center was placed under Regional Outreach Services.

In 2007 the Center became part of the Carle Foundation Advertising and Marketing Communications Department and is now located at 701 W. University Avenue.  Our current focus is on community outreach and education through programs such as Progressive Ag Safety Days®, School Assemblies, CPR, and Farm Family Emergency Response classes for the general public. The Center also plays an important role in preparing pre-hospital and emergency medicine providers to respond quickly and effectively to farming incidents and illnesses.

In 2008, land donated by Bernice and Zelma Holl to The Carle Development Foundation in memory of Clifford and Dean Roberts was sold.  The funds from the sale were earmarked for rural health and farm safety efforts. Among many initiatives, a tractor was purchased for use in extrication training. The tractor and a field cultivator were recently donated to the Illinois Fire Service Institute.

Today the Center continues to add to its programs, reaching thousands of people each year while still maintaining the philosophy of providing a healthier outlook for the Illinois countryside.