Each year Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers come close to an accident – in the field, in livestock pens, in grain piles. Youth in rural areas are not excluded from this. To help teach youth safe on farms and rural communities, a Progressive Agriculture Safety Day was held in Geneva on May 30, 2013 for area 2-6th grade youth. The program was coordinated by the local WIFE (Women Involved in Farm Economics), Fillmore Central and Shickley FFA Chapters, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in Fillmore County, and several other local businesses and organizations provided funding.
Topics taught included sun safety, fire safety, internet safety, teamwork/leadership, chemical look-alikes, kids get arthritis too, grain safety, underground utility safety, tractor safety, and agricultural awareness. Nearly 50 older youth and adults volunteered their time to make the event happen. In addition to these hands-on sessions, youth received a first aid kit to take home, flashlight and a “goodie bag” with educational safety materials reminding them what was learned. Progressive Agriculture Safety Day was conducted through the Progressive Agriculture Foundation, so each participant and volunteer received a t-shirt from Progressive Agriculture sponsors. Special thanks to sponsors for making this event happen at low cost to the youth!
At the conclusion of the day, youth expressed that they had a great time and learned safety tips that may someday save their or someone else’s life.
Views from VanDeWalle 