News : “Safety is my Superpower”

Austin Noe and Cole Birker helped demonstrate how to stay safe around farm equipment.

Students learn about their health from local EMT’s in the back of an ambulance.

Benton Community FFA members, William Kroneman, showing kids where combine parts move and could be dangerous.

Each attendee at the Progressive Ag Safety Day took home a shirt to remind them to always stay safe!

By: Co-Reporter, Izzie Birker

"For my first Ag Safety Day, I had a good time helping the kids learn about safety. I thought seeing all of the kids try new things was really cool to see," Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Member Dallas Fairbanks said. He was one of the group leaders responsible for taking kids around to all of the different stations at the fairgrounds to learn about the different aspects of safety.

On Saturday, September 23rd, Vinton-Shellsburg FFA and Benton Community FFA members assisted with the annual Progressive Ag Safety Day event at the Benton County Fairgrounds. Some members taught stations themselves while others served as group leaders or helped prepare the snacks and lunch-time meal.

There were many different stations around the fairgrounds such as the Garrison Fire Department talking about grain bin rescues, EMT's talking about your health and how to protect yourself from infection, and our local police department talking about safety on golf carts and four-wheelers. This was also an amazing opportunity for the new middle school chapter to get to show their leadership skills and a great chance for them to meet new people from other schools.

Ag Safety Day was very educational for both the attendees and the leaders to learn a little more about how to be safe on and off the farm. Overall the day was very successful.

Attendees and volunteers enjoyed a snack and great lunch at the end of the day sponsored by the Benton County Farm Bureau, UnityPoint Health Clinic, Dairy and Pork Producers of Benton County. Attendees also took home a goodie bag and shirt from Progressive Ag Safety.

Thank you to all the volunteers that helped contribute to keeping our youth safe!