Safety First!

I can recall it like it was yesterday. Driving with my mom back to our farm after a day at kindergarten. In a flash- police cars flew by- ambulances blared their sirens- and the road between our house and our neighbors was clogged with firetrucks, police cars, ambulances and the cars of bystanders. Tragically, that day my neighbor lost his life in a farm accident. In a moment- an everyday routine of farm work turned into a disaster.
Although I couldn't really grasp the reality of of it as a kid, as I have grown up, I have been exposed to the importance and the implications of farm safety.

According to the Minnesota Farm Bureau: Farm safety, especially for children, is one of the most important issues facing farm families today. Over 22,000 children under the age of 20 are injured in farm related accidents each year in the United States.

Thankfully, Minnesota FFA members and members of the Minnesota Farm Bureau have been working together to create educational farm safety days for children and adults of all ages and backgrounds. Just off the top of my head, I can think of the Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter for their consistent efforts to create farm safety opportunities in their school and even at the annual FarmFest near Redwood Falls, MN. Earlier this spring, I was contacted by a member of the Dodge County Farm Bureau and the Kasson-Mantorville FFA Chapter about their Farm Safety Day! Even though it wasn't the best weather, we still had a great time sharing with over 150 3rd grade students about a variety of topics including a 911 simulator, 'I Spy' a farm hazard, lawn mower safety, animal safety, chemical safety amongst many. I shared with students about disabilities.

Patrick Jirik, University of Minnesota Extension-Dodge County specialist, guided me with our presentation.

We worked with the students and performed activities such as:

-writing our name

-putting tooth paste on a tooth brush

-zipping up a jacket

-buttering bread

-unscrewing a bolt

ALL with 1 hand. Not just any hand, but the opposite of our dominate hand.

It's hard!

Are you kidding me?!

Stop cheating!

This doesn't even look like my name.

Hey can I have my hand back?

... were the words and shouts that filled the barn as the students scribbled their name, juggled their toothbrush and fumbled with their zipper. As our 20 minutes ended, I asked the students: What did you learn about disabilities? While most responses included words synonymous with "difficult", one students response stick out in my head.

Nick said,"I learned that disabilities can be turned into abilities as long as you practice."

What encouraging words from a 3rd grader. He is right. After the 20 minutes ended, the students 'got their arms back', but realized that for other people-a farm related disability is a reality. Fortunately for those affected my farm related accidents, it isn't necessarily a disability but the development of a new ability.

Thank you to the Dodge County Farm Bureau for providing the future of agriculture and the future of our state with a quality opportunity to learn about farm safety. Thank you Ms. Pagel and Kasson-Mantorville FFA members for inviting me!

Here is a pic that I uncovered from last summer in the Farm Safety tent at FarmFest.