This is one of the four groups of Sleepy Eye FFA members that helped out at Farmfest during the week. Pictured l to r: Destiney Dittbenner, Chloe Howe, Ellen Windschitl, Alex Confer, Jaden Yack, Clark Lazatin, Zach Dominguez, Ethan Schwartz, Colton Romberg, Daniel Armstrong, and Marcus Martinez.
From August 1st through August 3rd, FFA members from Sleepy Eye traveled to Farmfest to teach youth and families about various farm safety topics. Set up for the event was July 31st which included putting up the tent and setting up the nine safety stations.
The following 30 members helped with setting up and conducting activities for the week: Daniel Armstrong, Taylor Berkner, Alex Confer, Destiney Dittbenner, Zach Dominguez, Tim Friton, Lydia Helget, Lily Kallevig, Ari Krzmarzick, Ava Kunkel, Carter Lazatin, Clark Lazatin, Isaac Lendt, Logan Ludewig, Travis Mages, Sam Price, Riley Eckstein-Sprenger, Mateo Hornsby, Chloe Howe, Camryn Maher, Marcus Martinez, Colton Romberg, Robert Romberg, Noah Rossbach, Jaelynn Schauman, Ethan Schwartz, Katelyn Tauer, Kenedi Wersal, Ellen Windschitl, and Jaden Yack.
FFA advisors, Mary Hoffmann, Katie Emmett, and Paul Hendrickx also attended the event along with summer intern McKayla Carlson-Hughes. Throughout the three days that FFA members were present at Farmfest, they were able to educate over 500 youth and their families.
The Sleepy Eye FFA worked with the RedBrownVille Farm Safety for Just Kids chapter which includes members from three counties and sponsorship from AgCountry Farm Credit Services, Farmward/Ag. Quest, Land ‘O Lakes, Redwood Area Chamber Ag. Committee, and Bayer.
The name Farm Safety for Just Kids is a collaboration of Redwood, Brown, and Renville counties who have worked together since 2006 to help inform and prevent injuries and accidents on the farm and around machinery, making the farm a safer place by showing kids the danger of certain situations.
The youth who attended had the opportunity to play nine safety games/demonstrations including Pinch Points (Chains and Belts), Tractor Safety, Auger Safety, Wheel of Misfortune, Plinko (Farm Safety Trivia), Bridged Grain, Gravity Wagon Safety, Chemical Safety, and Tug of War with Grain.
Each kid was given a card that was then marked off at every station. When they had finished going to each station, they were given prizes. The prizes included: water bottles, cinch bags, coloring books, pencils, flashlights, and more.
Sleepy Eye FFA worked alongside the Wabasso, Redwood Valley, and Tracy FFA Chapters. All of the members who volunteered their time at the safety carnival successfully helped inform youth while also making it a fun experience for those who attended.
If you would like to be a part of Farm Safety Just for Kids feel free to contact Mary Hoffmann, FFA advisor at Sleepy Eye Public School.