This is one of the four groups of Sleepy Eye FFA members that helped out at Farmfest during the week. Pictured l to r – front: Alex Confer, Karina Martinez, Anna Johnson, Clark Lazatin, Noah Rossbach, Carter Lazatin. Back: Charlie Hoffmann, Eric Lozano, Robert Romberg, Colton Romberg, Kayden Klein, Daniel Armstrong, James Moore, Cameron Moore.
From August 6th through August 8th, FFA members from Sleepy Eye traveled to Farmfest to teach youth and families about various farm safety topics. Set up for the event was August 5th which included putting up the tent and setting up the nine safety stations.
The following 28 members helped with setting up and conducting activities for the week: Karina Martinez, Kenley Jensen, Ari Krzmarzick, Lucia Martinez Paredes, Thomas Gent, Alex Confer, Ethan Feucht, Clark Lazatin, James Moore, Taylor Berkner, Noah Rossbach, Carter Lazatin, Eric Lozano, Cameron Moore, Kailey Fulmer, Natalie Fulmer, Ella Arkins, Colton Romberg, Robert Romberg, Jace Schauman, Jaelynn Schauman, Kayden Klein, Daniel Armstrong, Anna Johnson, Charlie Hoffmann, Mateo Hornsby, Ava Sellner, Logan Ludewig.
FFA advisors, Mary Hoffmann, Katie Emmett, and Paul Hendrickx also attended the event along with summer intern Morgan Hoffmann. Throughout the three days that FFA members were present at Farmfest, they were able to educate over 1716 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, Kibble Equipment, Redwood Area Chamber Ag. Committee, and IDEAg.
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