Farm Safety Day held. Here’s the details!

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Bobber the Water Dog was a fun, interactive part of Farm Safety Day. About 100 youth and 60 adults learned about water safety from Todd Ernenputsch from US Army Corps of Engineers during the grand finale session. The kids won’t forget why life jackets are important and how they need to fit properly.
Bobber the Water Dog was a fun, interactive part of Farm Safety Day. About 100 youth and 60 adults learned about water safety from Todd Ernenputsch from US Army Corps of Engineers during the grand finale session. The kids won’t forget why life jackets are important and how they need to fit properly.

LEWISTOWN — Accidents are not limited to the farm. Water, fire, internet, and bicycle safety were just a few of the topics 100 kids and 60 adults learned about at Farm Safety Day on June 3.

“We will never know the accidents that didn’t happen thanks to lessons learned at Farm Safety Day,” said Krista Gray, Fulton County 4-H program coordinator with University of Illinois Extension. “All of the topics covered apply to any kid, no matter if they live on the farm, in town, or outside Fulton and Mason counties in a big city.”

Spoon River Electric’s Round-Up Program generously donated $1,500 to support Farm Safety Day. This event is made possible thanks to strong community support and leadership of University of Illinois Extension 4-H staff and Farm Bureau.
Spoon River Electric’s Round-Up Program generously donated $1,500 to support Farm Safety Day. This event is made possible thanks to strong community support and leadership of University of Illinois Extension 4-H staff and Farm Bureau.

4-H staff from Illinois Extension along with Mason and Fulton Farm Bureaus worked together to host this event. Many 4-H and Farm Bureau volunteers assisted. They believe that all children should learn about farm safety, whether they live on a farm or perhaps visit friends or relatives who live in a rural setting. Youth from Fulton, Mason, Peoria, Tazewell, Bureau, Knox, and McDonough counties were in attendance.

More: Area graduates receive 4-H Scholarships

Topics and presenters included: 

Weather Safety - Chris Helle, Fulton County ESDA

Bicycle & Skateboard Safety - Josh Wages, Canton Police Department

Personal and Cyber Security - Jon Webb, Fulton County Sheriff’s Department

Outdoor Survival Skills - Jane Frazier & Kim Dunnigan, Extension Master Naturalists

Fire Safety - Matt Fliege & Jeremy Eakle, Havana Fire Department

Farm Equipment Safety - Darrell Atterberry, Sloan Equipment

Livestock Safety - Patty Howard and Alexandria Riviere, Mason 4-H volunteers

Firearm & Hunter Safety - Tim Sickmeyer, Hunter Safety Instructor and Randy Stockham, Mason 4-H Shooting Sports Coordinator

Water Safety - Todd Ernenputsch & Bobber, US Army Corps of Engineers

University of Illinois Extension, Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit and Fulton and Mason County Farm Bureaus coordinate and sponsor this annual event. This year it was held at the Fulton County Fairgrounds in Lewistown.

More: 4-H helps young people develop goal setting skills

Additional support was provided by several area businesses and organizations, including Spoon River Electric’s Round-Up Program which provided a $1,500 grant. This event was offered to all area youth, free of charge. Every youth who attended received lunch and a free battery powered LED camping lantern.

To get connected with other youth development events and future Farm Safety Days visit University of Illinois Extension’s website at extension.ilinois.edu/fmpt. To enjoy more photos from the day visit go.illinois.edu/FarmSafetyPhotos

This article originally appeared on Canton Daily Ledger: Annual Farm Safety Day held for area youth