FFA hosts Farm Safety Day Camp

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

Floyd County fourth graders spent the day learning about safety during the annual Progressive Ag Farm Safety Day Camp at the Floyd County Fairgrounds on Tuesday, Sept. 24.

Organized by area FFA students, the event invited kids from Charles City, Rudd-Rockford Marble Rock, Central Springs, Immaculate Conception and Gospel Lighthouse out to the fairgrounds for a day of learning how to avoid common hazards on and off the farm.

“It’s a really important thing to talk to the kids,” said Charles City FFA instructor Bret Spurgin, who has now been doing this program long enough to see fourth graders that once went through the program now leading the sessions.

“I think the kids really liked it,” said FFA member Ava Molitor, who worked with students on crafting thank-you cards for area farmers.

From grain bin to farm equipment to ATVs, there were 12 different stations for students to learn about potentially dangerous scenarios they may encounter.

Along with hazards that can be found on the farm, the safety program featured stations where kids could learn about bicycle safety, cooking safety and poison control.

“Just because something looks like blue Gatorade doesn’t mean it’s blue Gatorade,” said Spurgin.

Half of the safety stations were run by area FFA kids while the others brought in professionals to present, such as an EMT from AMR teaching first aid, oro Butler County REC offering instruction on electrical safety.

Returning to the program this year was the Charles City Fire Department’s smoke house, which was set up with demonstrations on how to avoid household fire hazards.

With welcoming weather, the day went smoothly as groups of students went from session to session, led by their high school leaders.

“Our kids love being able to help out,” said Spurgin.