Bronaugh FFA holds Farm Safety Day

Friday, February 24, 2017
Bronaugh FFA member Isaac Weaver explains how to be safe around a tractor's PTO shaft to first and second grade students during a Farm Safety Day event Tuesday, Feb. 21. Gabe Frankin/Daily Mail

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Bronaugh elementary students had the opportunity Tuesday to see tractors and other farm implements up close as they learned about farm safety from members of the high school's Future Farmers of America chapter.

"We have a unique opportunity to communicate with all of the elementary kids," FFA instructor Travis Wait said.

Many of Bronaugh's students live on or near farms and will encounter tractors and other farm implements occasionally.

Travis Wait said the elementary students "need to know how to be safe around it."

Big and small, old and new; tractors, a planter, a bulldozer, and even a lawn mower were lined up along the back of Bronaugh R-7's parking lot Tuesday morning.

Elementary students gathered in the agriculture science classroom for a Ready Rooster video on farm safety. The Ready Rooster video is shown to pre-kindergarten through third grade students. Older elementary students watched a power point presentation.

After FFA members Paige Wait and Bonnie Moore answered questions about the video, the students were led outside where FFA members Kasen Pitts, Issac Weaver and Koltin Earnest were waiting to show the students the equipment.

Earnest, Weaver, and Pitts took turns explaining what the elementary students had watched in the Ready Rooster video on actual equipment. Some of the equipment brought by FFA and community members was older and lacked an operators cab or roll-over protection system. These differences in the older tractors versus the newer tractors were pointed out by the FFA members.

"We try to have a one-on-one conversation with the kids," Paige Wait said. "Make sure they know how to be safe around farm equipment."

Tuesday's Farm Safety Day was one of several events at Bronaugh R-7 in celebration of National FFA week. Bronaugh's 42 FFA members started the week with a community breakfast on Sunday.

"We had an awesome turnout and served breakfast to over 120 people," Travis Wait said.

Monday was "Greenhand Day" for Ag Science I students. Wednesday is "Dress like a Redneck" Day, Thursday is "Food for America" day, and on Friday, the FFA members will wear official dress and celebrate "Teacher Appreciation Day."

"We have great community support," Travis Wait said. "It's a fun day to bring kids over and let them get a sample of what FFA is and does."

"That's what I like about living in a small town," FFA chapter president Kasen Pitts said, "Everyone is there to support you."

Pitts said most of Bronaugh's FFA members are planning on staying close to agriculture after they graduate.

According to a Feb. 16 press release from the National FFA Organization titled "FFA Members Across the Country to Celebrate National FFA Week," there are more than 649,000 FFA members across the United States.

National FFA week serves to recognize the importance of agricultural education and the role of FFA in developing agriculture's future leaders.

The press release reads, "The National FFA Board of Directors designated the weeklong tradition, which began in 1948, in recognition of Washington's legacy as an agriculturist and farmer. A group of young farmers founded FFA in 1928, influencing generations that agriculture is more than planting and harvesting -- it involves science, business and more. The organization's mission is to prepare future generations for the challenges of feeding a growing population.

Today, FFA continues to help the next generation rise up to meet new agricultural challenges by helping members develop their own unique talents and explore their interests in a broad range of career pathways. Members progress to enjoy careers as biologists, chemists, veterinarians, engineers and entrepreneurs.

FFA chapters use National FFA Week to share agriculture with their fellow students as well as their communities. Chapters also give back to their communities through service projects and recruit students to become FFA members."

In addition to Bronaugh R-7, FFA chapters at Northeast Vernon County R-1, Sheldon R-8, and Nevada R-5 schools are celebrating National FFA week with a variety of events. For more information on Future Farmers of America check its website at https://www.ffa.org/home.

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