The Village of Cairo hosted its second Progressive Agriculture Safety Day on June 7, 2016. 109 students from area communities, over thirty volunteers, and Moses the comfort dog attended the event.
Students participated in hands-on learning activities. Safety topics included how to keep safe near operating power take offs (PTOs), mowing the lawn, and riding all-terrain vehicles (ATV’s). Students rotated through sessions on grain bin safety, gun safety, and weather safety, as well as how to build and use basic first aid kits. The Cairo and Grand Island Rural Fire Departments educated children on how to react during a fire with demonstrations in the smoke house, correct operation of a fire extinguisher, and the stop-drop and roll technique. The day also included a tour of the Boelus Ambulance. Each registered child that attended, received a free t-shirt provided by Progressive Agriculture Foundation, a goodie bag filled with items provided by local sponsors, and a fire extinguisher was given to each registered family.
Many local businesses provided support vital to the success of the 2016 Progressive Agriculture Safety Day. Special thanks to: Titan Machinery, Green Line Equipment, Hall County Sheriff, Howard County Sheriff, Central Nebraska Health District, Stretch Powersports, National Weather Service, Cairo and Grand Island Rural Fire Departments, Boelus Ambulance/EMT’s, Cargill, Pathway Bank and Insurance, Global Industries, Hornady, Farm Credit Services of America, and Central Nebraska Health Services. In addition to the businesses listed, additional community volunteers included: members of Centura FFA, Northwest FFA, Wood River FFA, Reggie Schmit, and the Village of Cairo.
The feedback received from sponsors, volunteers, students, and parents has been very positive. Planning for the 2017 Safety Day is in full swing by co-coordinators Charity Adams, Tara Janda and Sarah Quandt. The date for next year’s event is June 6, 2017. Coordinators are seeking additional co-coordinators from Wood River and Shelton to join the planning team, if interested please contact Charity, Tara or Sarah. Coordinators plan to feature water safety for Safety Day 2017 and hope to have the resources to provide each registered child with a life jacket.
