Tuesday, Aug. 1, marked the beginning of the annually held Farmfest. Thirty-four members from the Sleepy Eye FFA chapter ventured out to the Gilfillan Estate to teach the youth who attend Farmfest about different aspects of farm safety. The following members attended the event: Sophie Portner, Crystal Portner, Josie Lang, Macayla Lyman, Paige Romberg, Alyssa Romberg, Miah Brown, Jack Schroepfer, Morgan Hoffmann, Cassidy Hoffmann, Brianna Polesky, Vanessa Konopka, Trisha Ludewig, Jenna Zuhlsdorf, Cali Rossbach, Trey Heiderscheidt, Martina Nienhaus, Parker Neid, Maranda Braulick, Clarissa Simonsen, Carter Ibberson, Kelsie Domeier, Brittney Dittbenner, Courtney Dittbenner, Karlie Ries, Kathyrn Schroepfer, Logan Mickelson, Mackenna Fischer, Macy Schenk, McKenna Dockter, Hanna Himmelman, Jadon Haala, Livia Nelson, and Lauren Klein. The summer intern, Bailey Leaman, and the advisors for Sleepy Eye, Nathan McMullen and Mary Hoffmann, also attended.

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, Kibble Equipment, Harvestland/Ag. Quest, Land ‘O Lakes, Redwood Area Hospital, Redwood Area Chamber Ag. Committee, and Monsanto.

Kids attending the Farm Safety Booth were able to play a total of 11 games/safety 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, Tug of War with Grain and the 911 Simulator. Youth were given a punch card to make sure they played all the games and then were given a prize when they finished. The prizes included: hot/cold packs, water bottles, pencils, bags, first-aid kits, flashlights and pens.

The local chapter worked alongside members of the Springfield and Cedar Mountain FFA Chapters and a Monsanto employee who helped run the Tug of War with Grain. 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 in certain situations.

Each day of Farmfest the chapter members volunteered their time to run the safety carnival and make it a fun and educational experience for all children in attendance.