Last Tuesday and Thursday, Benton County 4-H kicked off an exhilarating series of day camps with an electrifying theme: 4-H Farm Safety. 

With nearly 200 eager participants and a team of over 30 passionate youth counselors, staff, and adult volunteers, the atmosphere was buzzing with energy and enthusiasm!

Every child got the thrilling opportunity to get up close and personal with massive farm equipment—an experience that is both awe-inspiring and potentially dangerous. The camp’s mission? To equip kids with essential knowledge about safety hazards on the farm. Campers explored various types of large machinery and delved into the serious dangers associated with grain bins.

The mornings were packed with action as campers engaged in dynamic sessions focused on chemical safety and the vital protective gear they need. They even hopped into the driver’s seat of a huge tractor to discover just how much visibility they really had. 

With hands-on models, they explored various machinery, pinpointing hazards and blind spots. One of the most impactful activities had campers experiencing grain entrapment firsthand, demonstrating the immense pressure corn can exert, making escape nearly impossible. During this intense exercise, they practiced using a 911 simulator to learn what information to relay in emergencies, and then they put their skills to the test in exhilarating farm hand relays, all while tackling the challenge of dressing in overalls, farm boots, and more. 

“I liked testing my strength, but I wasn’t strong enough to pull the board out,” said Archer Pflipsen, a fourth grader from Foley. 

The afternoon became a whirlwind of excitement as campers rotated through thrilling activities with large equipment. The Skid Loader Crushing session transformed into a test of strength as the campers witnessed a skid loader bucket crashing down onto a dummy, illustrating the sheer danger of hydraulic machinery. Each camper took a shot at pulling the dummy out from under the bucket, but none could prevail. They also had the chance to sit in the skid loader, where many discovered the joy of honking the horn.

The heart-pounding Grain Extraction Demonstration, led by the Rice and Foley Fire Departments with equipment they acquired with assistance from Complete Grain Systems, brought the reality of farm safety home. Earlier in the day, Gilman Creamery amazed everyone by bringing in a semi-truck loaded with corn to fill Arnold’s grain cart, pulled by a powerful Case IH tractor. As Mason Arnold connected the auger and started the grain flow, a dummy was quickly trapped. Firefighters sprang into action, fashioning a dam around the dummy to halt further danger. Using a mini auger, they skillfully removed the corn, successfully rescuing the dummy. This gripping demonstration underscored the potentially dire outcomes of grain bin mishaps, with firefighters on hand to field questions from the curious campers.

Then came the ultimate highlight of the day: the PTO demonstration. 

Sean Arnold from Arnold Equipment had campers on the edge of their seats. When he asked what “PTO” stood for, one enthusiastic camper, Rylan Brand, a fourth grader from Rice, raised his hand and said, “Paid Time Off!” Sean chuckled, agreeing and clarified, “It stands for Power Take Off,” diving into the essential safety info associated with PTOs. 

Sharing a personal story of caution, 4-H Summer Coordinator Teresa Heck revealed how her mother was hospitalized after an accident involving loose clothing and a PTO. “Not everyone is as fortunate,” Sean stressed, emphasizing the importance of being careful.

 In a thrilling demonstration, camp counselors prepared hazmat suits packed with wood shavings donated by Oak Park Creamery and dressed in loose clothing. The campers leaned in, collectively gasping “Yes!” when asked if they wanted to see what could happen if the dummy fell into the PTO, instinctively taking a step back. With excitement, Sean had the tractor start up, engage the PTO, and tossed the dummy towards it. The PTO swiftly caught the loose clothing, sending shavings flying in a shocking show of how quickly accidents can occur. The campers were left in awe, and Emmeline Hoheisel, a 7th grader from Royalton and 4-H Day Camp counselor, noted that her group agreed—the PTO demonstration was their absolute favorite part of the day!

As the 4-H Farm Safety Camp wrapped up, campers huddled in small groups, exhilarated to share everything they had learned about farm safety with their counselors. Each camper left not only with an abundance of new knowledge but also with a Farm Safety bag, sponsored by eager local businesses Gilman Creamery and Centra Sota! It was a fantastic adventure full of learning, laughter, and life-saving lessons!

A special thank you to the following individuals and organizations: Sean Arnold from Arnold’s, Scott Janski from the Rice Fire Department, Scott and Sam Morris from the Benton County Fairboard as well as Ken Bemboom, Scott Janski from the Rice Department and others from the department, the Foley Fire Department, Gilman Creamery, Oak Park Creamery, Central Sota, Dana Adams - Extension Educator, and the University of Minnesota Summer Interns: Kassidy, Brady, Abby, and Lily.

We also want to acknowledge our 4-H Summer Coordinator, Teresa Heck, 4-H Summer Assistant, Claudia, and all the incredible day camp counselors! Lastly, a big thank you to the parents who attended, contributing an extra layer of safety. Shout out to Andi, Sarah, Jessica, and Emily.

For information about Benton County 4-H contact the extension office at 320.968.5077.