By CINDY LADAGE
Illinois Correspondent MOUNT VERNON, Ill. — The mission of Farm Safety 4 Just Kids (FS4JK) is to promote a safe farm environment to prevent health hazards, injuries and fatalities to children. Anthony Graham, the Illinois outreach coordinator, represented FS4JK in 2009 and will in 2010, as well.
There are outreach coordinators as well in Iowa, Minnesota, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Nebraska, Kansas and South Dakota. These positions are funded in part by contributions from ADM, Cargill and Monsanto.
A senior at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Graham learned about this opportunity when attending the AFA Leaders Conference in Kansas City. The conference focused on career preparation for leaders in the agriculture industry. Graham proved to be a perfect fit.
“With my experiences in FFA and agricultural education, I learned that teaching others about urban and non-traditional agriculture is something I am truly passionate about,” he said.
The objectives of FS4JK are to “increase public awareness and understanding of the hazards to children on the farm … Provide individuals, families, and communities with educational opportunities and resources to make the farm a safe and healthy environment.” FS4JK also tries to motivate and empower individuals, farm families and communities to make positive changes regarding farm safety and health issues.
While some of the safety items are obvious, others are not, as Graham pointed out: “When people think farm safety, they think of traditional aspects such as animal safety, dangers of farm equipment, grain safety, et cetera. Many don’t realize ATVs are becoming more of a concern on farms.
“While they offer great benefits, they are extremely dangerous, by nature. Helmets and other personal protective equipment are a must, and it’s important to gauge the size of the ATV to the size of the child using it,” he said. “Farm Safety 4 Just Kids isn’t just about teaching the traditional aspects of agricultural safety, but educating society on the non-traditional aspects as well.”
Graham’s background is diverse, majoring in anthropology with minors in sociology and military science, prior to attending SIU. He graduated from Rend Lake College, majoring in agricultural business and production.
“My career goal is to become an anthropologist and teach at a four-year university upon earning my Ph.D. My military career goal is to become an aviation officer, fly Black Hawk helicopters and complete Airborne School.”
Interested in agriculture since the eighth grade through his involvement in FFA and 4-H, Graham served as chapter and an Illinois State FFA officer, as well as a 4-H officer. His biography for the FS4JK adds, “Anthony has taught kindergarten students as well as adults about the benefits and implications of agricultural life.”
Graham is a member of the Illinois Army National Guard, Army ROTC-Saluki Strike Battalion, the SIU-C Collegiate FFA Chapter and the Ag Education Club. While in FFA, he received his state and American FFA degrees, as well as various other awards. He wants to make a difference as the Illinois Outreach Coordinator.
“I come from a non-traditional agriculture background,” Graham said. “As a child I grew up in the dead center of Mount Vernon, Illinois (population, approximately 17,000). My high school class consisted of about 300, with a total of about 1,300 students in grades 9 through 12. The extent of my actual ‘farm’ experience comes from visiting a relative or a friend who live on farms: I have never driven a tractor, never showed a steer and never grown a traditional ‘farm crop.’
“I became interested in agriculture during high school, with my involvement in FFA, then through FFA I developed an interest in 4-H. I participated in the non-traditional aspects of agriculture, such as showing exotic pets in 4-H and at FFA fairs, growing plants in greenhouses as an SAE and developing agriscience projects.”
This background will serve him well. “In my opinion, agriculture is about having a passion, developing that passion and living the dream. Agriculture isn’t just about farming and the stereotypical animals and crops; I advocate for the non-traditional aspects of the industry because I want to contribute my part in cultivating the next crop of leaders,” he said.
“Farm Safety 4 Just Kids (FS4JK) is a nonprofit organization based in Iowa, which serves the United States and Canada. Farm Safety 4 Just Kids provides resources and training to individuals and communities to conduct farm safety awareness and education programs. As part of my tenure with FS4JK, I must travel around the state (Illinois) to promote rural and agricultural safety,” Graham added.
To learn more, call 618-204-9646 or visit the FS4JK website at www.fs4jk.org |
