BY NANCY VORIS
Indiana Correspondent

MORRISTOWN, Ind. — Spend a day on a farm and you can count a multitude of possible life-threatening situations. Add children to that mix, and the possibilities for harm and heartbreak increase.
Progressive Agriculture Safety Day is a fun-filled day of learning for children ages 5 to 13 scheduled for July 24 at the Morristown High School. The free event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Safety topics for demonstration and discussion include: grain, electrical, ATV, fire arms. animal safety, first aid, lawn mower, fire and disability awareness. Participants will receive a free T-shirt, lunch and a gift bag. Children ages 5 to 7 must be accompanied by an adult.

The Progressive Agriculture Safety Day was founded in 1995, initially known as the Progressive Farmer Farm Safety Day Camp. It provides training and resources for local communities to provide one-day safety programs for children that are hands-on, fun and safe.

This is the third year that Bunge’s Morristown plant has hosted the event, said spokesperson Maranda Mullis, with attendance nearing 100.

“We’ve had a lot of tragic events around Morristown and Rushville the past couple of years,” she said. Bunge is pushing safety day programs at all of its plants.”

As an example of the activities, Mullis said an ATV demonstration allows children to drop watermelons and see the effects of the impact. Then, watermelons are strapped in a helmet and dropped again to show children why they should always wear a helmet when riding an ATV.

Kyle Finley also provides a live line demo tailored to younger children to teach electrical safety.

There are 396 Progressive Agriculture Safety Days planned for 2009 in 35 states, seven Canadian provinces, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa. It takes approximately 23,500 adult and teen volunteers to conduct the events for the year.

A release and consent form must be completed by parent or guardian to participate in the event. The form can be downloaded at the Bunge Morristown website at www.morristownin.com by clicking on the “Progressive Ag Safety Day” link.

The form can also be completed in person at Bunge, 700 N. Rangeline Road, Morristown, or during registration the morning of the event.

For additional information, contact Maranda Mullis at 765-763-7500, ext. 585.