Monsanto event offers safety tips to more than 1,200 area students

Jacee Carver and Kevin Darnell, kindergarten students in Christy Marshall's class at Eastwood School, model the correct all-terrain vehicle equipment to wear during a demonstation by Marshall FFA students. Presenting the information, from left, Nathan Swisher, Khris Deal and Brandon Thiel. The ATV station was one of nine featuing safety information during Monsanto's Farm Safety Day held Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 18-19, in Monsanto's Warehouse. More than 1,200 students attended the two day event. (Marcia Gorrell/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

Approximately 1,200 students from around Saline County may be a little safer in the future after attending the third annual Monsanto Farm Safety Day held Tuesday, Sept. 18, and Wednesday, Sept. 19, at the Monsanto Warehouse in Marshall's Industrial Park.

Although the event is called "farm safety" and some materials from the National Farm Safety4Kids program are used, this event, organized by Marshall's Monsanto employees, emphasizes safety for all children.

"It's just basically safety for every kid and to make them aware of the dangers out there," said Susan Pointer, administrative specialist at Marshall's Monsanto Soybean facility.

"It's probably less ag-oriented this year than it has been, but we are trying to bring some new stations in to show the kids some new things, this being the third year," said Jeff Tremel, Monsanto Soybean facility manager. "We try to bring something new in each year."

New this year was a first aid station taught by Renea Willis, an RN with the Saline County Health Department.

She covered basic first aid, including bites, burns and bee stings, but also spoke to the children about how to handle an accident if they are home alone.

An outside station, taught by Vance Grossenberg, a veterinarian and Monsanto employee, emphasized safety around animals and included an opportunity for the children to pet live dogs, rabbits and a horse.

Gun safety, a new station last year was updated featuring "Grandpa's Barn."

A video and live demonstration were presented to the children about what to do and what not do when they find a gun, in "Grandpa's barn" or anywhere. Last year's demonstration featured an attic setting.

Sgt. Scott Meyer, public information officer of the Missouri Highway Patrol was on hand again this year with the Patrol's "Rollover" car, which illustrates what happens when a person in a rollover accident isn't wearing a seat belt.

"It's something the kids request," he said. "Although, the children think it's funny when the dummies fly out, they learn about seatbelt safety," he said.

Meyer also spoke to the students about booster seats, which are now required for children ages 4-8.

Three Marshall FFA members again spoke to the students about ATV safety, showing the proper riding equipment and drawing from their own experiences for their presentation.

Lori Godsey, manager of Marshall's Aquatic Center also spoke to the children about water safety and included a real "pool."

Other stations featured Marshall firefighters speaking about fire safety, a poison and poison "look-alike" station and a railroad safety station.

Monsanto employees, along with other community volunteers, helped run the stations and Marshall FFA students also served as guides and helpers.

Students attending the event were from Marshall's elementary schools, along with students from Gilliam, Miami, Hardeman, Orearville, Malta Bend, St. Peter's, and Calvary Baptist Church School. Some home-schooled student groups also attended the event, said Pointer.

The feedback from the annual event has always been very positive, said Tremel, who said they always receive several notes and comments from students and teachers.

"It's just good, the kids see it every year, it's just a lot of (safety) reminders," he added.