Progressive Agriculture Farm Safety Day in Bagley

On May 13, 2026, the Progressive Agriculture Farm Safety Day was held in Bagley. A total of 175 sixth-grade students from Fosston, Bagley, FHL, Win-E-Mac, and Clearbrook-Gonvick schools participated in the event.

The Progressive Agriculture Safety Day program, which began in 1995, has reached more than 2 million youth and adults across 45 states, two U.S. territories, and nine Canadian provinces. This year’s local event was hosted by Kara Waldvogel with Clearwater County Extension at the Bagley Community Hockey Arena.

The event provided students with the opportunity to participate in hands-on activities and interactive learning experiences focused on staying safe in rural environments and around various types of equipment. Ten educational stations were set up throughout the arena, with students rotating every 20 minutes. Many of the stations included demonstrations, visuals, and hands-on learning opportunities to help reinforce important safety messages.

Students also received take-home bags containing donations and educational materials from Sanford Bagley, Northwest Minnesota Household Hazardous Waste, Clearwater County Forestry Department, Clearwater County Sheriff’s Department, Headwaters Farm Bureau, and Clearwater County Extension.  Thank you to the Bagley Hockey Association for generously donating the use of the building and helping make this event possible.

The instructional stations and facilitators included:

• Tractor and Grain Bin Safety — Terri Nelson, Clearwater County Nursing Service
• Lawnmower and Small Engine Safety — Danny Willberg, Pinks Repair
• ATV Safety — Clarence LaCroix, Clearwater County Sheriff’s Department
• Chemical Safety — Amanda Holm, White Earth Natural Resources, and Randy Bodensteiner, Northwest Minnesota Household Hazardous Waste
• Fire Safety — Ryan Rude, Clearbrook Fire Department
• AED and First Aid Safety — Mahrya Weems, Benjamin Miller, Tessa Tramm, and JoDee Deike with Sanford Bagley Ambulance Staff
• Electrical Safety — Travis Hout and Mike Girtz, Clearwater-Polk Electric
• Mental Well-Being Safety — Katy Braaten and Ashley Johnson, White Earth Mental Health
• Cyber Security — Sandy Bixby, Garden Valley Technology
• Rollover Simulator — Vern Wittenberg, Clearwater County Sheriff’s Department

The Progressive Agriculture Farm Safety Day continues to provide valuable safety education for area youth while bringing together community organizations, businesses, and volunteers committed to keeping rural communities safe.

Kara Waldvogel-Clearwater County 4-H Extension Educator

Clearwater County Extension Office

213 Main Ave N Dept. 106

Bagley, MN 56621

218-694-6151  or email: waldv039@umn.edu