Shawnda Vega Montgomery Ag Safety Day

At its core, the ag safety zones Montgomery County Farm Bureau strategically placed under the entertainment tent at the county fair in July were an exercise in community education.

At each station, children learned about a different aspect of farm safety – from sharing the road with farm equipment to cleaning measures taken to ensure biosecurity around livestock. It is one of countless ag safety educational events that take place in counties across the state at fairs and in schools, most hosted or sponsored by the local county Farm Bureau.

Yet, the two-hour event in Montgomery County held a little more significance for the folks working at those stations for the second year in a row.

In 2024, the ag safety zones experience was launched at the Montgomery County Fair in part to honor a 15-year-old who died in an ATV accident in 2014 – Levi Montoya, son of Lucky and Christy Montoya, who serves as the organization director for Butler, Hamilton, Montgomery and Preble counties in southwest Ohio.

“Last year was the 10th anniversary of his passing, so we asked ourselves, how can we recognize Levi as the friend, the buddy, the son we all knew him as,” said Montgomery County Vice President Mike Boyle, a good friend of Levi’s growing up. “This was a great way to keep his legacy running not only for Montgomery County, but as a Farm Bureau member, which he was passionate about.”

At the event, youngsters learned something about ag safety at the following stations:
  • Be a Water Safety Hero (Mike Mullen, Montgomery County Soil & Water Conservation District).
  • Think First Before You Ride: ATV/UTV Safety (Shawnda Vega, Nationwide Sponsor Relations, pictured above).
  • Fire Smart Station: Know the Risks (Jefferson Township Fire & Rescue personnel).
    Share the Road with Farm Equipment (Montgomery County Farm Bureau President Scott Seim).
  • PTO Safety (Montgomery County Farm Bureau board member Niles McGuire).
  • BioSecurity (Pork Swientist Jacqueline Nolting).

“We’re just trying to bring awareness to the kids about safety on the farm and trying to save lives and keep incidents from happening on the farm,” said Scott Seim, president of Montgomery County Farm Bureau, who volunteered at the road safety station. “We want to give them knowledge that will hopefully keep them safe and help them be successful.”

Montgomery County board member Niles McGuire, who also knew Levi well, calling him like a “little brother,” was manning the Power Take Off (or PTO) station.

A PTO is a piece of equipment that spins rapidly, linking a tractor and farm implement. Children visiting his station did a reaction activity to illustrate the significant difference between their reaction time versus the PTO rotation. He said he wanted to be involved in the experience to teach kids to know about a potentially dangerous piece of farm equipment and be aware of their surroundings.

“It’s important to make sure our kids are safe when they are around farms, or friends’ farms if they are not at home, to make sure they have the self awareness and the knowledge that they need to be the safest they can in any situation they may be in,” he said.

Later in the afternoon, Eli Gilbert was named the recipient of the “Live Like Levi” award for his dedication to 4-H and agriculture. He received his award under the same tent where the ag safety zones had been hours earlier at the fair. Since 2014, the Live Like Levi Charitable Trust has selected and sponsored the “Live Like Levi” award.

Eli Gilbert Live Like Levi recipient
The 2025 Live Like Levi recipient is Eli Gilbert, selected for his dedication to 4-H and FFA. Pictured from left: Bailey Montoya and fiancee Caitlyn Colvin, Gilbert, and Christy and Luciano Montoya.

KEY POINTS

  • Montgomery County Farm Bureau launched the ag safety zones experience in part to honor Levi Montoya.
  • Ag safety is a priority for everyone on and off the farm.
  • County Farm Bureaus are involved in local ag safety events throughout the state.

WHAT’S NEXT
Learn more about farm safety from Ohio Farm Bureau Heritage Partner Nationwide.

Online Extra: Share the road during harvest

Share the road with farm equipmentDuring this harvest season you’re likely to encounter farm equipment on the roads. Slowing down and staying alert can save lives — maybe even yours.

Tips for our farmers

  • Light it up: Ensure your equipment has the proper lighting and slow-moving vehicle signs. If you’re traveling more than 25 mph, use a speed identification symbol sign to let drivers know you’re on the move.
  • Stay visible and connected: Take regular breaks to check lights, reflectors and slow-moving vehicle signs. Communicate your route to someone else so they know where you’re headed.
  • Respect traffic flow: If a line of vehicles builds up, find a safe place to let them pass. And please, no texting and driving — stay focused.

Tips for other drivers

  • Embrace patience: Our farmers are working long hours to harvest, often from dawn until dusk. Slowing down and giving them space is a small way to show appreciation for their hard work.
  • Stay focused: Resist distractions, and keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. Rural roads may be scenic, but they’re no place to multitask.
  • Keep a safe distance: Farm equipment has blind spots and can’t stop quickly. Give them space and remember, if you can’t see the operator, they can’t see you.
  • Pass with care: Only pass when it’s safe, and when the operator signals. Rural roads are narrow, and passing farm equipment can be dangerous. If you see mailboxes ahead, wait — operators often need to cross the line to avoid them.
New and beginning farmers
My first recommendation in your journey is to start out with a local farming friend or mentor along with joining an organization like Ohio Farm Bureau.
Greg McGlinch's avatar
Greg McGlinch

Darke County Farm Bureau

Growing Tomorrow Grant
We’re just so thankful for the Farm Bureau and the foundation for helping put this together. And of course, the Boyert family for the vision they had with this grant. It’s jumping us forward 10 years. It’s unbelievable.
Nathan and Jill Parriman's avatar
Nathan and Jill Parriman

Clermont County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Gretchan Francis's avatar
Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Youth pathways in Farm Bureau
It wasn’t until I joined the Wilmington College Collegiate Farm Bureau that I truly saw how my passion could translate into leadership, advocacy and a career.
Wyatt Morrow's avatar
Wyatt Morrow

Clinton County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Select Partner Program
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
Chad Ruhl's avatar
Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Advocacy
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Suggested Tags: