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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.

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

During 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.