Some 60,000 blue jackets have invaded Indianapolis for the National FFA Convention. While in the city, many FFA’ers will take advantage of a huge trade expo geared just for FFA members and advisors, plus various workshops.

Mike Manning, a retired Purdue University Extension educator and now a member of Bill Field’s ag safety staff at Purdue, will talk to many students during the three-day expo. “We are trying to introduce them to a wide range of topics related to farm safety,” he says.

It’s especially appropriate for Indiana FFA members since Field recently released a report of 2016 farm fatalities that contained more fatalities than had been recorded in Indiana in many years.

“What is neat about this is we have a small area where specialists from groups and several universities all have displays, ranging from grain bin safety to how ROPS [Rollover Protective Structure] prevent deaths in tractor rollover accidents,” Manning says. “Tractor rollovers are still one of the leading causes of farm fatalities, and have been for many years.”

Manning is also introducing students to the concept of AgrAbility. This national program, developed and still managed by Purdue, actually is a part of the current farm bill. The goal is to provide information and assistance to those with disabilities who want to continue farming. Manning has worked in that area, and he also makes presentations to various groups about grain bin safety.

The first step is getting young people interested in safety, and getting them to care, Manning notes. If students at the convention visit a certain number of stations and take part in demonstrations, they receive a free T-shirt. The incentive seems to work, as crowds of students have been checking out the various safety exhibits.

The sprawling convention center also holds exhibits about ag colleges, displays highlighting agriculture in various states, and exhibits by companies, including Case IH and John Deere. The focus of these displays is on education and learning.