Grain bin and manure pits can turn deadly in an instant, but three upcoming events from the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety can help with the training and knowledge to keep yourself, family and employees safe.

The grain bin safety program is intended for co-ops, farm operators, employees and agriculture business owners. The manure pit safety program is intended for commercial manure applicators, farm operators and workers, and agriculture business owners.

The events, sponsored by the Michigan Farm Bureau, Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan, MSU Extension and Michigan Corn, are being held July 25-27. They include:

Michigan Agricultural Commodities. 2 to 5 p.m. July 25, 7115 Maple Valley Road, Brown City, Mich.

Clinton County Fairgrounds. 2 to 5 p.m. July 26, 800 W. Sickles St., St Johns, Mich.

Berlin Fairgrounds. 2 to 5 p.m. July 27, 2008 Berlin Fair Drive, Marne, Mich.

Registration is free and required for each event.

Participants in the presentations will learn about and identify hazards associated with confined space work, understanding monitoring the air quality in a confined space, and the job responsibilities of a confined space attendant.

The grain bin safety sessions will also go over the process for confined space entry and lock out/tag out procedures, how to properly wear a harness during grain bin entry, and understanding rescue procedures for someone trapped in grain, among other key topics.

Click here to learn more.

GreenStone members reelect 4 directors

Four current board members have been reelected to the GreenStone Farm Credit Services board of directors: Terri Hawbaker, Marilyn Thelen, Troy Sellen and Dale Wagner.

Hawbaker and Thelen of Clinton County, Mich., were reelected to four-year terms representing voting Region 6, located in six counties covering central Michigan. Hawbaker, a dairy farmer, has been a member of the GreenStone board for eight years and serves on the Legislative/Public Policy Committee. Thelen, a grain and beef farmer, was appointed to the board last year and serves on the Finance Committee.

Sellen, of Oconto County, Wis., and Wagner, of Manitowoc County, Wis., were also reelected for four-year terms representing voting Region 7, located in northeast Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Sellen, a dairy farmer, is starting his second term and has been a member of the GreenStone board for four years, most recently serving as the Finance Committee chair. Wagner, a dairy and grain farmer, has served on the board for 11 years and is the Legislative/Public Policy Committee vice chair.

Along with the board positions, GreenStone’s 28,000 members elected individuals to serve on the cooperative’s 2024 nominating committee. The nominating committee is comprised of GreenStone members from throughout the organization’s territory who are tasked with recruiting candidates for next year’s board elections and nominating committee. The 2024 nominating committee includes:

Region 1. Nathan Clarke (Midland County, Mich.), Deidre Iciek (Gladwin County, Mich.) and Joshua Schlicker (Saginaw County, Mich.)

Region 2. John Ferkowicz (Lapeer County, Mich.), Timothy Ruggles (Tuscola County, Mich.) and Darrin Wolschleger (Huron County, Mich.)

Region 3. David VanBrunt (Lenawee County, Mich.) and Jason Winter (Monroe County, Mich.)

Region 4. Edward Kretchman Jr. (Berrien County, Mich.) and Anthony Stocchiero (Van Buren County, Mich.)

Region 5. Nicole Birkett (Mason County, Mich.) and Tyler Wilson (Gratiot County, Mich.)

Region 6. Matthew Keilen (Clinton County, Mich.) and Kyle Shellenbarger (Ionia County, Mich.)

Region 7. Ryan Brock (Oconto County, Wis.) and Scott Fenendael (Kewaunee County, Wis.)