An Iowa woman who created a farm safety program for kids after her own son died in an accident is featured in a book the profiles 50 "Hometown Heroes." Marilyn Adams of Earlham created "Farm Safety 4 Just Kids" in 1986 after her 11-year-old son Keith died in a grain wagon accident while helping on the farm. The farm safety organization reaches out to farm families to tell about he dangers of grain wagons, and other farm hazards. Her story got into the book based on a newspaper article.
Adams’ story, and those of the other 49 people in the book were first featured in the America’s Profiles insert in Sunday newspapers. Those stories were expanded for the book called : "Hometown Heroes: Real stories of Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary things All Across America." Adams though doesn’t think she’s a hero — just someone who tried to make something good out of bad situation.
Adams says she had to find something positive to be able to deal with the tragedy. There are probably a lot of people who believe Adams is a hero after hearing about the impact of her program. When she started the organization in 1986, farm deaths among kids were 300 a year. Ten years later, the number of farm deaths among kids had dropped to 104. Adams says they broadened their focus from grain wagons, to riding on tractors and safe play areas.
The group continues to look for ways to help improve farm safety for kids, and Adams says they’re always looking for volunteers to help. She says you can call 1-800-423-5437 or surf to the Farm Safety 4 Just Kids website . The book featuring Adams is available at most major bookstores.