Loebsack, farmers address safety issues

HILLS - When Roger Stutsman lost his son to a farming accident about a year ago, he vowed to help prevent other families from feeling his pain.

“I just can not let his life go in vain, I just have to do something,” said Stutsman, a lifetime farmer. “My passion now is farm safety.”

Stutsman's son, Michael, 33 was caught and killed in a grain bin while he was working out in the field during harvest season. Grain bins aren't equipped with anything for farmers to grasp if their feet get trapped. Because of that, Roger Stutsman is now urging farmers across the state to use grain rescue tubes.

Emergency responders lower the rescue tubes into the grain bin if a farmer gets stuck. This keeps the grain from surrounding farmers and keeps the farmers from suffocating. The tubes cost about $2,500.

Congressman Dave Loebsack addressed the issue of safety when he met with local farmers Saturday afternoon at the Hills Fire Department. Grain rescue tubes were on hand during the gathering.

“Agriculture is such an important part of Iowa's economy, this is where the food production occurs, here in this part of the country,” Loebsack said. “I think we owe it to our farmers to make sure that they are safe.”

Stutsman said he hopes his family's story will catch others' attention and spread awareness of farm safety.

“If anybody had any idea the pain I live with daily, I have no desire to have anyone else go through the same,” he said.