A Voice for Rural Children
Marilyn Adams, Spokesperson, Founder and President
 In the Beginning...
No mother could imagine the pain and anguish of burying their young child, nor could anyone imagine that positive things could ever emerge from that pain. In the fall of 1986, 11-year-old Keith Algreen was taking his place in the hierarchy of tradition on a family farm, a family business, and a family home. Keith suffocated in a gravity flow wagon of shelled corn that day. Through her grief, Marilyn and her family began a campaign to promote awareness by distributing danger decals for gravity flow wagons. In 1987, Marilyn founded Farm Safety 4 Just Kids.
One woman - One organization
Working to Save lives
With the help of many volunteers and sponsors, Farm Safety 4 Just Kids has grown from a one woman campaign into an internationally recognized organization with the mission to promote a safe farm environment to prevent health hazards, injuries, and fatalities to children and youth.
More than 100 chapters and over 3,000 members are working to protect the future of farming and preserve a way of life in rural North America.
Speaking Out...
Marilyn speaks out for all rural children. She makes an effort to witness first hand the farm safety issues that plague each area by traveling through communities, visiting farms, and staying abreast of safety issues. No matter how you look at it...they are "just kids" and Farm Safety 4 Just Kids was created for "just kids" and their families.
Message
Marilyn is available throughout the year to speak at your event. To reserve a date for Marilyn, please call (800) 423-5437. Your topic choices are not limited to the following areas:
- Learn how to make safe choices to
lead you in a safe direction.
- There is still work to be done to
prevent health risks and fatalities to
children and youth on the farm.
- Never underestimate the powers to be
within each of us.
- Find the road beyond loss. Find
meaning and purpose to each day.
| Marilyn has found her niche in the farm safety and health movement. With years of experience, the knowledge of a farm wife, and the love of a mother, she has decided to become a stronger voice for rural children. |
Sharing her loss
Rhythm of the Seasons...A journey beyond loss
Marilyn shares her personal story of loss and triumph in a book she authored with Mary Kay Shanley titled, Rhythm of the Seasons...A journey beyond loss. The book is a heartfelt account of how her family dealt with the grief of losing her only son in a farm-related tragedy. Just recently, Marilyn has found a certain peace in sharing her story through book readings. If you are interested in having Marilyn come do a book signing or a book reading, please call (800) 423-5437.
Recognition
Over the years, Marilyn has received many honors for her efforts in children's farm safety and health, including the most recent recognition from the following:
- The Des Moines Register presented Marilyn Adams
with The Register's Iowa Farm Leader of the Year.
- In honoring Agriculture's 25 Most Influential People of 1998, Farmer's Digest recognized Marilyn
Adams for her dedication and outstanding leadership ability.
- Secretary of Agriculture, Dan Glickman participated
in presenting Marilyn Adams with
Progressive Farmer's 1998 Woman of the Year in Service to Agriculture award.
- One of the Turning the Century Farmers by Progressive Farmer Magazine.
- Leading the Way Award winner for her efforts to make a difference. Presented to Marilyn by KCCI TV8
The Movement...
Marilyn began Farm Safety 4 Just Kids as a one woman campaign and she now ventures into being an advocate for children's farm safety issues. From book readings for kindergartners to meeting with top White House officials, Marilyn has and will continue to speak out for rural children.
| "I passionately accept the
challenge to promote a safe farm environment for children and youth. I look forward to protecting the future of farming by speaking on their behalf." |
Standing Strong
Marilyn has testified before Congress regarding children's farm safety issues, and is recognized as an advocate and advisor by media and organizations with which she holds a leadership position including: the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH) Deep South Center in Florida, the College of Public Health at the University of Iowa, the National Safety Council, Iowa Farm Safety Council, National Farm-City Council, Sharing Help Awareness Network (SHAUN), and Farm Safety 4 Just Kids.
Bringing Farm Safety Home...
Marilyn's number one priority is to spread the message about farm safety and health for children, therefore; her speaking charges are negotiable and 100% goes to support Farm Safety 4 Just Kids. Feel free to include Marilyn in radio interviews, school programs, daycamps, conferences, workshops, meetings, symposiums, and other events.
Past Speaking Engagements
- Ag Mechanization Show
- Southwestern New York Dairy Congress
- Ag Safety Day
- Women's Symposium
- National Council of Farmers Cooperatives
- National Rural Mental Health Association 125th Anniversary
- Farm Safety 4 Just Kids Chapter Day Camps
- North American Agromedicine Consortium Annual Meeting
- NIOSH Child Ag Safety Hearing
- Equipment Manufacturer's Institute
- California Childhood Injury Control Conference
- Surgeon General's Conference on Agricultural Safety & Health
- Louisiana Farm Bureau
- Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Conference
- Cenex Annual Meeting
- Canadian Coalition for Agricultural Safety & Health
- Sweeping Campaign of Manitoba Communities
- Farm Safety 4 Just Kids National Leadership Conference
- U.S. Nordic Conference on Rural Childhood Injury Prevention - Stockholm, Sweden
You can email Marilyn at marilyn@fs4jk.org
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