The Farm Credit 100 Fresh Perspectives Honorees include leaders and visionaries from across the country. Selected by a distinguished panel of industry representatives, honorees are creating the future of agriculture and rural America through their dedication and innovation.
Bernard Geschke
Program Specialist, Progressive Agriculture
Category
Agriculture Education and Community Impact
Location
Papillion, Nebraska
Farm Credit Affiliation
Farm Credit Services of America
Bernard's Perspective
Thanks to his passion for life, families, education, and agricultural safety and health, Bernard Geschke has been instrumental in teaching more than 1.4 million children and adults to stay safe and healthy on the farm or ranch and at home. First a contract trainer and since 2003 as the Program Specialist, Bernard has worked for Progressive Agriculture Safety Day®, a program of the Progressive Agriculture Foundation, sharing his passion for safety for more than 20 years.
“I hope that all of our participating families live a safe and healthy life while working in one of the most dangerous occupations: farming,” Bernard says. “We are helping to keep these families safe while they help feed the world. With the support and generosity of our dedicated sponsors, like Farm Credit, I am confident the Progressive Agriculture Safety Day program will continue to grow and the number of farm injuries and fatalities will decrease.”
Each year, Bernard helps train and mentor nearly 500 volunteer coordinators from across the U.S., Canada and the U.S. Territories. Together they conduct Progressive Agriculture Safety Days®, reaching more than 105,000 children and adult volunteers every year. Through the years, more than 4,000 communities have planned and implemented Safety Days thanks to Bernard’s enthusiastic promotion and his educational and leadership skills.
A past President of the International Society for Agricultural Safety and Health, Bernard strives to live the mission of the Progressive Agriculture Safety Day® program by providing education, training and resources to make farm, ranch and rural life safer and healthier for children and their communities.
“As the world becomes more electronic with newer and larger equipment, our next generation will accomplish amazing feats,” he says. “However, safety and health will remain important in everyone’s lifestyle.”
