PAF Safety Coordinator Spotlight: Beverly “Bev” Smedra

Around 30 years ago, Beverly “Bev” Smedra of Ord, Nebraska, came across an article in Successful Farming magazine that sparked an idea. She saw the need for rural youth in her community to have access to safety education. Bev reached out to University of Nebraska Extension Agent Kayla Hinrichs; together they brought the first Progressive Agriculture Safety Day® (PAF Safety Day) to central Nebraska.

What began as a local initiative has since grown into a program that serves youth across seven counties each year. Over more than two decades, Bev and her team have reached more than 3,000 children with safety lessons designed to keep kids safe at home, on the farm, and in their communities. Each PAF Safety Day provides youth in kindergarten through sixth grade with hands-on demonstrations, interactive activities, and take-home resources. From “goodie bags” filled with safety information to practical items like bike helmets, life jackets, smoke alarms, and fire extinguishers, Bev ensures participants leave with both knowledge and tools they can use.

“We live in a rural community where agriculture is the main occupation,” Bev explains. “If an accident happens, it affects the whole community. Providing safety information and demonstrations is one way we can help protect our children.” She says PAF has been instrumental in making her PAF Safety Day successful: “PAF has valuable resources for curriculum, demonstrations, planning guidance, and insurance. Having these resources available saves all of us from having to create this program individually and we can share ideas with other coordinators.”

Bev’s favorite part of volunteering is the children. “They are our most precious resource. If they each learn even one safety lesson or idea, the day has been successful,” she says. Many teen volunteers return each year, having once been PAF Safety Day participants themselves. “The younger children look up to them so much,” Bev adds. Through the years, Bev has received countless thank-you notes from families sharing how PAF Safety Day lessons helped prevent accidents. One highlight came when her team applied safety concepts to create a child-friendly play area at the local fairgrounds—an idea that families could easily replicate on their own farms.

When asked what she would say to others considering volunteering, Bev’s message is heartfelt: “JOIN US! VOLUNTEER! It takes all of us working together to protect our children. You may never know the accident you helped prevent…but seeing youth grow, thrive, and become successful adults is heart-warming and fulfilling.” She is also quick to acknowledge her community for making the event possible. From local businesses donating meals, to organizations like Cargill Cares providing resources, to generous supporters funding safety items for participants—her PAF Safety Day thrives because of local involvement. “We could not do this without them,” she says.

Congratulations to Bev Smedra on her recognition as a Bernard Geschke Volunteer Service Award recipient. Her decades of dedication have made a lasting difference in rural Nebraska, empowering thousands of youth with the knowledge and skills to live safer, healthier lives.

For a full list of award recipients, visit: progressiveag.org/bernard-geschke-volunteer-service-award