PAF Safety Coordinator Spotlight: Duane Schallenburg

For more than two decades, Duane Schallenberg of New Douglas, Illinois, has been a steady force behind rural youth safety education in his community—and a shining example of what long-term volunteer commitment can achieve.

Duane’s journey with the Progressive Agriculture Safety Day® (PAF Safety Day) program began in 2003, after learning about the program through Progressive Farmer magazine. Intrigued by the mission and impact, Duane and his wife, Kim, attended an in-person coordinator training in Nashville, Tennessee. Less than a year later, in June 2004, Duane hosted his very first PAF Safety Day—and he hasn’t looked back since.

Over the past 20+ years, Duane has helped deliver potentially life-saving safety messages to countless children and adults across his region. His dedication was formally recognized in 2025 when he was named a recipient of the Bernard Geschke Volunteer Service Award, honoring volunteers who have served as PAF Safety Day coordinators for 20 years or more.

The award holds special meaning, as it honors the legacy of Bernard Geschke, a farm safety trailblazer who helped shape the PAF Safety Day program from its early days. Like Geschke, Duane has consistently demonstrated a deep belief in the power of education, partnerships, and community involvement.

Duane continues to bring that belief to life through hands-on programming. In May 2025, he coordinated a school-based PAF Safety Day for over 250 sixth-grade students at the Madison County Fairgrounds in Highland, Illinois. The event brought together local partners, including Highland High School FFA members and the Highland Fire Department.

“I always hear comments about what a great program it is,” Duane shared. “I have received so many compliments over the years, and I am continuously reminded of the need for the program. Both the students and teachers look forward to attending each year, and I believe we are influencing young people in a positive way to make safer choices. I really enjoy watching the FFA members interact with the students.”

As the Foundation reflects on another impactful year—and celebrates 30 years of the PAF Safety Day program—volunteers like Duane remind us that lasting change is built over time, one Safety Day at a time.

We are grateful for Duane’s unwavering commitment, his passion for rural youth safety, and the example he sets for volunteers across North America. His work continues to make farms, ranches, and rural communities safer and healthier for the next generation.

Thank you, Duane, for more than 20 years of service—and for helping safety lessons last a lifetime.