PAF Safety Coordinator Spotlight: Wendy Matteson

For more than a decade, Wendy Matteson, an Agriculture Teacher and FFA Advisor at LaFayette Middle School in LaFayette, Georgia, has been inspiring the next generation of agricultural leaders and safety advocates through the Progressive Agriculture Safety Day® program (PAF Safety Days). On October 7, 2025, Wendy hosted her 12th annual PAF Safety Day, continuing her commitment to making safety education a cornerstone of her agricultural curriculum.

Each year, Wendy leads her agricultural students in hosting an engaging PAF Safety Day at the Walker County Agricultural Center, reaching approximately 400 sixth-grade students from area middle schools. The event thrives thanks to strong community collaboration — with about 90% of volunteers coming from local FFA and 4-H members, and additional support from the LaFayette Fire and Police Departments, North Georgia EMC, Walker County 4-H and Extension, Walker County Young Farmers, Walker County Farm Bureau, and the Walker County School System.

The Walker County Young Farmers play a key role in coordinating presenters and organizing lunch for volunteers, while the Walker County Farm Bureau leads a memorable ATV Safety Demonstration featuring the Gelatin Brain Mold activity to reinforce the importance of helmet use.

Community involvement is at the heart of Wendy’s PAF Safety Day. Dalton Green, President of the Walker County Young Farmers and a local cattle farmer, emphasized how the program connects directly to the county’s deep agricultural roots and helps keep youth interested and involved in agriculture. In Walker County, 95% of farms are family-owned, and about 30% of the land is devoted to agriculture. Dalton brings his livestock to teach students about animal safety — something he is passionate about, having attended a similar program as a child. 

Another familiar face at Wendy’s event is Brian Hart, Walker County’s first District Three Commissioner and Farm Bureau member. Each year, he joins the PAF Safety Day to demonstrate tractor safety and share his firsthand experience as a farmer. He reminds students that agricultural safety should always come first and models safe practices by thoroughly checking his tractor and equipment before heading out to the fields.

Perhaps most inspiring are the young leaders who have grown through Wendy’s program. Iris, a high school senior and current FFA Secretary, presented this year on animal safety. Having volunteered at PAF Safety Day since her freshman year, she shared that the experience helped shape her career path — she plans to become an agriculture teacher herself.

In addition to PAF Safety Day, Wendy and her agricultural students also organize an Ag Day for local third graders, ensuring agricultural education and safety awareness reach students of all ages. By collaborating with other agricultural teachers in Walker County, Wendy continues to build meaningful, hands-on experiences that connect youth to agriculture and reinforce that safety always comes first.

Watch a video about Wendy’s Safety Day: https://youtube.com/shorts/BMgWA-ATAWw?feature=share