Grain bin safety efforts are expanding across Michigan through new funding provided by the Grain Bin Safety Awareness and Rescue Program, a partnership between the Michigan Foundation for Agriculture and ITC.
The program, underwritten by ITC, is distributing more than $80,000 in grant funding to 10 county Farm Bureaus to support the purchase of grain bin rescue equipment and the delivery of training programs for first responders.
County Farm Bureaus selected to receive up to $10,000 each include Allegan, Gratiot, Lapeer, Livingston, Mason, Monroe, Newaygo, Sanilac, St. Joseph and Tuscola. The funding is intended to strengthen local emergency response capacity and improve preparedness for grain bin entrapment incidents.
The Grain Bin Safety Awareness and Rescue Program supports local trainings involving fire and rescue personnel and Farm Bureau members. The sessions focus on grain bin safety, entrapment prevention strategies and rescue procedures used in emergency situations.
Training is conducted by accredited Safety and Technical Rescue Association experts with field experience. The instruction includes hands-on demonstrations using rescue tubes designed to safely extract individuals trapped in grain bins. Participating county Farm Bureaus may also use grant funds to purchase up to two rescue tubes for shared use by local fire departments, emergency responders and law enforcement agencies.
Grain bin entrapments remain a serious safety concern in agricultural communities. A Purdue University report documented 22 deaths related to grain bin entrapments in 2024, including one in Michigan. In one 2024 case in Isabella County, a farmer was successfully rescued using prior training and a rescue tube purchased by the county Farm Bureau.
Michigan Foundation for Agriculture Executive Director Kristine Kuhnert said the partnership reflects ongoing efforts to support agricultural safety and strengthen emergency preparedness. She noted that equipment and training provided through the program are intended to help farmers and first responders better respond to grain bin entrapments, which have increased in recent years.
ITC Area Manager Gary R. Kirsh said the company remains committed to supporting farmers and first responders across Michigan through the grain bin safety grant program. He added that while many counties submitted applications, ITC worked with the Michigan Foundation for Agriculture to review and select the 2026 recipients.
The Michigan Foundation for Agriculture plans to open the next Grain Bin Safety Awareness and Rescue Program grant cycle in 2027. Farmers seeking more information on county-level participation are encouraged to contact their local County Farm Bureau.
Source: Michigan Farm News, "10 County Farm Bureaus selected as Grain Bin Safety Awareness and Rescue Program grant recipients"