At Farm Credit of Southern Colorado, our commitment to rural communities goes beyond ag lending. This June, we’ve focused on promoting grain bin safety—a critical but often overlooked issue in agriculture.
To help protect the lives of producers and first responders, we’ve partnered with three local fire departments to donate Grain Bin Rescue Tubes and sponsor specialized training. These lifesaving tools and hands-on education equip firefighters to respond quickly and safely in the event of an entrapment—where every second counts.
We’re proud to support the Hugo Volunteer Fire Protection District, La Junta Fire Department, and Holly Volunteer Fire Department through this initiative. Their readiness is a vital part of keeping our rural communities safe.
To share more about why this effort matters, we spoke with Mindy Witt, one of our loan officers in the Limon office and a volunteer firefighter with the Hugo Fire Department. As someone who works closely with farmers and ranchers every day, Mindy has seen firsthand how important safety awareness—and preparation—can be.
Why Grain Bin Rescue Training Matters
“There are lots of tools of the trade in agriculture that are beneficial, but dangerous without the right know-how,” Witt says. “Grain bins are one of those tools. If our fire departments have the tools and training to respond to an entrapment, the chances of saving a life go way up.”
Equipping Our Local Fire Departments
The rescue tubes and training are now available to departments in Hugo, La Junta, and Holly—filling a critical gap in rural emergency response.
“These tools and training will make us much quicker and safer in the event of a grain bin rescue,” Witt explains. “Without them, we’d be wasting precious time trying to figure out how to get in and extract someone safely. In these situations, minutes can mean the difference between life and death.”
Safety First: Practical Advice for Producers
Mindy also shared important safety tips that every producer should keep in mind when working around grain bins:
“Always be tied off if you have to enter a bin. Never go in without letting someone know. And if possible, work in pairs. Have someone on top of the bin watching you. Wear a mask if it’s dusty—and most importantly, know that you’re not invincible.”
She also shared a personal story that underscores the risks:
“My cousin Jake was cleaning out a grain bin on a farm where he worked. The farmer didn’t know he was in there and turned on the auger. Jake lost his left hand in the accident. He was lucky he didn’t lose his life.”
A Commitment You Can Count On
“I think the Grain Bin Rescue Equipment donation is a perfect reflection of Farm Credit of Southern Colorado’s commitment to give back,” says Witt. “We love our borrowers and our communities. You see our name on local sponsorships and at the fairgrounds, but this is a different kind of support—one that could truly save lives.”
When Mindy realized the closest rescue tube was more than an hour from Hugo, she brought the idea to CEO Jeremy Anderson. His response? Not just one donation—but three.
“This speaks volumes to Farm Credit of Southern Colorado’s commitment to the well-being of the rural communities that we serve.,” Witt says. “Hopefully these tubes will never need to be used, but just knowing they’re in place can make a world of difference. You can’t put a dollar value on a life.”
This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, legal, or investment advice. Any information contained in this post is subject to change without notice and should not be relied upon without seeking the advice of a qualified professional. The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of our Association. The author and Association are not responsible for any errors or omissions and are not liable for any losses or damages arising from the use of the information contained in this post.