Keep farms safer by holding owners responsible for safety

The owner of Yankee Springs Dairy, Paul Lettinga, was responsible for the deaths of two young men aged 17 and 18 in 2010 due to unsafe farming practices. This farmer knowingly sent these two young men into a silo without proper equipment, which resulted in suffocation and loss of life. These losses have torn at the families who have been left to try and continue on without their loved ones. The penalty for his crime: a $14,000 fine which was later reduced to half that amount. Perhaps if farmers were sentenced to jail time rather than minor fines and inconveniences, we would see a reduction in extreme farm accidents. This case has been held up in litigation and risks being dismissed without any real loss to the farm. Please ask for changes, ask for justice and safety on farms. All life is precious regardless of location. Please use this opportunity to discuss what responsibility should look like and how justice can be served.