PAF Safety Coordinator Spotlight: Carlie Bossard
Carlie Bossard was first introduced to the Progressive Agriculture Safety Day® (PAF Safety Days) program at an FFA convention. What started as a single connection has grown into a meaningful and lasting impact for youth in her community.
Now serving as the FFA advisor, Carlie has completed three PAF Safety Day programs, with a fourth scheduled for March 2026. Each year, her program continues to expand in both reach and impact. “All of our 6th-8th graders at Penn Yan Middle School attend our safety day each year. We rotate through the topics every 3 years so each year students are learning new topics. We have partnered with several local agencies, like our Public Health, Ambulance Corps, and Police Department. We have hit on many different topics and students remember what they learned at the safety day.”
Those partnerships play a key role in delivering hands-on, real-world learning experiences. By working with local organizations, Carlie ensures that students are not only engaged but are learning lessons that stay with them.
“I love hearing students talk about the different activities that they see. We did a PPE activity last year on how safety glasses and proper footwear can protect you, and many remembered it! We have also made great relationships with several organizations like 1800 UDig and NYSEG for electrical and underground utilities.”
Carlie credits the Progressive Agriculture Foundation® (PAF) for providing the structure, resources, and support needed to make her Safety Day successful. “I really like the different curriculum and activities through the PAF, and the different videos that show how to set up activities. They also list many different organizations you can partner with or get materials from. The Facebook community is also very helpful!” Beyond the materials and curriculum, having a support system has made a significant difference.
Her role as an FFA advisor aligns naturally with the mission of the PAF Safety Day program. “I am also the FFA advisor at Penn Yan Academy, and one of the parts of our Program of Activities is Safety, which meshes with our mission.”
For those considering hosting a PAF Safety Day, Carlie offers simple, encouraging advice. “Do it! There is so much support, and so many ideas of what you can do at your safety day. I love that I had lots of options, and I can do different things every year.”
As she prepares for her fourth PAF Safety Day, Carlie continues to make a lasting impact in her community by helping students build knowledge, awareness, and confidence around safety. Through leaders like Carlie, the impact of PAF Safety Days continues to grow, reaching more youth and strengthening communities each year.