Tributes, Programs Serve as a Reminder on Importance of Ag Safety
According to Farm Progress, fall is the most dangerous time of year for agriculture due to high-intensity harvest operations, fatigue and increased interactions between heavy machinery and public roadways. The United States Department of Agriculture reports that each year, 400-500 farmers and ag workers die as a result of a severe farming accident, with nonfatal injuries impacting up to 200,000 annually.
On October 5, 2024, Cayden Daniel Mahr (23) was working on a farm near Smithfield, Illinois, when his combine came in contact with a power line. As a result, he lost his life. Cayden was born on Flag Day June 14, 2001, with a passion for farming, trucking, and family. He was a partner in Prairie Bros. Farms and played a vital role in Hiel Trucking throughout his life.
Cayden loved the American flag and the values it represents.
To honor Cayden, Will Zimmerman, a special friend and owner of Modern Grain Systems (MGS), sent an employee to Wisconsin to secure the largest American flag available. Will pays tribute to Cayden annually on both Flag Day and the date of his death by proudly flying the 30’ x 50’ flag over his home in Prairie City, Illinois, across from Hiel Trucking.
To further honor Cayden’s memory, Prairie Bros. Farms and Hiel Trucking have incorporated the American flag into their businesses. According to Travis Hiel and Danny Mahr, owners of Hiel Trucking, and Calen Mahr, a partner in Prairie Bros. Farms, flag graphics have been incorporated on their trailers, combines, and tractors. The flag theme honors both the nation’s 250th anniversary and Cayden. “The flag is special to our family because it represents our country and it holds a special place in our hearts for Cayden,” Travis said.
“Having the flag around is like having Cayden watching over us.”
Another tribute, this one in Macomb, pays homage to the late Tim Sullivan, a local farmer who died in May 2019 while driving his tractor on a McDonough County highway after he was struck from behind by a box truck. “Tractor Town,” a public art piece created by Kelley Quinn of Macomb, is on permanent display in Sullivan’s memory next door to The Bold Brewhouse at the corner of Lafayette and U.S. 136 near Chandler Park. Quinn turned an old 1939 Farmall tractor into a colorful monument covered with mosaic tiles. It debuted in October 2021 and serves as a constant reminder of not only Sullivan, but the importance of farm-related safety in an area that has a large agricultural presence.
A Macomb High School course has also gotten into the farm safety act. “Bomber Blooms,” led by Kaity Bowman, is a class floral shop that brings floral design and the students’ love of flowers into a program, “Flowers for Farm Safety.” The class donates proceeds from its flower subscription service for the purchase of grain bin rescue equipment. A donation from the Delores Beck family and subscribers to date, over $7,000 was provided to the Macomb Fire Department to purchase a tripod hoist for grain bin rescues.The Macomb Fire Department has been involved in two grain bin incidents in recent years, including one on Smithfield in July 2024, both had successful rescues.
In March 2025, the class presented a check to the Macomb Fire Department to purchase the hoist, which allows firefighters to place a tripod at the top of the bin to hoist individuals out if they cannot cut the bin open or get a door open. With bins getting taller every year, Assistant Fire Chief Adam Rhoades shared that they can’t always get to the top of a bin with an aerial truck or open the door, so the tripod hoist will provide a vital piece of equipment for grain bin rescues.
Through the “Bomber Blooms” subscription program, which runs each spring, MHS students create and deliver more than 40 themed floral arrangements throughout the community. “Bomber Blooms” subscription sign-up usually opens in August.
“Most people do not understand how dangerous farming can be, it only takes an instant, one small, tiny mistake, for a tragedy to happen that changes everything forever,” said Naydeen Mahr, Cayden’s mother.
