PAF Safety Coordinator Spotlight: Cherrie Curtis
For more than two decades, Cherrie Curtis has been a driving force behind ensuring youth in her community in Bowie County, Texas gain critical safety knowledge. Since becoming a lead PAF Safety Day Coordinator in 2002, Cherrie has organized 23 PAF Safety Days, empowering thousands of students to make safer decisions as they step into adulthood. Her journey with the Progressive Agriculture Foundation (PAF) however, began well before she took on the lead role.
Cherrie’s introduction to PAF Safety Days traces back to 1998 when she and her husband, both active volunteers with Bowie County 4-H, discovered an ad for a "PF Safety Camp" in Progressive Farmer magazine. Inspired, Bowie County 4-H hosted their first event that year, and Cherrie stepped in as a substitute for the 4-H agent attending coordinator training. That serendipitous opportunity blossomed into a lasting relationship with the program.
“I’ve been part of the PAF Safety Day program for 25 years,” Cherrie shares, “though not always as the main coordinator. In 2000, I became the Bowie County 4-H Agent, and by 2002, I stepped up as lead coordinator to ensure our youth received vital safety education.”
Her dedication and impact have not gone unnoticed. In 2022, Cherrie was honored as a Bernard Geschke Award winner in the award’s inaugural class, recognizing her 20 years of exceptional service as a PAF Safety Day Coordinator. This accolade celebrates coordinators who go above and beyond to bring safety education to their communities, and Cherrie exemplifies this spirit.
Having completed an incredible 23 Safety Day programs, Cherrie explains her motivation: “The short answer is—it’s rewarding! Safety is always an issue, especially for our youth. Bowie County 4-H works tirelessly to equip eighth graders with the knowledge and tools to make safer decisions as they take on adult responsibilities. It’s a critical age where they start feeling ‘bulletproof,’ and we want to help them be prepared.”
This commitment resonates within the community. For over two decades, local schools have eagerly participated in Cherrie’s PAF Safety Days, and her network of enthusiastic session leaders and volunteers ensures the program’s continued success.
When asked why she partners with PAF rather than organizing independently, Cherrie highlights the program’s unmatched support. “From the curriculum to the insurance, networking, t-shirts, and even goody bags, PAF makes it possible to deliver a comprehensive safety day program. There’s no way I could replicate this level of support on my own.”
She adds, “The PAF team is like family—always helpful, kind, and easy to work with. The pre- and post-tests align perfectly with our 4-H evaluation methods, making my job as coordinator so much easier.”
Cherrie’s dedication has left a lasting impact, though she humbly measures success not by dramatic stories but by prevention. “Every day I don’t see a preventable tragedy in the news is a success. It means they’re listening and learning.”
In the fall of 2024, Cherrie reached another milestone in her journey with PAF: she became the newest member of the Progressive Agriculture Foundation’s Board of Directors. Her years of dedication and experience bring invaluable insight to the board, ensuring the continued success and growth of PAF’s mission.
To those considering a partnership with PAF, Cherrie offers this advice: “Absolutely, do it! PAF makes planning and hosting a Safety Day so much easier. The curriculum, support, and resources they provide are invaluable. Don’t try to do it on your own.”
Thank you, Cherrie Curtis, for your unwavering dedication to youth safety and your remarkable contributions to the Progressive Agriculture Foundation. Your work inspires us all!