Keystone Awards First-Ever Community Impact Award
Mar 10, 2025
On Thursday, January 18 in the late morning hours a call came into dispatch about a local farmer entrapped in a grain bin. Within minutes five local fire and rescue departments were dispatched and arrived at the scene. They found the man entrapped in soybeans up to his chin.
A person buried to the waist in grain requires a force of their own body weight plus 600 lbs. to free them. When the grain is to their shoulders, it puts 1,650 lbs of pressure on the individual trapped. Time was of the essence.
Thomas Study III, a professional custom applicator at Keystone College Corner agronomy location, is on the West College Corner Fire Department and left the co-op to answer the call just miles away. He was one of four men inside the bin during the rescue efforts, which lasted an hour and a half.
Study and his first responder teammates utilized a grain rescue tube from Liberty Indiana Fire Department to perform the life-saving rescue.
“Without the training the co-op provided, and the equipment that was given to this rural area, we would not have saved a life. It wouldn’t have ended the way it did,” said Study. “The co-op has given surrounding departments grain rescue tubes, then they adequately trained us, and annually our department, along with others, continues training for these situations. We work really hard to be ready.”
Additionally, Richmond, Oxford and Boston fire departments were all responding departments to this rescue, and each have been trained on safety entrapment rescue. Departments typically re-train annually for grain rescues to ensure each responder is prepared.
Safety is at the core of Keystone’s operations. A dedicated 14-member safety team oversees training, inspections, and compliance. Keystone has trained 87 fire departments using a grain bin simulator trailer and donated 21 grain engulfment tubes to enhance rescue capabilities. These efforts ensure the safety of employees, customers, and communities while reinforcing Keystone’s commitment to being a responsible industry leader.
“When we say Keystone is committed to grain safety, we are truly invested. The managers and employees ask for donations and training in their areas when they see a need, then our safety and grain teams organize grain entrapment trainings all over our footprint to work with first responders,” said Julie Lamberson, Director of Safety and Risk. “When you donate a piece of rescue equipment, you pray it is never needed. But it is reassuring knowing that the community was prepared, and the hard work paid off in a time of need.”
As a farmer-owned cooperative and stewards of our members’ money, we’re diligent in where we invest our dollars. It takes only a story such as this one, where a life was saved, and family is still complete, to support why our investment in agriculture and energy safety across the rural landscape is critically important.
Because of his efforts, Study was recently awarded the first-ever Community Impact Award through Keystone. The Keystone Community Impact Award is designed to recognize Keystone employees who go above and beyond to serve their community or exhibit exceptional courage in everyday life, positively impacting the lives of others. This award highlights the values and mission of Keystone Cooperative to Lead, Serve, Grow, and Embrace and recognizes those who truly live the mission. This award aims to inspire a culture of service within the Keystone community while showcasing the powerful influence individuals can have on their surroundings.
“This award means the world to me. We don't do this for the recognition; we just go out there and do a job, and do what is right,” said Study after winning the award. “The fact that our team was able to make this happen, and that Keystone is willing to recognize employees that are going out and doing what needs to be done - we appreciate that.”
Study accepted the award at the first quarter Town Hall, which is an event that brings all locations together for a meal and business update. More than 2,000 employees are invited to attend the Town Hall virtually or live at the Indianapolis headquarters.
“Thomas was selected as our first Community Impact Award recipient because of his commitment to following every protocol to perform the rescue, and his selfless service as a first responder in his community,” said Kevin Still, Keystone President & CEO. “His life-saving efforts have made a profound impact on this farming community, and also our cooperative, ensuring the well-being of those around him in times of crisis. His courage and readiness to act in critical moments make him a deserving honoree of this award.”