ST PETER, Minn. — Another Minnesota family is dealing with an unthinkable tragedy having lost their loved one in a farming accident.
Tuesday night in rural Stearns County, the sheriff says 35-year-old Brandon Schaefer was trying to loosen frozen corn inside a grain bin when he fell in and was buried.
He later died at the hospital.
Schaefer is one of seven people who have been killed in grain bin-related accidents in Minnesota since 2017, according to state records.
One Minnesota mother is now pushing for safety changes.
On the Gran farm near Saint Peter, farming is everything.
"It's our livelihood," said Michele Gran.
That was especially true for her son Landon.
"He was going to take over our farm someday," said Michele. "Landon's passion was always farming."
She says he was empathetic, caring and had a bright future.
His life was cut far too short last August, when he went to work on his neighbors farm. Landon was cleaning out a grain bin when his legs got stuck in a sweep auger.
"He died in that bin," said Michele. "Suffered in that bin. This was preventable."
Landon is one of several people just this past year to die in grain bins or silos.
"It kills me to think of someone else having to go through this," said Michele.
She wants a number of safety measures put in place including two people required to be working in a grain bin at all times and safety harnesses.
She's now pressing lawmakers to take action.
"Here's an opportunity for the state to do something that allows things to become safer. That's what the state should be doing," said State Senator Nick Frentz of North Mankato.
He plans to introduce a bill this upcoming session.
"It provides an opportunity for farmers to ask for grants to help them find safety improvements in grain bins whether it be automatic shutoff, safety enhancements to the auger or anything to make it safer," said Frentz.
Michele has been without Landon now for more than five months.
"It's still really hard to live without him," said Michele.
In Landon's memory, she's now focused on pushing for more safety on the farm.
"I believe that his life needs to have meaning and putting this law in his name for his legacy to live on is something really important to us," said Michele.
She says she plans to make her way to the capitol this session to push for these safety regulations.