15 March 2025

3 minute read

By: Sarah Mikesell

North America

Reed Hostetler, 31, of Marshallville, Ohio, USA, died in a farming accident on his family's dairy farm on March 5, 2025.

According to news outlets, he drowned in a manure pit after the tractor he was on tipped over. Hostetler's two brothers acted quickly to try to find him in the manure lagoon and save him.  

Hostetler leaves behind his wife Abby and their three young children, Baer (4), Claire (2) and Axe (1).

He had hiked the entire Appalachian Trail, rode bulls and did mission work in Thailand. He was a man of strong faith. 

Reed was a co-owner of L&R Dairy Farm and worked tirelessly to enhance the legacy that was passed to him. He had the ability to fix nearly every piece of equipment on the farm and had an incredibly sharp business mind. He made great relationships with people through his business.

The Marshallville community has rallied around the Hostetler family, offering support and assistance.

If you would like to offer support for the family, donations can be sent to their GoFundMe.

A safety reminder to all

I didn't know Reed Hostetler, but based on what I've read about him, I think he'd want all of us in farming to use this as a safety reminder. Because accidents can and do happen. 

So whether you are brand new to farming or you've been farming for 50+ years, I hope you'll read through these safety tips about working near manure pits.  

Never enter a manure pit unless absolutely necessary and only after proper safeguards have been taken. You should: 

• Always have a standby person located outside the manure pit who maintains visual and auditory contact at all times. 
• Always wear a harness or safety belt with a lifeline when entering a manure pit. 
• Secure the lifeline to a mechanical lifting device outside the pit. The safety belt with lifeline is the only means for a standby person to rescue a worker from the pit in the absence of proper respiratory equipment. 

Treat all manure pits like any other confined space. 

• Manure pits should be well ventilated to prevent buildup of toxic gases. 
• The atmosphere within the pit should be tested before entry. A standby person should be in constant contact and have the proper safety rescue equipment available. 

A positive-pressure, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) should be used by individuals entering the pit if an oxygen-deficient or toxic atmosphere is detected. 

Post hazard and warning signs on all manure pits. 

• The signs should be understandable to workers who cannot speak English or read. 
• Signs in more than one language may be necessary in some areas. 
• Warn visitors and guest of the hazards of manure pits. 
• You are legally responsible for their safety while they are on your property. 

Make sure manure pit facilities are of sound structure and safe design. 

• Manure pit systems should be designed such that maintenance can be performed outside of the manure pit. 
• Keep the agitator below the liquid surface. 
• Greater volumes of gas are released with vigorous surface agitation. 
• Pumping equipment should be constructed of materials that are corrosion-resistant, thereby eliminating frequent entry to repair problems. 
• Ventilation systems should be properly maintained, and provide maximum ventilation when agitating or pumping manure from the pit. 
• Do not fill the pit completely. Allow space above the manure for gasses to escape. 

Finally, resist the urge to rescue fallen victims without the aid of safety lines and proper self contained breathing apparatus. Multiple deaths are associated with manure pit accidents. A significant number of attempted rescuers fall prey to the toxic gases in a matter of seconds.