On a quiet summer morning in 2016, 29-year-old Mike Biadasz was doing something he’d done many times before—getting ready to clean out the manure pit on his family farm in Amherst, Wisconsin.

Mike was full of life, passion, and humor. Just before starting his morning work, he even snapped a photo of the pit and shared it on Snapchat, calling it “liquid gold.”

No one could have imagined that just a few hours later, both Mike and 16 of his cows would be gone.

A Hidden Danger in the Air

What Mike didn’t know was that a rare weather pattern had created the perfect storm for tragedy.

As he stirred the manure, toxic gases—like methane and hydrogen sulfide—were released into the air. But because of unusual conditions that morning (warm air above and fog near the ground), the gases had nowhere to go. They built up quickly and silently, creating a deadly cloud that overtook the area.

When other workers arrived around 6:30 a.m. to help haul the manure, it was already too late. Mike was gone. So were the cows standing nearby.

A Morning That Changed Everything

Steve Burclaw, a friend and fellow farmworker, was one of the first to arrive. Nothing seemed off at first—it was just another foggy morning. But then he saw Mike lying still by the pit.

“There was no sign of anything being wrong,” Steve later said. “We’ve all seen foggy mornings before.”

This time, the fog was hiding something far more dangerous.

A Rare Weather Phenomenon

According to the coroner, this kind of accident was extremely rare. Usually, toxic gases from manure dissipate into open air. But that morning, an unusual weather system acted like a lid, trapping the gases in place—turning a routine task into a deadly one.

Mike’s father, Bob Biadasz, was at home having coffee when the phone rang. A friend gave him the devastating news: Mike was gone. His son. His business partner. A fourth-generation farmer who had big plans for the future.

The loss rocked the family and the community. Over 1,200 people attended Mike’s visitation—more than the entire population of Amherst. The turnout showed just how many lives Mike had touched.

“He could talk to anyone, young or old,” Bob said. “I never realized Mike touched so many people.”

Turning Grief Into Purpose

Mike’s death was a tragedy, but his family and community weren’t going to let it end there. They started the Mike Biadasz Farm Safety and Education Memorial Fund to raise awareness about the dangers of manure gas and help keep other farmers safe.

Through educational events, safety training, and advocacy, the fund is working to make sure what happened to Mike doesn’t happen again.

Their mission is simple: Farmers feed the world—they deserve to work safely.

A Community That Will Never Forget

Shortly after his passing, friends and family lined the road leading to Biadasz Farms with tractors and farm equipment. Mike’s black pickup truck stood at the center, surrounded by a quiet show of respect and love.

“As if there isn’t already enough danger in the lives of farmers,” one person wrote online, “this family had to suffer this freak accident. So sad.”

But through the pain, something powerful was born—a movement that continues to inspire change in farm safety across the country.

Why Mike’s Story Matters

Mike’s story is a heartbreaking reminder of the hidden risks farmers face every day. But it’s also a story of community, resilience, and love. By sharing his story, we can raise awareness, spark change, and help protect those who work so hard to feed the rest of us.

To learn more about the work being done in Mike’s memory, visit the Mike Biadasz Farm Safety and Education Memorial Fund on Facebook or check out their official website.

Let’s keep Mike’s legacy alive—by helping to make farms safer for everyone.