The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states, “Farming is also one of the few industries in which family members, including children, are also at risk for fatal and nonfatal injuries.
Data from the bureau emphasizes that “The agriculture industry is consistently at the highest risk for occupational injuries and fatalities, with 453 fatalities in 2021, or an equivalent of 19.5 deaths per 10,000 workers.”
On July 30 and 31, 2024, the University of Minnesota Extension once again offered the Youth Tractor and Farm Safety Certification classes at the Houston County Fairgrounds in Caledonia, Minn.
Nine youth aged 14 and 15 from Houston and Fillmore Counties and two 14- and 15-year-olds from up by the cities took part in this year’s class.
According to University of Minnesota (UMN) Extension educator Katie Drewitz, “The youth tractor and farm safety certification program provides youth 14 years and older the opportunity to learn about safe equipment operation and general farm safety.”
The students must first complete an online course before participating in the two-day onsite course. The online course takes 8-10 hours to complete and can be completed at the student’s own pace. The students attending the class in Caledonia said that there was a lot of reading, but the online portion of the program was not difficult.
The instructors covered the following topics: tractor and implement basics, hazard identification and risk mitigation, distractions, implement safety, livestock safety, grain handling and safety, agriculture chemical safety, healthy habits for farming, CPR certification, fire, electrical, and 9-1-1.
This was the first time that some of the kids learned CPR.
The students got to work hands on with full-size tractors and implements and a lawn tractor. For some of the kids it was their first time driving a tractor.
Caledonia’s 14-year-old Owen Ranzenberger learned basis tractor operations which he said started off a little bit difficult because he did not know what to do. He also learned how to attach equipment.
According to the UMN, “Youth under the age of 16 cannot legally perform these tasks as an employee unless the youth has completed the National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program (NSTMOP) and received certification, in accordance with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Hazardous Occupations Order in Agriculture.”
Fourteen-year-old Kaleb Hoscheit took this class because he works on the family farm and could use the experience to get a paying job on a farm.
UMN notes, “In Minnesota, there are no legal requirements for children working on their family’s farm, but parents need to carefully consider the age of the child, their size, and capabilities as compared to the various tasks they ask them to do. UMN highly recommends that kids working on their own farm complete the certification program in order to have an indepth understanding of farm equipment and safety practices on the farm. It is noted that the class is not required for kids working on the family farm.
Fourteen-year-old Logan Luttchens from New Albin said he enrolled in the class to learn how to drive tractors and obtain insurance so he can drive on the road.
Another 14-year-old, Renner Staggemeier from Spring Grove, gained valuable insights into safety and equipment operation. He mentioned that the class covered emergency procedures, such as what to do if someone gets trapped in a grain bin, and how to safely exit a tractor. Staggemeier noted that it’s important to dismount a tractor backward to avoid tripping or injuring yourself and emphasized the need to maintain three points of contact with the tractor to prevent slips and falls.
For more information on this program or if you are interested in hiring a certified youth, contact Emily Krekelberg at (612) 756-3977 or krek0033@umn.edu.
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