Farm safety programs have a long history in this region of the state. Many Extension employees and community members have participated in safety programs that have included small camps at county fairgrounds, workshops at local schools and tractor safety training for teenagers. We design these programs to reduce the number of tragic accidents and incidents that we see annually occurring in farming country. Two of the most successful farm safety programs in our area are the Tesmer Farm Safety Day Camp and the Youth Tractor & Farm Safety Certification Program.
The Tesmer Farm Safety Day Camp
UMN Extension will hold this year’s safety camp on Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at the Mabel Steam Engine Grounds. This year we have over 420 students signed up to attend the camp. Thank you to all of the schools who have signed up for this program. Your continued support brings significant safety education to a vulnerable group.
Thank you to all of the community members who support this program. Funding for the farm safety camp comes entirely through local donations and many local business, community groups and individuals give their time to this program every year. A special thanks to the Fillmore County Pork Producers who are cooking lunch this year and to all commodity groups who donate food, equipment and their expertise. Please feel free to contact the local Extension office if you are interested in participating in this program.
Youth Tractor & Farm Safety Certification Program
University of Minnesota Extension and community partners will be hosting the Youth Tractor & Farm Safety Certification Program in local communities at various locations and times in June. This program is designed to provide youth ages 14-years-old and older the opportunity to learn about general farm safety and how to safely operate farm equipment. By successfully completing this certification program, 14- and 15-year-old youth may legally operate for hire farm tractors and powered machinery with over 20 horsepower off their family farm.
The Youth Tractor & Farm Safety Certification Program will be hosted in 2019 at the following locations:
•June 3-4 in Fertile, Minn., (Polk County)
•June 11-12 in Sauk Centre, Minn., (Stearns County)
•June 17-18 in Caledonia, Minn., (Houston County)
•June 26-27 in Owatonna (Steele County)
•June 28-29 in Preston, Minn., (Fillmore County)
Registration for the program is open and can be accessed through the program website at https://z.umn.edu/tractorsafetyregistration. Registration is limited to youth 14 years old and older and each training location will take a maximum of 20 students. The registration fee for the course is $25.
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