University of Minnesota Extension will be offering a Youth Tractor and Farm Safety Certification at six locations across the state in 2022. 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. Students who complete this program will receive a U.S. Department of Labor certificate of training. This certificate is required for 14- and 15-year-olds who wish to work with equipment with over 20 horsepower away from their family farm or homestead. This program is offered in a hybrid model, with an online learning component followed by hands-on activities and training.
Once registered, enrolled students work through the online modules at their own pace. The online modules take six to eight hours total to complete. After completing their online learning, students will take a written exam and complete in-person training. The in-person training includes additional education and demonstration of various farm safety topics, practice time working with the equipment, and the driver skills test. The curriculum for this course has been adapted to Minnesota laws and online learning with permission from Penn State Extension’s National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program.
In Wright County, the in-person training days are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday June 14-15 at the Wright County Fairgrounds in Howard Lake. This program is put on in partnership with the Buffalo and Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Future Farmers of America programs. Options are available for youth ages 12 years or older to participate in parts of this program, please contact Karen Johnson or Adam Austing for more information.
The cost to take this course is $40 per student and includes all materials and meals on training days. Scholarships are available to ensure all students who want to complete the training can do so. Additional information and registration can be found at www.z.umn.edu/TractorSafety. If you have any questions, please contact Karen Johnson at 320-484-4303 or ande9495@umn.edu or Adam Austing at 763-682-7381 or aausting@umn.edu.