Tractor Safety Camp Inspires Confidence in Participants

The National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health estimates a child dies about every three days because of an agriculture-related incident.

NDSU Extension is preparing youth to work safely on the farm/ranch. During the summer, Extension specialists and agents held youth Tractor Safety Camps in Fargo and Washburn training 30 youth.

“Oftentimes, I hear about the sad outcomes,” says Angie Johnson, NDSU Extension farm and ranch safety coordinator. “Tractor Safety Camp is helping to change the narrative for farm families.”

Held over the course of three days, each camp provided tractor certification under the Hazardous Occupations Order in Agriculture. This federal law requires youth who plan to work for a farmer/rancher other than their family to become certified.

While driving a tractor safely is a large part of the camps, other safety topics included ATV safety, learning to stop bleeding in an emergency, livestock handling, electrical line safety, power take-off safety, and farm/ranch mental health and stress.

Fargo camp participants were trained in the Stop the Bleed program with Sanford Health, which focuses on how to use a tourniquet to help stop an injured person from bleeding out. Washburn camp participants were trained in CPR techniques by the Washburn Emergency Management Service.

Trace Thompson, a camp participant, wanted to learn how to make smart choices on the farm. “A friend went with me, and we talked about how it would work at home,” says Thompson.

“After attending Tractor Safety Camp, our son is very cognizant of farm safety and has made us all stop and talk about the scenario, what we might need to change or discuss how we could do it more safely,” says Jennifer Jewett, mother of Thomas Jewett, a camp participant.

“I want youth to be involved on their family farms, but I don’t want them to become a statistic,” says Johnson. “Our team of Extension agents and specialists, safety experts and the businesses that support these camps are all invested in making sure family farms continue to thrive by giving youth the tools they need to farm safely for generations to come.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/ag-hub/ag-topics/farm-safety-health

Angie Johnson, 701-231-1873, angela.b.johnson@ndsu.edu