LEWIS CO., N.Y. — On Saturday May 7th a group of teens who have been studying safe operating of machinery and practicing the operation passed their driving test and written exam to complete the 4H Tractor Safety Certification course given by Certified Instructor Joe Bush, Lowville offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Lewis County. The Hazardous Occupation in Agricultural Law requires that youth ages 14 to 16 must have at least 10 hours of tractor safety instruction to drive a tractor on a farm other than that owned by their parents.
Youth participants were Nolan Brownell of Mannsville, Darrian Brown of Turin, Jacob Davis of Boonville, Dawson Jones of Lowville, Dakota Maciejko of Constableville, Nathan Virkler of Beaver Falls and Hunter Zawisza of Boonville.
With community support these youth were able to fulfill their requirements by attending classes at the following locations: White’s Farm Supply, Logan’s Equipment and Cazenovia Equipment who generously donated time and equipment to help educate youth about safety, on-farm hazards, and the general safety and operation of farm equipment.
As the students were visiting each of the different tractor equipment facilities, Nolan Brownell said “he definitely enjoyed learning all the basic parts of a tractor and seeing different kinds of tractors”.
White’s Farm Supply generously supplied the tractor for testing day and the course was set up at the Northern NY Farmer’s Market which allowed for a great area for the youth to complete their driving, safety check list and written test. Refreshments that day were compliments of Richard P. Bush and Joseph P. Bush. This course is design to teach farm safety to youth and the basics of tractor driving. Darrian Brown stated that “he learned what not to do with his tractor”.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Lewis County 4H Program appreciates the continued support of the local ag community to keep this very fundamental educational safety program going and the dedication of 4H Volunteer, Joe Bush for taking the time to educate our farm youth.
For more information on this or other 4H Youth Development Programs please call 315-376-5270 or email lewis@cornell.edu or see our website at ccelewis.org.
–Cornell Cooperative Extension of Lewis County
