The University of Minnesota Extension will be offering 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 off of 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. A generous donation from Polk County Corn/Soybean Growers will cover your cost of the program. Please contact Heather before registering for the program to get the scholarship code.
Once registered, enrolled students work through the online modules at their own pace. The online modules take 6-8 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 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-person training days for Polk County are scheduled for June 10th and 11th at the Polk County Fairgrounds.
The cost to take this course is $40 per student and includes all materials and meals on training days. Once again, thanks to the Polk County Corn/Soybean Growers, you will need a scholarship code to cover the program’s cost. Space is limited to 15 students. Contact Heather Dufault for the scholarship code information. Additional information and registration can be found at z.umn.edu/TractorSafety. If you have any questions, please contact Polk County Extension office at (218)563-2465 or Norman County Extension office at (218)784-5551, or Heather Dufault’s cell at (218)280-1129 or pohl0024@umn.eud
