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Cornell Cooperative Extension “Tractor and Machinery Safety” program a success

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Photos by Lynn Bliven, Cornell Cooperative Extension

The 4-H and FFA sponsored Tractor and Machinery Safety Certification Training was held at the Cuba-Rushford High School on June 21st through the 23rd. For 14- and 15-year-old youth seeking work on a farm, this certifications in required to legally enable their employment on non-family-owned farms. While the certification is not required for youth working on their family farm, many farm owners seek out the training for their children calling the class a valuable educational experience. As one farmer put it, “maybe a busy working dad isn’t the best one to cover safety training.”  Additionally, some parents and employers have given credit to the newly trained employee for pointing out areas of concern or hidden dangers around the farm.

Special thanks to Cuba-Rushford School for hosting the event and for providing tractors for students to use during the training. To both Cuba Rushford and Fillmore School Districts for support through their FFA programs; providing instruction from teachers Carly Santangelo and Kristen Brandt. Thanks as well to Matt Hopkins from Riverland Dairy Farms in Fillmore and Lynn Bliven, CCE Allegany County who also assisted with teaching the training. 

We were also fortunate to have Martin Krause from the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH) provide demonstrations on the importance of safe operating practices and personal protective equipment. Visual presentations are often more impactful in enforcing how quickly an accident can occur, instilling they occur far more rapidly than humans can respond.

This year we had 10 candidates take the training. They will be eligible to enter the Tractor Operators’ contest at the Allegany County Fair on Tuesday, July 20th.

The Tractor and Machinery Safety Certification Training is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension. The association is part of the national cooperative extension system, an educational partnership between County, State, and Federal governments. As New York’s land grant university Cornell administers the system in this state. For more information, call 585-268-7644 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/allegany. Cornell Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

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