Youth Tractor and Machinery Safety Certification Program Offered

Mike Rankin
Crops and Soils Agent
University of Wisconsin - Extension

     The Fond du Lac County UW Extension Office will again be offering the Wisconsin Tractor and Machinery Safety Certification Program beginning on Friday, December 28th from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at UW-Fond du Lac in Room 205 Administration/Extension Building.  Any youth who plans to participate in the program must pre-register by Friday, December 14th.  This can be done by calling the UW Extension office at 929-3171 or 748-7565.  The participant's name, address, phone number, social security number, and date of birth will need to be provided.

     Wisconsin law now dictates that youth must be at least 12 years of age to enroll in this program.  Completing all requirements of the program enables youth working for their parents to legally drive a tractor on public roads and 14 or 15-year olds working for a non-parent employer to drive tractors and operate machinery as a job-related activity.  Youth participants are offered a wide range of information on safe tractor/machinery operation and specific safety guidelines when working on a crop or livestock farm.

     Program meetings begin in late-December and are completed in April with both written and driving examinations required for successful completion of the course.  A complete schedule of program meetings will be mailed to participants following the pre-registration period.  Cost for the program is $15 per person.