CAYUGA CO., N.Y. — The Hazardous Occupation in Agricultural Law requires that youth ages 14 to 16 must have at least 24 hours of tractor safety and maintenance instruction to drive a tractor on a farm other than that owned by their parents. Each year, Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Cayuga County delivers a Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Certification course, specifically to educate youth. This year, nine teenagers from Cayuga County successfully completed the 7-week certification course.

The focus of the curriculum is the safe operation and maintenance of large equipment, personal protection, chemical, mechanical and electrical hazards as well as live-stock handling. Utilizing a newly revised workbook, guest speakers, field trips & demonstrations, videos and hands-on practice, participants completed 24 hours of training in preparation for the final written and driving exams.

The success of this safety program has been made possible by local volunteers and farmers. CCE Cayuga would like to thank:

Christina Day from the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health

Dave Newert from Cayuga County Fire Services

Dean Whitten at Raymond Donald & Sons Farm, Venice

Greg Rejman at Sunnyside Farms in Scipio Center

Cale Jirinec, HERO program instructor, Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES

Konner Glanville, Jordan Anderson and Bryce Jirinec.

–Cornell Cooperative Extension Cayuga County