Is my child ready to operate a farm tractor or farm machinery? This can be a hard question for many parents/guardians to answer.  While as a parent you may have started to drive at an early age, your child’s development, and work task the child is being asked to complete, needs to be considered.

The Wisconsin Youth Tractor & Machinery Safety Certification Program is designed to meet requirements established by the US Department of Labor, pertaining to special provisions made for the employment of youth ages 14-15 on farms not operated by their parents. In addition, Wisconsin Act 455 provides specific provisions for tractor operation by 12-13 year olds.

This summer Extension is offering a virtual training session from August 7-11 that is followed by an in-person testing session. Youth will select a morning or afternoon testing session, 9am-12pm or 1pm-4pm, from the following days.

· August 15 at Spooner Ag Research Station

· August 16 at Rhinelander Ag Research Station

· August 21 at Arlington Ag Research Station 

· August 22 at Arlington Ag Research Station 

· August 23 at Arlington Ag Research Station 

For more information, visit https://farms.extension.wisc.edu/programs/youth-tractor-safety/.