By ALICIA BOOR
Cottonwood Extension District
This summer, thousands of Kansas teenagers will begin their first job working for a farmer or rancher.
For those that are ages 14 or 15, they must complete a tractor safety course in order to be legally employed. A thirteen-year-old may enroll in the training if turning 14 before the next year’s class is offered, but the certificate will not be issued until their fourteenth birthday.
To help prepare some of those youth for the upcoming work season. The Midway district, along with the collaboration of the Cottonwood extension district, will be hosting an in-person tractor safety class on April 5 starting at 8:15 a.m. at the Ellsworth Carrico Implement location 1104 E. 8th St., Ellsworth.
This course will meet the requirements of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Hazardous Occupations Order for Agriculture. These regulations state that youth 14 and 15 years of age who wish to work as a hired employee for someone other than a parent or legal guardian and operate a farm tractor that is 20 HP or greater must successfully pass a tractor safety training program.
The cost of the program is 15 dollars to cover the cost of materials for the course.
Those wanting to enroll should visit and complete the “Tractor Safety Registration Form.”
Enrollment is due by Friday, March 28 for the Ellsworth location.
Other tractor safety courses will be held at later dates: April 26, Beloit Carrico Implement; May 22, Solomon, at KanEquip.
Prospective students can check availability and ask questions prior to registering by calling or emailing Extension Agents Craig Dinkel, Clinton Laflin or Alicia Boor. Craig and Clint can be reached by phone at 785-472-4442, or email, [email protected], [email protected]. Alicia Boor can be reached by phone at 620-793-1910, or email, [email protected].
Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at [email protected] or calling 620-793-1910.