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 13-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 14th birthday.

To help prepare some of those youth for the upcoming work season, the Midway and Cottonwood Extension Districts, will be hosting an in-person tractor safety class on April 18 starting at 8:15 a.m. at the KanEquip, 214 SW 40 Ave in Great Bend.

This course will meet the requirements of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Hazardous Occupations Order for Agriculture (HOOA). The HOOA 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 to cover the cost of materials for the course. Those wanting to enroll should visit and complete the “Tractor Safety Registration Form” at https://bit.ly/tractorsafety2026. Enrollment is due by Friday, April 11, for the Great Bend location.

Other tractor safety courses will be held April 25 in Beloit at Carrico Implement and May 28 in Solomon at KanEquip.

Prospective students can check availability and ask questions prior to registering by calling or emailing: Great Bend, Alicia Boor: aboor@ksu.edu, phone 620-793-1910; Craig Dinkel: cadinkel@ksu.edu; Beloit - Blair Todd: blairet@ksu.edu, phone 785-738-3597; Kaitlyn Hildebrand: khildebrand@ksu.edu, phone 785-243-8185; Salina - Justine Henderson jwh04@ksu.edu, phone 785-392-2147; Jay Wisbey, jwisbey@ksu.edu, phone 785-309-5850.

Alicia Boor is the Agriculture and Natural Resources agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. Contact her by email at aboor@ksu.edu or call 620-793-1910.