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, several K-State Research and Extension Districts are collaborating and will be hosting three in-person tractor safety classes scheduled for Saturdays, March 5 (Salina), April 9 (Beloit) and May 14 (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 simply go online at www.postrock.ksu.edu and complete the registration at least five days prior to the scheduled course. The book for the course is available at your local Extension District office and will need to be purchased prior to the first class as participants are encouraged to go through the “safety activity sheets” at the end of each chapter prior to Saturday’s session.     

Prospective students can check availability and ask questions prior to registering by calling or emailing or Sandra Wick swick@ksu.edu, Blaire Todd blairet@ksu.edu; Craig Dinkel, cadinkel@ksu.edu; Clinton Laflin, cllaflin@ksu.edu;  Alicia Boor, aboor@ksu.edu; Jay Wisbey or Justine Henderson, jwh04@ksu.edu.  

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.