4-H to Certify New Tractor Operators

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (February 15, 2024) –Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s 4-H Youth Development Program will conduct a Tractor and Farm Machinery Safety Certification Course for area youth ages 14 and older. Sessions include both classroom- style lessons and hands-on opportunities for all participants. Experiences learned in this course will help prevent injury and save lives.

The HOOA (Hazardous Occupations Order in Agriculture) law states, in summation, that all 14–15-year-old youth who are seeking employment in the agricultural industry must receive the training as required by the U.S. Department of Labor. The only exemption for youth working on their own farm. The HOOA was originally promulgated in January 1968. When youth become 16 years of age, this law no longer applies to their employment; however, certification provides valuable knowledge and safety tips for all ages. You can learn more about state regulations by visiting the U.S. Department of Labor’s Youth and Labor: Agricultural employment webpage: www.dol.gov/dol/topic/youthlabor/agriculturalemployment

Agriculture is a very dangerous industry and at many agricultural worksites there are hazards associated with:

-Equipment operation

-Crop and livestock production

-Agricultural Buildings

-Chemical use and storage

-Highway transportation

Tractor Safety certification training will prepare a student for dealing with the hazards and risks in agriculture. Certification also provides youth with greater opportunity in obtaining employment. Cornell Cooperative Extension’s 4-H Youth Development Tractor and Farm Machinery Safety Course instructs participants in a safe and welcoming environment that fosters growth, insight and learning. This course not only allows youth to drive a tractor and trailer, but requires that they also learn the correct and safe way to hook-up to farm equipment, back up trailers, and drive farm machinery. Each student will complete their certification requirements, which include classroom time, homework and 10 hours of driving experience. Driving experience for this course is annually made possible with the help of the equipment dealerships Land Pro in Falconer and Clymer, and Larry Romance & Sons in Sheridan.

Class sessions will be held March 4th, 11th, and 18th from 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm at the Jamestown Community College Carnahan Center. A hands-on learning course will be March 23rd at 10:00 am at Land Pro in Falconer and the final driving evaluation will be April 6th at Larry Romance in Sheridan at 1:00 pm. Pre-registration is required prior to March 1st, $30 per youth, $25 per 4-H youth. Please contact Cornell Cooperative Extension’s 4-H Youth Development Program Educator Lindsey Crisanti Meeder to register or obtain more details, lc832@cornell.edu or (716) 664-9502 Ext. 212.

A special thank you to volunteer instructors and coordinators who continually help make Tractor and Farm Machinery Safety Course an opportunity available to Chautauqua County Youth.

For more information about educational opportunities available through Cornell Cooperative Extension please call the Chautauqua County Office at 716-664-9502.

The 4-H Youth Development Program is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua). CCE-Chautauqua is a subordinate governmental agency with an educational mission that operates under a form of organization and administration approved by Cornell University as agent for the State of New York. It is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The association is part of the national cooperative extension system, an educational partnership between County, State, and Federal governments. As New York’s land grant university Cornell administers the system in this state. Each Cornell Cooperative Extension association is an independent employer that is governed by an elected Board of Directors with general oversight from Cornell. All associations work to meet the needs of the counties in which they are located as well as state and national goals. For more information, call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

Last updated February 15, 2024