4-H to Certify New Tractor Operators

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (February 21, 2025) –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 aged 14 and older. Sessions include both classroom-style lessons and hands-on opportunities for all participants at local equipment dealers. The experiences youth will learn in this course will help prevent injury and save lives when dealing with the hazards and risks of agriculture.

Agriculture is a very dangerous industry and there are many hazards associated, including equipment operation, crop and livestock production, agricultural buildings, chemical use and storage, and roadway transportation. Hazardous Occupations Order for Agriculture (HOOA) regulations set the age of employment in agriculture as 16 years old and identify hazardous operations that should not be completed by youth on the farm. The only exceptions to this law are youth who work on a farm owned and operated by their guardians, as well as minors aged 14-15 who receive training from the National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program, such as the one offered by Chautauqua County 4-H.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua’s 4-H 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 with implements, and drive farm machinery. To become certified, each youth must participate in at least 24 hours of instruction, including classroom learning, hands-on learning, and driving opportunities. Youth must also pass a written exam and successfully complete a Pre-operation and Operation skills assessment.

Driving experience for this course is annually made possible with the help of the local equipment dealerships. This year, Chautauqua County 4-H would like to thank LandPro Equipment in Falconer and Clymer locations, Larry Romance & Sons in Sheridan, Westfield Ag and Turf in Westfield, and John Wiggers and Son in North Clymer.

This year, the course will be held April 14th-19th, 2025. Classroom sessions will be held at Jamestown Community College Carnahan Center from 9:00am-3:00pm April 14th and 15th. A hands-on learning course will be held April 16th from 4:30-7:30 pm at LandPro Equipment in Falconer. The written test will be held at Westfield Ag and Turf on April 17th at 1:00 pm and practice driving opportunities will follow until 5:00pm. The final driving evaluation will be on April 19th at LandPro Equipment in Clymer and Larry Romance in Sheridan, with times to be determined after the start of class.

Pre-registration is required prior to March 31st. Cost for registration is $25 per 4-H youth and $35 per non-4-H youth. Register by going to https://pub.cce.cornell.edu/event_registration/main/events_landing.cfm?event=2025_Tractor_Safety_206 , or by contacting 4-H Educator Josie Laurie, by email jla298@cornell.edu or call (716) 664-9502 Ext. 216.

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 Youths.

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

The 4-H 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.

Last updated April 18, 2025