Youth tractor/machinery safety training offered

The Marinette and Oconto county office of UW-Madison, Division of Extension, is offering certification training for the youth Tractor & Machinery Safety permit. Youth between the ages of 12 and 16 need to have this certification to be able to legally drive any type of farm implement or tractor on public roadways when working for their family farms, or other farms after the age of 14. Youth not having a driver’s license should also have the certification for farm insurance purposes.

Training will be conducted via a combination of self-study, live webinar/teleconference opportunities, individual conversations as needed and one in-person testing and skills building day. This certification format will allow for schedule flexibility for farm families, but it will also require family members to assist their student learners with on-farm skill tasks that will be part of the assignments.

Scott Reuss, Marinette and Oconto County agriculture agent, is facilitating the course and overseeing students at the testing and skills building portions. There is a registration fee of $40, which includes all course training materials and the in-person day. Registration for the course continues through July 22. It is recommended that families register their youth as soon as possible to give their students as much time as possible to conduct the self-study portions of the course.

To register, email the students’ name, mailing address, contact phone number, birth date and student and parent email addresses to scott.reuss@wisc.edu. Reuss will send an invoice for the registration fee along with forms that need to be signed to begin the course. Any family needing youth to be certified but lacking reliable internet capacity should contact Reuss at 715-732-7510 to discuss the training methods allowed for their youth to successfully take the course this summer.

The testing days will be Aug. 5 and/or 6 at the Pound Town Hall, in Coleman. All other portions of the course will occur at the youth’s home or farm on which they are currently assisting and having access to equipment. Any questions about eligibility or requirements for training, or the course methodology this year can be directed to Reuss.