Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Monday, July 14, 2008
Extension class helps youths complete certification so they can drive farm machinery
WEST SALEM, Wis. — There is hay to haul and manure to spread at the Middle Ridge farm Kaylan Everson lives on.
But until recently, the 14-year-old Bangor High School student hadn’t been able to help.
She had been stuck on barn duty and other chores because she lacked the tractor and machinery certification and training required for those ages 16 and younger who want to operate tractors and farm machinery for hire — or for their relatives.
That all changed last month when she and other La Crosse County youth completed the Farm Tractor Safety course offered by the La Crosse County UW-Extension Office at West Salem High School.
Steve Huntzicker, La Crosse County ag agent, said the 24-hour training program has been required since the 1990s and includes classroom lessons and assignments as well as behind-the-wheel tractor training.
“They are learning how to do things and how to do them safely up front, rather than as they go,” Huntzicker said. “Years ago on the farm, they learned from experience.”
And with the decline in family farms, gaining first-hand experience at a young age isn’t always possible, he said. Many students who enroll in the Farm Tractor Safety course will be going to work for neighbors, grandparents or aunts and uncles rather than their parents.
The class was Everson’s first experience driving a tractor.
She fired up the green John Deere 5285, released the clutch and began cruising the closed course.
“It was scary backing up,” she said. “I had to turn and everything.”
Twelve-year-old Jacob Steiger has been trapped at his family’s main farm on St. Joseph’s Ridge because of his lack of certification.
“I’m taking the class so I can help around the farm and drive on the road,” said Steiger, who attends West Salem Middle School.
“I haven’t been able to help farm at our second farm much.”
The summer training has been enjoyable for Steiger because he gets to drive and because of the instructors, including Huntzicker and local high school ag teachers.
Being able to drive a tractor will allow Katie Pehling, 17, who attends Coulee Region Christian School, to help out more by dragging the arena and mowing the pastures at the farmette where she lives outside of West Salem.
“It’s fun,” she said. “We’re pretty much pros.”
Autumn Grooms can be reached at (608) 791-8424 or agrooms@lacrossetribune.com.
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