DARLINGTON - Registration is due March 7 for the 2008 Lafayette County tractor and machinery safety certification course which begins on Tuesday, March 11, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Lafayette County Courthouse. Participants should enter on the west side (Washington Street) entrance at the UW-Extension Office. The course is for youth 12 to 16 years of age (youth must turn 12 years old by the end of the course).

Wisconsin Law states that "No person may direct or permit a child under age 16 years to operate a farm tractor/self-propelled implement of husbandry on the highway unless the child has been certified as successfully completing a tractor and machinery operation safety course."

Wisconsin law dictates that youth must be at least 12 years of age to enroll in this program. Completing all requirements of the program enables youth working for their parents to legally drive a tractor on public roads and 14 or 15-year olds working for a non-parent employer to drive tractors and operate machinery as a job-related activity. Youth participants are offered a wide range of information on safe tractor/machinery operation and specific safety guidelines when working on a crop or livestock farm.

Youth must meet all of the following requirements to be certified:

• Be at least 12 years old at the time of the course;

• Attend 24 hours of instructional training;

• Pass a written examination with a minimum score of 70 percent;

• Pass a driving examination, which demonstrates tractor driving ability.

Youth who enroll in this program will learn: to increase awareness of safety issues concerning the operation of farm machinery; to identify potentially hazardous situations and reduce the risk of injury; to identify and operate tractor controls, instruments and safety checks; to effectively drive a tractor with a two wheel implement through an obstacle course to complete their certification.

The Federal Child Labor Regulations state that... "it is unlawful to hire or even permit without pay any youth under age 16 to participate in any work activities listed as hazardous, unless: The youth is working on a farm owned and operated by a youth's parent; or the youth has a training certificate which provides an exemption from certain hazardous work activities."

This is a 24-hour state and federal course. Participation in all classes is required. Some sessions will be held outdoors, so dress accordingly.

Cost is $15 which covers cost of the manual, equipment use and insurance. Make checks payable to: UW-Extension, Lafayette County.

Most sessions will be meeting and ending at Lafayette County Ag Conference Room in the Lafayette County Courthouse in Darlington. On March 29, the class will meet and end at the Argyle School. On April 5, class will meet and end at the Lafayette County Fairgrounds.

Session times, dates and locations are as follows:

• 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, Lafayette County Courthouse;

• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 15, Lafayette County Courthouse;

• 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, March 17, Lafayette County Courthouse;

• 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, Lafayette County Courthouse;

• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 29, Argyle High School Cafetorium (joint session with Green County);

• 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, Lafayette County Courthouse;

• 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 5, Lafayette County Fairgrounds.

Meals will not be provided. Students are to bring their own sack lunch and beverage for the March 15, March 29 and April 5 sessions.

Individuals can get more information by contacting Jessie Potterton, 4-H Youth Development Educator at (608) 776-4820 or by e-mailing her at: jessica.potterton@ces.uwex.edu or call the Lafayette County Sheriff's Department at (608) 776-4870.