MONROE — Twenty youth completed the 2022 Blackhawk Technical College (BTC) Tractor Safety Training Course held between April 4 and May 17. Youth completed 24 hours of classroom and hands-on instruction in various aspects of tractor safety to comply with Wisconsin Act 455. Act 455 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.”

Participants included: Evan Feller, Monticello; Carsyn Disch, Monroe; Ty Durtschi, Albany; James Blum, Monticello; Johnna Blum, Monticello; Alex Broge, Browntown; Alyssa Broge, Browntown; Jacob Meylor, Belmont; Reese Eichelkraut, New Glarus; Tre Dammen, Argyle; Rosadella LaFrance, New Glarus; Ben Ludeman, Waterloo; Coldan Altmann, Monroe; Jillian Oberdeck, Edgerton; Michael Nyhus, Blanchardville; Garrison Statz, Spring Green; Hayden Scace, Browntown; Tucker Farley, Clinton; Wyatt Grenawalt, Beloit; and Abigail Swiaitlowski, Darien.  Upon completion of the program, participants were awarded a Farm Safety First Aid kit, donated by Extension Green County. Jackie McCarville, Extension Green County Dairy Agriculture Educator was on hand to present the youth with their kit. 

This course was delivered virtually via zoom technology with online required assignments. In addition, the class had face-to-face sessions for driver preparation, training, and testing, To achieve Wisconsin Certification, participants needed to pass both the written and driving exam to successfully complete the program. 

Currently the Blackhawk Technical College Tractor Safety program is offered annually and coordinated by Dustin Williams, Farm Management and Agri-Business Instructor. For more information on the program, please contact Dustin Williams at dwilliams61@blackhawk.edu or 608-329-8210.