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Extension offers tractor safety course for youth
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MONROE - The University of Wisconsin-Extension will be offering a tractor and machinery safety certification course for ages 12 to 16 years old. (Youth must turn 12 years old by the end of the course.)

The first class is scheduled for 6:30 to 9 p.m. March 14 at Hennessey Implement, 1703 6th St., Monroe, and then moving to the Green County Justice Center on Wisconsin 59 on the east side of Monroe.

UW-Extension states that according to Wisconsin law, no person may direct or permit a child under age 16 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; 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 that provides an exemption from certain hazardous work activities.

Participation in all 24 hours of this state and federal course is required. A parent/guardian is required to attend the first session with the child. Some sessions will be held outdoors, so participants should dress accordingly.

The cost is $35 for Green County youth and $45 for out-of-county youth. Checks should be made payable to UW-Extension, Green County. Fees cover the cost of the manual, equipment use and insurance.

For a list of the dates and times and for more information, contact the UW-Extension Green County office at 608-328-9440, email Ellen Andrews, 4-H youth development educator, at ellen.andrews@ces.uwex.edu or visit the website at http://green.uwex.edu.

The 2016 tractor safety certification course is co-sponsored in part by UW-Extension-Green County, Green County agriculture education instructors, Blackhawk Technical College, Juda Fire Department, Monroe Fire Department, Green County Farm Bureau, Green and Lafayette county sheriff's departments, Carter and Gruenewald, Eastside Implement, Hennessey Implement, Sloan Implement, and UWEX Center for Agricultural Safety and Health.