According to the CDC, approximately 20 youth deaths occur each day as a result of unintentional injury.   To combat youth safety concerns and to education children in our community on safe practices (at home, farm or ranch), the Allen County Extension Services partnered various community partners to address youth safety.  

With the help of the Allen County Scottsville High School FFA department, Allen County 4-H Teens and Allen County Farm Bureau Federation, we were able to host the Progressive Agriculture Safety Day Program for the entire Allen County Intermediate Center 4^th grade.  Progressive Agriculture Safety Programs mission is to provide education, training, and resources to make farm, ranch, and rural life safer and healthier for all children and their communities.

This year’s Progressive AG Safety Day was hosted on September 29^th at the Allen County Sports Complex.  During this event, youth rotated though nine safety booths, learned about dairy production with the Southland Dairy Mobile unit and enjoyed lunch during their AG Safety Field Day.  There were a total of 232 4^th grade youth in attendance, 25 teen helpers and 8 adult instructors and volunteers that helped to make the event possible.  

When polled, 91.3% of students identified that through their attendance of Progressive AG Safety Day, they learned just as much or more, than they did during a normal day of school.   This response demonstrates that youth were very respective to the information presented and felt like they gained valuable information that applied to their self-growth.  Additionally, 96.1% of youth identified that this was an enjoyable experience for them.  

As a result of the event, one youth replied: “I will not play with objects that are dangerous at home. On a farm I will not play with dangerous or play with a animals when it is eating. On a ranch I will not stand behind a horse that does not know me that well yet.”

Resource: 

Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Injuries Among Children and Teens.  CDC Webpage. 22 September 2021. Retrieved on 8 November 2023 from: https://www.cdc.gov/injury/features/child-injury/index.html