The problem

According to the US Bureau of labor and statistics agriculture is the most dangerous sector in America with around 23.1 deaths per 100,000 workers. Petroleum power portion of 4-H SET curriculum has long been underused in this county and this was a trial run of the interest with the youth in our county.

The educational program response

It is important for extension to install proper farm safety practices at a young age in our traditional agricultural audience.  For this program I partnered with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (Mr. Dale Dobson) and Dr. Cheryl Witt, PhD, RN. The program used real life stories from the area to try to convey to the audience how important safety is. With that we utilized real life equipment to demonstrate proper procedures. Other than basic safety we also explained the importance to be leader and not be afraid to speak up when you see someone doing an unsafe practice even if it is a superior.

The participants/target audience

Our audience was young people that are currently or plan to work around large machinery, equipment, and plan to be active on a farm. Showing young people, the dangers and telling them real stories is important for them to develop proper habits around their farmyard. This will help them to be safer in their future even if they don’t stay in agriculture most career paths have some sort of danger associated with them.

Other partners (if applicable)

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture provided their rollover tractor and Mr. Dale Dobson gave a short presentation on proper use of farm equipment. This showed youth the importance of a roll bar and properly checking over a machine before use. We also had a local guest speaker come that was involved in a near death farm accident and tell the 4-Hers about his experience, most of the kids knew this man and helped show that these accidents can happen to anyone. Another partner was, Dr. Cheryl Witt, PhD, RN to try to educate youth on the physical and mental tools of life on a farm and how to use best management practices to be a better producer and to deal with the stress that an agriculturally based profession can carry.

Program impact or participant response.

The impact of this program is a small term impact that will allow the youth to be more intelligent and cautious in a farm setting where most of them reside. This program also taught them to be leaders and to speak up when someone when a practice their doing is not safe, even if that person is older than them or a superior. Had numerous parents compliment the program and suggest a lawn mower driving clinic to help youth learn to drive machinery, this is a program that I am looking towards doing in the future.