According to the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety, agriculture related incidents injure about 33 children a day and claim the life of one child every three days. And while much of Kenton County is urban, “Kentucky: By the Numbers” reports that 28% of land is still considered rural, and that Kenton County is home to 453 farms and the families who live on and work them (Zimmerman and McAlister, 2024). This means a considerable portion of Kenton County youth are regularly exposed to risks associated with rural life.

To address the issues of farm safety among youth and provide safety education to youth living in rural areas, Kenton County 4-H Livestock Club hosted a Progressive Agriculture Safety Day on October 26^th, 2024. During a six-hour day, 4-H volunteers, senior 4-H and FFA members, and knowledgeable community members gave presentations with an emphasis on preventing unsafe conditions. All presentations included either an activity, a demonstration, or a hands-on component.  Topics covered include:

As a result, 4-H members learned how to identify and deal with hazards on the farm, how to take responsibility for their own safety, respect parent’s safety rules, and share safety tips with their family and friends. Approximately 80% of attendees (including youth presenters) reported via informal survey that they had learned something new about how to stay safe in their rural area.

The Kenton County 4-H’s Progressive Agriculture Safety Day was hosted in collaboration with the Progressive Agriculture Foundation, who provided coordinator training and curriculum, the Kenton County Fair Board, who allowed the 4-H Livestock Club to use their facility, and the Simon-Kenton High School FFA Advisor, who recruited student volunteers to prepare presentations for the event. In addition, members of the Kenton County Fair Board coordinated with Donato’s Pizza to provide lunch for attendees, as well as Kenton Equipment, who supplied farm equipment to demonstrate safety features on. This program was made possible by exemplary community support for the health and safety of Kenton County youth.

References:

National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety (2022). 2022 Fact Sheet – Childhood Agricultural Injuries. Marshfield Clinic Health System, Marshfield WI. doi.org/10.21636/nfmc.nccrahs.injuryfactsheet.r.2022.

Zimmerman, J. N., & McAlister, C. (n.d.). 2024 County Profiles. Retrieved from https://kybtn.ca.uky.edu/kybtn-data-series/2024-county-profiles.

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