Taylor County is a rural county with over 111,756 acres of land utilized as farms and several youth live on farms and operate tractors and/or lawn tractors frequently. 5 4-H’er participated in the Lawn Tractor or Tractor Driving contests or both at the county level.   4-H members performed a safety check, and drove a lawn tractor or tractor through an obstacle course.  The goal is to finish the course in a timely manner without running into poles or crossing the outlined course.  Every year, Taylor County has participants that advance to the State 4-H Tractor and/or Lawn Tractor Driving contests.   The county and state contest consists of 2 wheel and 4 wheel courses and youth learn to wear seat belts, watch the course for safety hazards and how to skillfully operate a lawn tractor or tractor.

All participants performed a lawn tractor or tractor safety check, correctly identified parts on a tractor and lawn tractor and followed safety guidelines while maneuvering the courses. 100% of participants successfully completed the lawn tractor driving course.  

A senior 4-H’er who does not live on a farm had previously participated in the lawn tractor driving contest and had a goal of participating in the tractor driving contest.   He had only driven his grandfather’s tractor a handful of times but last year the judges worked with him by allowing him to practice before and after the contest on backing up and giving instruction.   As a result he won the Senior Tractor Driving competition and was ecstatic.  Although he didn’t win at the state level his self-esteem and knowledge of driving a tractor greatly increased.  His experience in this program has increased his desire to enroll in a local technical school program to study small engines.