Boosting Farm Safety with Youth Training

By Scout Nelson

Young workers in agriculture face a higher risk of fatal injuries compared to other industries, with a reported 7.8 times greater likelihood of being fatally injured in 2016. Tractors and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are the leading causes of these fatalities.

In fact, 47% of youth fatalities on farms are related to transportation, including tractor accidents, 20% are caused by machinery, and 13% result from animal interactions. In 2021, the annual cost of childhood agriculture-related deaths was $605 million, with nonfatal injuries costing $1.4 billion.

“The oil and natural gas industry continues to be a major force in North Dakota’s economy, benefiting communities across our great state,” said Angie Johnson, a safety coordinator at North Dakota State University (NDSU). “Taxes and royalties paid by the industry support state and local investments in infrastructure, schools, communities, tax relief and the Legacy Fund, among other areas.”

This year, NDSU Extension is hosting three statewide farm safety camps to teach youth about farm safety. The camps will cover key areas such as tractor and machinery operation, livestock handling, ATV safety, personal protective equipment usage, first aid, and emergency response.

Dates and locations for the camps are:

• May 28-30 at NDSU campus, Fargo
• June 10-12 at Williston State College, Williston
• June 17-19 at Bismarck State College, Bismarck

Youth will participate in hands-on activities like tractor driving obstacle courses, livestock handling, and ATV safety certification. The camps also address laws related to youth working in agriculture and provide training in farm hazard identification, road safety, and stress management.

The certification gained from the program qualifies youth to operate farm machinery and tractors over 20 horsepower when working for non-family employers. While not required for family farms, Johnson encourages all teens working on farms to take part in this program.

Registration for the camps opens on March 17, and the cost is $300 per camp. 

Photo Credit: north-dakota-state-university