Youth farm safety camp aims to root out bad safety habits

MINOT, N.D. (KMOT) - For many youths in North Dakota, working the farm is their first job. It can also be dangerous. One farm safety camp is educating teens on how to avoid human error on the farm.

Some of the students at this farm safety camp say they know of someone who’s had an accident on the farm.

Conner Andrews, who helps on his family’s farm, said he recommends this three-day course.

“You get to learn a whole lot more than just farming. You get to learn stuff about electrical. You get to learn everything about tourniquets,” said Andrews.

Students practice putting out fires, handling tools and driving tractors and ATVs.

Bella Winer said that while she’s familiar with operating the machines, there were things she didn’t know.

“How to correctly distribute your weight throughout like an ATV and how to turn without tipping it or anything like that,” said Wimer.

Dan Folske, NDSU Extension agent with Burke County, said they focus on prevention and what to do if there is an accident, especially ones that involve entanglements.

“This is a PTO rig back here,” said Folske.

He said when a PTO, also known as a power takeoff, is running a secondary machine. If the shaft becomes stiff, people tend to step closer to see the problem, and sometimes, clothing or a limb gets caught.

“It happens so fast, and the main theme of our camp is to teach kids to recognize these danger areas and learn how to be safe,” said Folske.

Folske said over the last couple of years, NDSU has scheduled more farm safety camps around the state. On the last day of the course, the adults will bring sheep to demonstrate livestock safety tips.

The course is open to 13 to 16-year-olds.

Folske said if a teen is less than 16 years old and working on a non-family farm, they have to be at least 14 and have to receive a safety certificate that meets Department of Labor guidelines.