The 2012 Tractor Safety Class will be held June 18-21 at the Rusk County Fairgrounds in Ladysmith. Classes will run from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm each day. The class will conclude with the written and driving tests on Thursday afternoon.

Wisconsin laws require youth under the age of 16 to have a training certificate if they operate a tractor or self-propelled farm implement on a public road, even if working for a parent or guardian.

In addition, federal law prohibits hiring or even allowing any youth under the age of 16 to participate in any hazardous work activities, including operating tractors over 20 PTO horsepower, unless the youth has a training certificate or is working on a farm owned and operated by his or her parent or guardian.

There is often some confusion about when youth are eligible to take tractor safety certification training. To clarify, this training is designed and required for youth:

• under the age of 16 who will be operating tractors or self-propelled implements of husbandry on a public road under direction of their parent or guardian for work related to their family farm operation, or

• ages 14 -15 who will be employed or working without pay on a farm other than their family farm and completes the requirements for a federal certificate of training.

The minimum age requirement for this class, as set in WI Act 178 effective May, 1998, is 12.

The course and literature are geared towards 14-15 year olds. This doesn't restrict someone age 12 or 13 from taking the course, but the material may be more difficult for a younger individual. Certification will not be valid until the youth turns 14. Also, youth who do not pass the written and driving exams will need to retake the course.