Youth Tractor Safety Class Expands

A grant from Rural Mutual Insurance Company is helping Madison College Watertown expand access to its Youth Tractor Safety Program.

The $600 grant offsets the cost for youth to participate in the popular five-session course, making the training accessible to families across the region.

Youth learn to safely operate tractors and farm machinery, including maintenance and safety checks, hazard recognition and correction, general farm safety knowledge and tractor driving skills.

Youth who complete the course become certified in compliance with Wisconsin Act 455 to operate tractors or self-propelled machinery for their own family on public roads. The certification also meets U.S. Department of Labor requirements for youth ages 14-15 employed on a farm other than their family farm.

The course, offered in the spring, is so popular it often sells out.

“We’re seeing strong demand for this training because families understand how important safety is on the farm,” said Chelsey Bauer, Madison College Watertown Campus operations manager. “Agriculture is a vital part of Wisconsin’s economy, and support from Rural Mutual helps remove barriers so more young people can gain the skills and confidence to operate equipment safely from day one.”

Rural Mutual Insurance confirmed its commitment to the program, said Jenny Martin, Director of Marketing, Rural Mutual Insurance.

“Education plays a vital role in building safer practices across agriculture.,” Martin said. “As a Wisconsin-based farm insurer, we believe prevention is just as important as protection. By supporting Madison College’s Youth Tractor Safety Certification program, we’re helping ensure more students gain the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to operate equipment safely—investing in safer farms, stronger communities, and the future of agriculture.”