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Tractor safety for a new generation
Alicia Boor
Alicia Boor
Alicia Boor
Published: Mar 14, 2025, 6:20 PM

This summer, thousands of Kansas teenagers will begin their first job working for a farmer or rancher. For those that are ages 14 or 15, they must complete a tractor safety course in order to be legally employed. A 13 year old may enroll in the training if turning 14 before the next year’s class is offered, but the certificate will not be issued until their fourteenth birthday.

To help prepare some of those youth for the upcoming work season. The Midway district, along with the collaboration of the Cottonwood extension district, will be hosting an in-person tractor safety class on April 5th starting at 8:15 a.m. at the Ellsworth Carrico lmplement location 1104 E 8th St, Ellsworth, KS 67439

This course will meet the requirements of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Hazardous Occupations Order for Agriculture (HOOA). The HOOA regulations state that youth 14 and 15 years of age who wish to work as a hired employee for someone other than a parent or legal guardian and operate a farm tractor that is 20 HP or greater must successfully pass a tractor safety training program. 

The course will be held on Saturday, April 5th, at Ellsworth Carrico Implement starting at 8:15 a.m. The cost of the program is $15 to cover the cost of materials for the course. Those wanting to enroll should visit and complete the “Tractor Safety Registration Form.” Enrollment is due by Friday, March 28th for the Ellsworth location

Other tractor safety courses will be held at later dates: April 26th: Beloit, at Carrico Implement; May 22nd: Solomon, KS, at KanEquip. 

Prospective students can check availability and ask questions prior to registering by calling  or emailing Extension Agents Craig Dinkel, Clinton Laflin or Alicia Boor. Craig and Clint can be reached by phone at 785-472-4442, or email, cadinkel@ksu.edu, cllaflin@ksu.edu. Alcia Boor can be reached by phone at 620-793-1910, or email, aboor@ksu.edu.


Alicia Boor is the Agriculture and Natural Resources agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. Contact her by email at aboor@ksu.edu or call 620-793-1910.