Outreach & Education

The SW Ag Center serves a five state region through projects and programs that target areas of potential risk in agricultural industries. However, we not only target agricultural workers, but also their families. Education and outreach programs offered through the Center include:

Animal Handling Safety
Bites, Stings & Venomous Things
Environmental Safety
Farm Safety
Grain Safety
Livestock Safety
Tractor & Machinery Safety
Pesticide & Chemical Safety

ATV safety and horse safety have received increased attention over the last few months. We plan to tackle these topics next!

We also offer programs for Farm Safety Days.

Tractor Safety Certification:

Did you know...? According to the US Department of Labor, children under the age of 16 are not allowed to operate a tractor unless they are certified by an accredited program or on their own family farm.

The SW Ag Center and Dr. Bob Williams from Texas A&M Commerce supported 3 workshops to certify 44 people as Community Lead Instructors in the National Safe Tractor & Machinery Operation Program. These Cooperative Extension Agents and Ag Science Teachers can now teach and certify youth, 14 and 15 years old, to operate a tractor and implement for employment. This program could also be used to teach a person of any age to operate a tractor and implement safely. Click here to view the Youth Tractor Fact Sheet.

Our first 3-day Master Trainer Workshop was held at Texas A&M-Commerce on April 30-May2. Eight people particpated in the Community Lead Instructor Training on day 1 and 6 people stayed to complete the Master Trainer Workshop. In order to be a Master Trainer, you have to complete the one-day Community Lead Instructor training, conduct one training program and participate in the 2 day Master Trainer Workshop.

The SW Ag Center and Dr. Bob Williams will also host a pre-conference workshop at the 2008 Vocational Ag Teachers Association of Texas Conference in Corpus Christi to certify up to 40 people in the Community Lead Instructor course.

Click here for more information about the National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program.

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University of Texas Health Center at Tyler

Outreach & Education