Madison Reporter

Madison Area Technical College Watertown Campus recently introduced a tractor safety course tailored for youth aged 12-15 years old. The response was overwhelming, with the course selling out within days. Chelsey Bauer, the Watertown campus operation manager, highlighted the importance of the program, stating, "Addressing a significant community demand, this program stands out as one of the few offerings in the eastern part of the state."

The six-class series focused on teaching the fundamentals of safe tractor and machinery operation, including topics such as general farm hazards, personal protective equipment, basic first aid, and first-response procedures. To obtain certification, participants had to pass a written exam, demonstrate a pre-operational safety inspection of a tractor, and navigate a tractor and two-wheel trailer through an obstacle course. The program provided 24 hours of instruction, aligning with federal requirements.

Due to the success of the March class, Madison Area Technical College Watertown Campus has a waitlist for future sessions and is seeking business sponsors to ensure affordability for young individuals interested in agriculture. The college expressed gratitude to donors like Farmers and Merchants Bank of Lake Mills and Mid-State Farm Equipment of Watertown for their generous support in making the initiative possible.

For those interested in sponsoring the upcoming June class or joining the waitlist for future sessions, MATC-Watertown can be contacted at 920-206-8000. More information can also be found on the Madison Area Technical College Watertown campus webpage.