(Allentown, PA)– In an effort to prevent agricultural fatalities in Pennsylvania and enhance employment opportunities, Penn State Extension and Lehigh County’s Farm Bureau are teaming up to provide certification for operating powered machinery and tractors at local farms.
The program will take place between March 26th and April 27th. It is open to all ages 8 and up, but only those who are 15 or older may receive a certification.
Participants will learn about a variety of employment opportunities related to operating machinery ranging from snow removal, landscaping and farm hand.
The classroom session will take place at Penn State Extension’s Lehigh County offices located at 4184 Dorney Park Road, Room 108, Allentown, PA, 18104. The dates available are March 26 and April, 9,16,23.
Classroom lessons will be followed by three hands on learning experiences at various local farms, the dates and locations are listed below:
Saturday, April 6
10:30 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.
Buzas’ Greenhouses
3927 Newburg Road
Easton, PA 18045
Saturday, April 13
10:30 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.
Crystal Spring Farm
3550 Bellview Road
Schnecksville, PA 18078
Saturday, April 20
10:30 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.
Haas Farms
2663 Orchard Road
Orefield, PA 18069
A final driving test will be held at Heidel Hollow Farm, 7419 Saegersville Rd, Germansville, PA 18053 on April 27th. All driving tests are by appointment.
Lehigh County and Bucks County Farm Bureaus will be providing full scholarships to residents of their respective counties if they attend the classes.
In 2017, there were 30 farm and agricultural related fatalities in Pennsylvania. 43% of them were from off-road and industrial vehicles or 13 total deaths. 10 of the 13 were deaths related to tractor accidents according to Penn State Extension.
For additional information about this spring, 2019 educational opportunity please contact Penn State Extension at 610.391.9840 or LehighExt@psu.edu.
Information provided to TVL by:
Joshua Siegel
Public Information Officer
County of Lehigh, Office of the County Executive
17 S. 7th Street, 4th Floor, Suite 436
Allentown, PA 18101
www.lehighcounty.org
