Please be on the look out for future program dates!

“Gearing Up for Safety.” Lafayette County is excited to partner with the Wisconsin Youth Tractor & Machinery Safety Certification Program for area youth ages 12-14. Completion of this program, enables youth working for their parent to legally drive a tractor on public roads and 14 or 15-year old’s working for a non-parent employer to drive tractors and operate machinery as a job-related activity. Participants are offered a wide range of information on safe tractor/machinery operation and specific safety guidelines when working on a crop or livestock farm.

If you have any questions, please contact UW-Madison Division of Extension – Lafayette County (608) 776-4820.

March Spring 2026 Gearing Up for Safety Program – Completed

Building Skills, Confidence, and Safer Futures

The Spring 2026 Gearing Up for Safety (GUSF) course hosted by Lafayette County Extension successfully brought youth together for hands-on learning focused on farm, tractor, and machinery safety. This program is designed to help young people build essential skills, increase awareness of on-farm hazards, and develop safe habits they can carry with them into the future.

Throughout the course, participants engaged in interactive instruction covering key safety topics, practical demonstrations, and real-life scenarios that emphasized the importance of preparation, responsibility, and proper equipment use. By combining education with experience, Gearing Up for Safety continues to play an important role in protecting youth while supporting agricultural learning and growth in our community.

Community Support Makes This Program Possible

The success of the Spring 2026 Gearing Up for Safety course would not be possible without the generous support of our community partners. Local businesses and organizations stepped forward to help provide safety equipment, meals, apparel, and financial support—ensuring youth could focus on learning in a safe, positive, and welcoming environment.

Thank You to Our Spring 2026 Sponsors

Lafayette County Extension extends sincere appreciation to the following sponsors for their commitment to youth safety, agricultural education, and community involvement:

Gleason Cattle Company – Teaching and supporting local youth programming and agricultural learning.
Lafayette County EMS – Teaching emergency preparedness, first response, and on-site safety awareness.
Shullsburg Fire Department – Providing emergency response and fire education and supporting youth safety training.
Ritchie’s Implement – Supporting agricultural education and equipment safety awareness.
Jordan Holthaus – State Farm – Investing in community safety and youth education.
Premier Cooperative – Helping promote agricultural education and safe practices on the farm.
United Cooperative – Supporting youth safety through meaningful program contributions.
Wisconsin Farm Bureau – Lafayette County – Championing youth, agriculture, and education in our community.
Mathys Ace Hardware – Generously providing safety gear to help protect participants.
Icon Ink Studio – Creating custom safety t-shirts that promoted safety awareness.
Insight FS – A valued agricultural partner strengthening hands-on learning opportunities.
Avon Locker Plant – Sponsoring meals and helping keep youth energized throughout the course.
Subway Darlington – Helping keep participants fueled and ready to learn.
Casey’s Darlington – Sponsoring meals and helping keep youth energized throughout the course.

Thank You for Investing in Our Youth

Each of these partners played an important role in making the Spring 2026 Gearing Up for Safety course a success. Their generosity reflects a shared commitment to keeping young people safe, informed, and confident as they learn essential farm and machinery safety skills.