(Seneca Falls, NY – June 2014) June 30 is the deadline to pre-register for the New York State FFA Tractor Driving Safety Contest at the 2014 Empire Farm Days at Rodman Lott & Son Farms in Seneca Falls, NY. The competition for students aged 14 to 18 will be held Thursday, August 7 at the Northeast’s largest outdoor agricultural trade show.
The Junior division of the contest is open to 14-16 year olds; the Senior division is for 16-18 year olds. The Senior Division winner goes on to compete at the Big E Exposition in Springfield, MA, in September.
Preparing for the annual competition teaches students the importance of learning and using safe farm equipment operating skills. Students complete a written safety exam, a parts identification task, and driving courses with 2-wheel and 4-wheel wagons.
‘This competition helps students test how well they have learned safe tractor operation and driving skills. A strong performance at Empire Farm Days is something they can add to their resumes in pursuit of an agricultural career,’ says New York State FFA Tractor Driving Safety Contest Coordinator Jon Clayson.
To pre-register, contestants may submit their name and age division to Clayson by June 30, 2014 at JClayson@pioneercsd.org. Walk-up registrations will be accepted the day of the contest.
Contest sponsors include John Deere, Kubota, H&S Farm Equipment, New Holland Case International, the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health, Massey Ferguson, Java Farm Supply, Lamb and Webster, American Equipment and Kioti.
The competition begins at 9:30am at the Empire Farms Days event that covers 300 acres with 600-plus representatives of agricultural institutions and organizations; farm equipment and ATV test driving opportunities; DairyProfit, equine and crops seminars; farm safety, live animal and agricultural plastics recycling demonstrations; and farm family life displays. Learn more at www.empirefarmdays.com.