TULARE, CA – The 9th annual Progressive Agriculture Safety Day® for local students will take place on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the International Agri-Center® in cooperation with the Progressive Agriculture Foundation. According to Kerissa Chapman, coordinator of the event, “Children sometimes see farming operations and livestock as playgrounds or petting zoos providing fun and adventure. But these facilities and the livestock and equipment on them are serious work environments and should be treated with caution and respect.”
The Progressive Ag Safety Day® teaches children how to prevent injuries and reduce the risk of farm incidents. During the Safety Day®, children participate in interactive activities that reinforce the importance of taking responsibility for their own safety, respecting parents’ safety rules and sharing safety tips with their family and friends. The Progressive Agriculture Safety Day® not only teaches children the importance of safety, but teaches respect for the hard work and risk involved in agriculture.
Hands-on demonstrations teach participants lifesaving first aid techniques and reveal the hidden hazards of farm surroundings. Demonstrations focus on Tractor Safety and ATV Safety by Garton Tractor, Stranger Danger by the Tulare Police Department, Electrical Safety by Southern California Edison, Train Safety by Pacific Region Railroads, and Chemical Safety by The Wonderful Company. New this year, the Wilbur-Ellis Company will host a demonstration on Pesticide Safety.
The event is made available to third grade teachers and students by invitation only and benefits from the expertise of local ag professionals. This year, 287 students will attend from five Tulare-area schools. Media outlets are encouraged to attend to help focus attention on improved safety in and around agriculture equipment and sites.
For more information, please contact Kerissa Chapman, Ag Education Manager, at Kerissa@farmshow.org or 559.688.1030.
# # #
In addition to producing World Ag Expo®, the International Agri-Center® is also home to the AgVentures!® Learning Center and Museum, the California Antique Farm Equipment Show®, and the Harvest Festival and has a wide range of facility rentals available for any size event.