Focused on the needs of women for learning tractor skills, these one day hands-on workshops are offered at Green Mountain College, Poultney, Vermont.  In these workshops, you’ll

• Learn how to build your skills and confidence operating a tractor safely,
• Get hands-on practice with other women in driving and hitching up implements,
• Be mentored by women farm owners and experienced tractor owners,
• Gain experience to plan for successful female farm employment and management.

The workshops cover how a tractor and PTO (Power Take Off) works and the farming hazards and the importance of operating a tractor safely. Hands on activities include:

• Driving Practice – starting a tractor and driving around a course safely
• Hitching on implements practice
• Reversing a tractor and trailer

Register here for April 23, 2017 workshop.

Workshops are limited in number so pre-registration is required.  The workshop does not assume any previous experience with tractors.

Instructor, Liz Kenton, UVM Extension. coordinates the UVM Extension 4-H’s Youth Agriculture Project, offering statewide support to help youth build life and job skills, including tractor operator’s certification. She implements education programs with youth and professionals, and develops resources, outreach materials, and events related to farm and food career development and agricultural safety.

Farm Mentor, Bay Hammond has been the Cerridwen farm manager at Green Mountain College since 2013. She has operated her own farm, Doolittle Farm, for more then 20 years. A well-respected farm educator, she has been an inspiring role model for many young women farmers in Vermont, including her own daughter Hilary Hammond who has started her own farm, Rolling Bale Farm, and will be a mentor for this class.

Instructor, Tim Hughes-Muse has been teaching tractor operation courses in forestry and agriculture for the past five years. In Vermont, he has been the Director of Farm Programs, Merck Forest and Farmland Center since 2012. An alum of Green Mountain College, Tim and his family own and operate Laughing Child Farm in Pawlet, VT.

More workshops will be planned for 2017/2018 pending funding sources.

ANY QUESTIONS: Contact Suzy at suzy.hodgson@uvm.edu

These workshops are supported by the Vermont Women’s Fund.  While these workshops are designed to meet the learning needs and preferences of women farmers, they are open to everybody. University of Vermont Extension offers education and employment to everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status.