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COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • DECEMBER 2016
4-H BC partners with safety organizations to keep farm kids safe New videos put focus on tractor safety
by TAMARA LEIGH
RICHMOND – WorkSafeBC, 4-H British Columbia and AgSafe have teamed up to create two new agriculture safety videos that reinforce farm safety information for thousands of young people on BC farms. The videos, which will be shown at 4-H club meetings and events province- wide, promote safe work practices on and around tractors and other farm machinery.
“These 4-H members are the future workers, owners and supervisors of agriculture in the province. We are connecting with them now about safety and giving them the tools they need to keep them safe in years to come,” says Doug Pascoe, the industry specialist with WorkSafe BC who spearheaded the partnership. “We sat down with 4-H BC to discuss how to best get the message out to their youth members and they suggested that we create tractor safety videos that leaders could use and put online,” he says, adding they will be developing resources to help 4-H leaders speak to the videos in the coming year.
Over the last five years, farm vehicles or machinery have been involved in over 430 of the 2,700 injuries in the agriculture sector across British Columbia. The videos highlight key safety points for operating farm equipment, including: • Read and follow the user’s manual for all farm equipment
• Ensure the tractor’s roll-over protection structures (ROPS) are up and always wear your seatbelt
• Always keep three points of contact when getting on and off equipment
• Wear high visibility apparel when working around farm equipment
• Ensure all power take off (PTO) shields and guards are maintained and in place
The videos, 4-H Working Safely on Tractors and 4-H Working Safely Around Tractors, were produced by WorkSafeBC and filmed on location at the farm of Albert and Dena Finlay in Armstrong. Farm owner Dena Finlay has been an active member of the 4-H community since 1957.
Business help for young farmers by TOM WALKER
VERNON – My in-box pings with an email from Michelle Tsutsumi reminding me of our scheduled phone conversation. After we speak about the work she does with Young Agrarians (YA), I reflect that there is some irony in the morning’s conversation. While I am sure every Young Agrarian is more connected and tech savvy than I and a ping from their in-box is a frequent part of their day, it is the personal connections – the sharing of ideas and the socializing – that brings them together.
“That’s how Young Agrarians got started and why they took off,” explains Tsutsumi. “A main thrust is facilitating a personal connection. “Let’s get together in person; let’s share food together; let’s do some
interesting things.”
“As regional co-ordinator for the Okanagan, my main role is to organize farm tours and potlucks and keep the networking piece going within the region,” Tsutsumi explains. “I also organize the two-day mixer event in Kelowna in January.” Twenty-six Okanagan Young Agrarians spent a day in Vernon learning and sharing about the business of small agriculture and how Community Futures can be involved in their plans. Hailing from Kelowna to 100 mile House, many participants were starting up or on the path to farming, including growing cider apples, organic flowers and making cheese. Clint Ellison is a business development specialist who works with the BC Farm Business Advisory Service Program with the Ministry of Agriculture. He shared the basics of farm business planning with the group.
Without plans or on-going records, you can’t analyze how your business is doing, Ellison pointed out. “Yes, farming is a risky business,” Ellison agreed. “But the translation of the Chinese character for risk is actually ‘dangerous opportunity.’
Roll-over protective structures (ROPS) and seatbelts save lives
“Planning will help you take that passion that you have for farming and turn it into a living,” Ellison says. Community Futures loans co-ordinator Rob Short took participants through the business loan application process and showed them how to build and present a loan application. “What I have been hearing from people who attend YA events is that there is a deep thirst for knowledge but there is also a financing funding gap,” says Tsutsumi. “This was an opportunity for people to meet Community Futures and the workshop clarified to me that they are really great for start ups, especially companies or businesses that don’t fit into a box.” One of the participants had an appointment set up with the
bank. See BUSINESS page 39 o
WORKSAFEBC PHOTO
& Best Wishes for a prosperous New Year
We’re working with you to make sure all farmers go home safe. For resources and videos on safe equipment operation, visit
worksafebc.com/agriculture.
See you at the Pacific Ag Show!
from all of us at Watertec
1-888-675-7999
www.watertecna.com
Christmas! Merry
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