(file photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Kids' educational sessions

Farm safety day back at Battlefords Agricultural Society

Mar 24, 2023 | 2:31 PM

Kids in the Battlefords area will have a chance to learn some helpful tips they need to know about staying safe on the farm, during the upcoming Progressive Agricultural Safety Day.

The event will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. May 11 at the AgriPlex and AgriVilla buildings, at the exhibition grounds in North Battleford.

Battlefords Agricultural Society general manager Jocelyn Ritchie said this is the first time the organization has held the event since before the pandemic situation, so she was looking forward to offering it again.

“It’s a good program for the school kids,” she said. “They learn about all kinds of safety – from farm safety, water safety, ATV safety, chemical safety – all kinds of different safety aspects.”

The organizers will also have an information booth set up focusing on mental health this year.

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“We usually try to mix it up. Every year we have different things that they learn about,” Ritchie said. “We will have it in two buildings. In the morning they will go through the stations in one building.”

After that, kids will enjoy a free lunch. Then, in the afternoon the groups switch buildings they are visiting, as they continue the educational sessions.

About 600 school children in Grades 1-6 from the Battlefords and surrounding area are already pre-registered to take part in the event this year. About 150 chaperones and volunteers will also participate in this free program.

Leading into spring, Ritchie said, it’s always important to offer these types of farm safety events.

“You wouldn’t believe what the kids learn, and actually take back to their parents. We had some really good discussions and comments from parents as well as teachers after our program,” she said.

Ritchie added many kids from the Battlefords don’t have any experience in rural living, and need to learn to take precautions, to avoid potentially dangerous situations.

The ag safety event also includes a session on being safe around rural animals, as well as how to look out for blind spots around farm equipment.

“It’s very educational for everybody,” Ritchie said.

The agricultural society volunteers and experts will provide presentations and demonstrations throughout the day.

The program is funded in part through the provincial association— the Saskatchewan Association of Agricultural Societies and Exhibitions, as well as partly through community sponsorships.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow