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Youth observes a grain bin safety demonstration -
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MU Extension specialists Denice Ferguson, left, and Gwen Funk led ATV safety demonstrations for youths at Safety Acres programs.
MARYVILLE and ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Hundreds of Missouri youths learned agricultural safety knowledge through 2026 Safety Acres programs delivered by University of Missouri Extension, the St. Joseph Safety & Health Council and community partners in northwestern Missouri.
Safety Acres programs were held May 7-8 in Maryville and Sept. 10-11 in St. Joseph. A total of 326 attendees participated in the Maryville event, while the St. Joseph program reached 192 student participants and 19 accompanying adults.
MU Extension specialists provided hands-on instruction in PTO and farm equipment safety, grain bin safety and ATV safety. Educational stations helped youths recognize agricultural hazards, understand safe operating procedures and develop skills that can reduce the risk of injuries on farms and rural properties.
MU Extension instructors included Denice Ferguson, Jim Crawford, Amie Schleicher, Gwen Funk, Wayne Flanary, Laura Evans and Madilyn Harris.
Agriculture continues to be one of the nation’s most hazardous industries, making early safety education an important part of protecting youths who live, work and recreate in rural environments.
The spring 2026 Maryville Safety Acres program included pre- and post-program assessments to measure learning outcomes. Participants increased their average test scores from 72% before instruction to 93% after instruction, representing a 21-percentage-point gain in safety knowledge.
“These results demonstrate that youth are learning critical safety concepts and retaining information that can help prevent accidents and injuries,” said Denice Ferguson, MU Extension field specialist in agricultural business and policy. “Safety Acres provides engaging, hands-on experiences that help participants recognize hazards and make safer decisions around equipment, grain systems and recreational vehicles.”
Throughout the events, youths rotated through educational stations, where they observed demonstrations, interacted with instructors and practiced identifying real-world agricultural risks. Topics emphasized injury prevention, situational awareness and safe behaviors around common farm and rural hazards.
The Safety Acres programs were made possible through collaboration among MU Extension, the St. Joseph Safety & Health Council and numerous community volunteers and organizations committed to agricultural safety education.
For more information about agricultural safety programming through MU Extension, contact your local MU Extension center or visit the MU Extension Ag Safety and Health webpage.