Posted: 07.26.2010

Ben Schmidt of the Bangor FFA is the 2010 State Winner of the Wisconsin Association of FFA State Safe Tractor Operator Contest held during Wisconsin Farm Technology Days.

FFA members from around the state can compete in their local and sectional Safe Tractor Operator Contests and must be named one of the 10 sectional winners in order to advance to the State FFA Contest. A contestant must be at least 14 years of age and have successfully completed the tractor certification course or be 16 years of age and have completed at least one year of agricultural education and be enrolled in classes the current calendar year of the contest.

Jake Gehring of Hartford FFA placed second and Nathan Smith of Bowler FFA was third. Other sectional winners included:

Section 1: Mitchell Miner, Clear Lake FFA

Section 2: Cole Hanson, River Falls FFA

Section 4: Jacob Walz, River Ridge FFA

Section 5: Dylan Nimz, Evansville FFA

Section 6: Ben Julka, Laconia FFA

Section 7: Ryan Lewandowski, Thorp FFA

Section 9: Brad Laack, Plymouth FFA

The Safe Tractor Operator Contest involves four major parts - Written Exam, Practical Exam, Two Wheel Driving Event and Four-Wheel Driving Event. In addition, contestants are also scored on safety anytime they are operating the tractor during the contest.

The contestants take a 50 question Written Exam. Questions are asked about anything from tractor safety to maintenance. The Practical Examination consists of the inspection of a tractor for maintenance and safety items. The basis for selecting these items will be a routine daily check-up. Some of the unsafe items that contestants could look for would be the SMV emblem missing, lights not operational, crankcase fluid low, etc.

The Two-Wheel and Four-Wheel Events involve driving courses each with a 5 minute time limit and demonstrating safety and skillful driving.

The purpose of the contest is to promote and encourage safe and skillful farm tractor operation, in addition to providing members an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of tractor maintenance and safety.

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