A five-week 4-H tractor safety course mandatory for children ages 14-16 hired to operate equipment on farms not run by their families will begin on Monday, March 31, at Kramer’s Inc. on West River Road in Sidney.

The class will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays, March 31 through April 21, with a written exam and driving test on April 28.

Instructors will be Jeff Bragg of Sidney, Neal Caverly of Clinton, Cliff Kramer of Kramer’s Inc., and Karen Hatch Gagne of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Participants will learn how to safely handle tractors and equipment, identify hazards and to minimize the risk of accidents. The course is open to all; priority will be given to children 14-16 years old. Participants who successfully complete the classroom sessions, written exam and driving test will receive a federal certificate of training.

Registration is required. The cost is $20, which includes books, snacks and other materials. For more information, a registration form, or to request a disability accommodation, call Karen Gagne or Diana Hartley at 622-7546 or 800-287-1481 or email karen.h.gagne@maine.edu or diana.hartley@maine.edu.