Safety on rural highways took center stage at the Buckingham Farm Bureau Annual Meeting with three FFA officers presenting their interactive program, “Slow Moving Vehicle Safety.” Piper Scialdo, Abigail Palmore, and Skylar Saulisbury comprised the chapter’s Safety Committee, which organized and presented the material.
The presentation kicked off by engaging the 105 producers in attendance with reflective questions about their own practices when preparing or driving a slow-moving vehicle (SMV). Designed with the S.A.F.E.R. program in mind, the session offered important reminders and practical tips on operating tractors, wagons, and other farm equipment safely on county roads.
“We chose this topic because our county is rural, and it’s common to see tractors, hay equipment, and wagons on the highway any day of the week,” Abigail explained. “We wanted to focus on protecting our producers by reminding them of their responsibilities when operating an SMV. These reminders could help reduce accidents and prevent farmers from being found at fault in collisions.”
The program was carefully developed by the chapter’s Safety Committee, which saw the Farm Bureau Annual Meeting as the perfect opportunity to reach a large audience. Initially aiming to connect with 50 producers, the presentation exceeded expectations, reaching more than 100 participants.
The goal of the presentation was to provide reminders and tips for operating SMVs on the highway. Producers left with heightened awareness of safety precautions and a renewed commitment to making changes. The FFA officers hope the session will spark ongoing improvements in farm safety, ensuring that local farmers continue their work without becoming statistics in SMV-related accidents.