VERSAILLES, Ky. — For those who live in rural areas – and in Kentucky that’s most of the population – meeting farm machinery on the road is expected, especially at planting and harvesting times.
It isn’t always greeted with open arms by motorists, but thanks to a road sign project in Woodford and Scott counties, those traveling country byways will get a friendly reminder that the road needs to be shared with farmers and bicyclists.
Woodford County Sheriff Wayne Wright said the signs are intended to keep everyone on those roads safe and remind motorists to share the space. The idea began when he was contacted by a local farmer concerning the problem. From there it grew into a public awareness campaign.
In addition to help from the sheriff’s department, the "From Pedals to Plows" initiative has gained momentum with the assistance of organizations like the local transportation department, the Scott County sheriff’s office and Woodford County Farm Bureau.
"It tells people to be kind, considerate and patient because everybody wants to ride the scenic roads of Woodford County and Scott County, but that’s where farmers are going to and from their fields," he said. "We wanted to educate the public about being aware not only to the people on bicycles but also farm equipment."
The signs are beginning to go up along rural roads to alert the public to bicyclists and farmers are in the area.
"Our road department is making the signs free of charge and putting six to eight of those up now and, as the funds become available, we plan on trying to put that many more up next year," said Wright. "Right now we’re trying to target the roads where we have had the most complaints about tractors or bicycles."
He added many of the roads cannot be widened and often, if farmers will notify them about moving big equipment on those roads, he or his staff will go out to escort those vehicles.
Woodford County is home to some of the most productive farmland in the state, as well as being the epicenter of the Thoroughbred farm world, with many world-class horse operations. Because of this, sightseers are plentiful in this part of the state.
The Farm Bureau board of directors President Patty Perry said with so much tourism coming to the area, the signs are a welcome addition to the scenery. She recalled upon taking over as president of the board getting a recommendation from a local farmer about the possibility of just such signage.
"The main reason for this is to not only protect our farmers, but here in Woodford County we have so many tourist destinations that are rural in nature. Some are on small country roads and people who aren’t familiar with these roads need to be made aware for their safety, also," she said.
Perry said a committee has been put together to make recommendations of where the signs need to be. Local farmer Rick Wallin is chairing it and is who originally made the requests for signs. He said the most important thing about this project is safety.
"People take for granted the bicycles and agriculture equipment could go faster, and we can’t and that’s the reason I feel the drivers will read the signs and give us some courtesy," Wallin said. "We’re out there to help them and to feed them. All their food comes from farmers and we don’t like to be on the road any more than we have to. For safety’s sake I hope everyone realizes that."
Dale Dodson, safety program coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, said the issue of sharing the road is something he has been talking about for the last couple of years.
"’Share the road’ is a big issue in the state of Kentucky as equipment has gotten bigger, the public is in a bigger rush than ever before and everybody has a cell phone in their hand," he said. "Everyone has to take time to share the road."
Dodson added that goes for both the farmer and non-farmer – and Wallin said the only hand sign people should give a farmer on the road is a thumbs-up.
