By DOUG GRAVES

Ohio Correspondent

HAMILTON, Ohio — For many at the three-hour Women’s Tractor Operation & Safety Program, it was a chance to learn how to operate and maintain their tractor on the farm.

For several women it was a necessity, as they were taking over farm operations after the death of a spouse. A few other women were starting from scratch with a mini farm, and wanted to learn the basics.

“I attended to learn how to operate a zero-turn lawn mower on my mini farm,” said Midge King of Okeana.

Esther Williams and her family have owned 35 acres near Trotwood since 1961. “I came to learn tractor operation and safety, with the anticipation of purchasing a new tractor in the near future,” she explained.

Janelle Duncan of Williamsburg had loftier goals. “I attended to learn how to drive a tractor with a hydraulic loader,” she said. “Right now we have a mini farm, but in 10 years I want to own and operate 100 acres. This is the place to start learning.”

The 20 students spent just three hours on the grounds of the Brown’s Family Farm Market in Hamilton, but much was learned in those 180 minutes, starting with a tractor parts identification refresher, followed by tractor safety discussion, the driving and operation of sub-compact tractors, utility tractors with loaders, mid-size tractors and zero-turn mowers and an emphasis on safety.

Russell Beckner with Southwest Ohio Family Farm Safety was there with displays emphasizing safety on the farm.

“We’ve learned that women are interested in getting involved with ag-related businesses, whether it’s a specialty crops or playing a larger role on the farm. And safety is of the upmost importance,” said Cindy Meyer, Ohio State University extension specialist in Butler County.

She said the event was to empower women to become more comfortable with agricultural equipment, have a greater knowledge of general operation and be more safety-minded while operating equipment. Women operated 14 percent of all U.S. farms in 2012, up from 5 percent in 1978, according to the USDA.

“Women live longer than men, so we’re seeing a lot of farming widows,” noted Jennifer Filipiak, a natural resources conservationist with the American Farmland Trust, a nonprofit that promotes conservation practices on farms. “By 2030, older women may own 75 percent of transferred farmland.”

People who suddenly find themselves the principal operators of farms realize they have to negotiate with banks, insurance companies, fertilizer dealers or property tax assessors. According to the Ohio Department of Agriculture, farming is more dangerous than mining or heavy construction, which is why safety was so incorporated into this tractor program.

“Safety on the farm is so important, and we want these women to grasp hold of that,” said Lisa Pfeifer, education program manager and specialist in ag health and safety at OSU. “We’re starting to pick up and implement safety at these women’s tractor events, as women’s ownership of the farm increases steadily.”