By By LYDIA GRIMES – Features writer
Students from Escambia County were given the opportunity to attend a farm safety demonstration conducted at the Auburn University Experimental Station of Brewton on Kirkland Road this past week.
The program is nationally sponsored by Progressive Farmer and has been held for the past 10 years. This is the third year the Farm Safety Day Camp has been held at the experimental station. All fifth graders in the county were invited to attend this year. Atmore, Huxford, Flomaton, McCall-Pollard and W.S. Neal sent students to go through the program. Brewton Middle School had a scheduling conflict.
Detra Boutwell is the safety coordinator with Natural Resources Conservation Services.
Students were carried to several demonstrations to learn about safety in dealing with electricity, animal safety, chemical look-alikes, 911 awareness, sun safety, ATV safety and first aid, ambulance service and safety around tractors and other farm equipment. Children were allowed to ask questions and talk about their own experiences and what they have learned during the day.
Snacks, drinks and goodie bags were furnished for the students by local sponsors Escambia County Soil and Water Conservation District, Southern Pine Electric Cooperative, Auburn University Experimental Stations (Brewton), Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Escambia County Health Department, E-911, BACE Engineering Solutions, Kenny's Motor Sports, The Farm Center, Escambia County Humane Society, Magnolia Super Foods and McDonalds of Brewton.