A Galway farming leader and a local farm accident survivor are among those backing a new effort to help schools to deliver vital lessons in farm safety education.

Two such pilot projects were launched last week – in Clontibret, Co Monaghan, and Kilmihil, Co Clare – as AgriKids and Irish Rural Link called on communities elsewhere to register their interest in participating.

They have produced a new farm safety education manual designed to support primary school teachers – and members of their local farming communities – with the tools needed to co-deliver this effective farm safety education programme in the classroom.

And that has drawn unqualified support from IFA veteran and Irish Rural Link board member, Maura Canning from Gurtymadden.

“I am delighted that Irish Rural Link are working together with AgriKids in this initiative. Getting children engaged in farm safety early on can help prevent the simplest of accidents from happening on the farm,” she said.

She was backed by Galway-based advisory board member and farm accident survivor, Peter Gohery from Eyrecourt.

“I am very happy to serve on the advisory panel for this initiative. Having as many people from the community involved in educating children about the dangers on the farm will send a stronger message to the wider farming community,” he said.

The manual includes information on how teachers and members of the community can work together to co-deliver the programme; ideas for topics which can be covered; tips for making the information accessible for children; and much more.

It is just one of several new learning supports in development under the Engage, Educate & Empower pilot, a community-led learning initiative in farm safety education.

As well as the creation of the manual on community-led learning, a farm safety gaming app and a video animation to the farm safety song, ‘When You’re Working on the Farm’ are also in development and due for release later this month.

These new resources will be freely available to schools and communities and add value to AgriKids’ existing suite of supported learning farm safety programmes, where the Engage, Educate & Empower ethos originated.

The community led learning strategy has been collated with input from an advisory panel made up of Gardaí, teachers, farmers, community development officers and farm accident survivors, all of which have been involved in or participated in farm safety events in the past.

Their unique insight is invaluable in creating a high impact and relevant resource, so teachers can have support in delivering curriculum linked lessons on farm safety with assistance from members of their community.

AgriKids and Irish Rural Link are now calling for primary schools and individuals in the community who may be invited to their local school to carry out a farm safety talk to register for a training manual which contains all the information the schools and community members need to deliver a relevant and engaging farm safety programme.

Go to https://form.jotform. com/242984653704061 for full details – and schools who wish to find out more about AgriKids and their existing suite of supported learning programmes can do so at www.agrikids.ie

Pictured: Support….Maura Canning.