ROCK SPRINGS — What teenager would possibly know the answers to such diverse questions as “How do you decontaminate soil saturated with a hazardous chemical,” “How quickly can a person be killed in a tractor rear overturn,” and “What is the potential room temperature at eye level during a fire?”
4-H contestants in the Pennsylvania Agricultural Safety and Health Quiz Bowl, that’s who. The event is held each year in August at Ag Progress Days in Rock Springs and at the following state Farm Show in Harrisburg.
Two of the four teams advancing to the state finals are from the Central Susquehanna Valley. They are the Union County 4-H and Snyder County 4-H. Others advancing are the Cumberland County 4-H and Huntingdon County 4-H.
Teams representing 4-H clubs compete in a quiz show format to demonstrate their knowledge about farm safety and health hazards and recommended practices. The youths have to study a range of resources such as the National Safe Tractor & Machinery Operation Program Task Sheets, National Agricultural Safety Database Web site, Pesticide Education Manual and Penn State Agricultural Safety Fact Sheets. Participants not only learn about farm safety and health, they increase their leadership and public speaking skills and learn how to promote agricultural safety and health through their organizations.
4-H clubs fielded five teams and competed in a semi-final competition. The top four teams compete during the FFA Quiz Bowl State Finals at the 2010 Farm Show.
The bowl is administered by the Pennsylvania State University Agricultural Safety and Health Program and the state Department of Agriculture, Division of Health and Safety. Financial supporters include Westfield Insurance, CNH America LLC, Farm Family Insurance Co. and AgChoice Farm Credit.
