TO THE EDITOR:

One hundred fourteen Wilkes and Lincoln County children ages 6-11 participated in the Farm Safety Camp on Tuesday, May 23. These children learned about fire, electric, gun, boating, ATV, lawnmower, pesticide, seat belt, and farm animal safety, and how to identify snakes.

Although this camp is called Farm Safety Camp, anyone who attended learned something they could use in everyday life.

I would like to thank all those who helped plan, sponsor, and volunteered their time to be there all day. The planning of this camp has been a cooperative effort of the Wilkes and Lincoln County Cooperative Extension Agencies, USDA Wilkes and Lincoln Farm Service Agency, Rayle Electric Membership Corporation, AgGeorgia Farm Credit, Washington Fire Department, Wilkes County Young Farmers, Wilkes County Farm Bureau, Wilkes County EMS, USDA Natural Resource and Conservation Service, Washington Office, and other individuals interested in the safety of our children.

The camp was made possible through the support and sponsorship of the following businesses and organizations: Lincoln and Wilkes County Cattlemen's Associations, Georgia Respiratory Home Care and Medical Equipment, Washington Mini Storage, Broad River Soil & Water Conservation District, Poss Ace Hardware, Anderson Insurance Agency, Washington Rotary Club, Palmer Equipment Co., First Franklin Financial, Farmers State Bank, Farmers and Merchants Bank, Integrative Detention Health Services, Optimist Club of Washington, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wilkes County Stockyard, Wills Memorial Hospital, Kiwanis Club of Washington, Southeast United Dairy Industry Association, Georgia Traffic Injury Prevention Institute, Environmental Education, Rock Eagle 4-H Center, University of Georgia, Dr. Gretchen V. Pettus; Department of Entomology, University of Georgia; Miriam, Dorothy, and Elizabeth Kitchens for bringing their horse.

I would also like to thank The News-Reporter, and WXKT and WLOV radio stations for publicizing the camp.

Thank you again for helping us to put on this great educational opportunity to teach children about farm safety. We hope all the children went home with an increased knowledge and awareness of potential hazards to them as they work, play, and visit on farms.

CAROL JACKSON, Secretary Farm Safety Camp Committee

Wilkes County Extension