Wexford school awarded for approaches to Farm Safety

Irish Rural Link are calling on primary schools to sign up for its AgriKids Farm Safety Ambassador School Programme following the successful pilot of the initiative in late 2025…

Funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the now nationwide programme will provide teachers and their pupils with farm safety resources that support the curriculum and champion a community led approach to farm safety education and practice. As part of the programme, teachers are encouraged to reach out to local farmers, vets, first responders and other agri representatives to deliver in school talks and demonstrations.

Carrigduff National School in Bunclody, Wexford won ‘Best School’ as part of this pilot, being awarded by Minister Healy-Rae this week for their commitment to farm safety.

Speaking about the programme, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture, Michael Healy-Rae T.D., said:

“A farm is a wonderful place to rear a family, but safety must always be the priority. Building on the success of this programme in 2025, I am confident that this training will help foster an awareness of farm safety from a young age which can become instinctive. I am reminding parents that they play a key role in developing the learnings by adopting best practice when it comes to farm safety and encouraging children by showing good example”.

About the Programme

Schools will be given the option to choose between two programme approaches, the succinct AgriKids Farm Safety Hour or the AgriKids Farm Safety Day.

The Farm Safety Hour offers a concise, introductory framework for farm safety, covering specific topics supported by resources available on the AgriKids website.

Alternatively, schools can run a Farm Safety Day, choosing one of three themes: Farm and Field Safety, Tractor and Machinery Safety, or Animal Safety and Wellbeing. On completion of each a school will earn a themed pennant, once all three are collected, the school will earn a prestigious Farm Safety Ambassador Flag.