The County of Stettler ASB has unanimously approved $2,718 for farm safety education delivered by the Heartland Training & Support Hub.

The organization, formerly known as the Farm Safety Centre, requested funding based on $4.50 for each student reached through its Safety Smarts program during the 2025-26 school year.

The program delivered 30 presentations to 604 students at eight schools in the County of Stettler.

Safety Smarts offers age-appropriate presentations for students from kindergarten through Grade 6. Topics include safe play areas, water and ice safety, hearing protection, livestock, agricultural chemicals, machinery, personal protective equipment and all-terrain vehicle safety.

Since 2016, the organization reports delivering 335 presentations to 7,148 students in the County of Stettler.

Across Alberta, instructors delivered 1,331 presentations to 25,682 students at 256 schools during the 2025-26 school year.

The county’s most recent contribution was $4,194, received by Heartland in April 2026. During the meeting, it was explained that the previous contribution arrived late in the organization’s scheduling process and that many of the available presentation dates had already been booked.

Council supported the program’s coverage of farm machinery, grain bins, pond ice and ATV use, noting the lessons also have value for children who do not live directly on farms but regularly visit rural properties.

The board also discussed the distribution of presentations among county schools. Members asked that the organization consider rotating visits so schools that cannot be accommodated during one year receive an opportunity the following year.