On a windy spring day, Wheat State Agronomy Club (WSAC) members gathered at Concordia Tractor Inc. (CTI) in Wamego to share important information on ATV safety with area youth.  Youth from four counties were invited to participate. Studies have shown that ATV operators under the age of 16 are 4.5 times more likely than older operators to receive injuries requiring emergency room treatment.  WSAC members envisioned rural youth were at a higher risk of injury and strongly felt the need to reach out to the area community with an educational clinic, “Ride Smart.” Our afternoon began with a “real” story from a current WSAC member and her internship ending, summer-long struggle including a hospital stay and rehabilitation, from broken vertebrae in her back from an ATV accident two years ago.  Club members, through use of a humorous presentation, reinforced to the youth the need for proper riding attire and ATV sizing for safety purposes.  A riding demonstration, provided by a WSAC member who races ATV's, provided a lasting mental picture on proper techniques for maneuvering on a variety of terrains.  Wrapping up the program, participants shared their “real” stories which reinforced the need for this program.  Many of them sheepishly shared a story in which they were not playing it safe and were lucky enough to survive an ATV mishap.