Attention farmers!!

Attention farmers and anyone who has family farms or uses kids under the age of 16 to help haul hay, tend to animals, etc. The DOL is looking to put MORE restrictions on kids working on farms. Make your opinion known! We only have until November 1 to give comments.

Click on the above link to comment.



Here is the letter from Farm Bureau

MISSOURI FARM BUREAU FEDERATION
P.O. Box 658, 701 South Country Club Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65102 / (573) 893-1400
MEMORANDUM
October 19, 2011
TO: County Farm Bureau Leaders
FROM: Garrett Hawkins, Director, National Legislative Programs
RE: Urgent Action Needed!
The regulatory onslaught at the federal level continues, but this time itfs coming from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and agriculture is the target. Proposed changes in federal child labor rules, if finalized, will place more restrictions on what youth can do on the farm, increasing legal liabilities for farm families and forcing changes in the way some operators plant, harvest, handle livestock, etc. The regulations would also limit hands-on training opportunities afforded through high school agricultural education programs.
The negative impact of this rule would be felt as soon as it is finalized, and for generations of farmers to come. All farm and ranch employers affected by this proposal are encouraged to submit comments to the DOL and send copies to members of Congress. The deadline to submit comments is November 1.
Background and Potential Impacts:
This rulemaking has been in the works within the DOL for nearly a year and half and is the first significant update to the child labor rule since it was promulgated in 1970. DOL says the proposal continues to exempt family farms and does not provide protections for 16- and 17-year-olds. The changes apply to youth under age 16.
The DOL proposal could affect your operation by:
. Restricting the \Parental Exemption. rule so that farms operated by partnerships and corporations may not benefit. As a result, the rule does not take into account the ownership patterns and operations of family farms because many family farms involve different members and generations of the same family working on the farm. DOL wants to limit the \family farm. exemption solely to the children of the owner or operator of a farm. Other family youth.nieces, nephews or grandchildren.would be restricted in what jobs they could do on the family farm by this rule.
. Calling into question longstanding practices in agriculture, including livestock welfare, planting, operating a tractor, and harvesting of fruits and vegetables, working near grain bins & elevators, silos, and livestock barns.
. Affecting standard education and training for future farmers by reducing on-farm learning opportunities. A student-learner on a farm must satisfactorily complete at least 90 hours of systematic school instruction in agricultural education at or above the 8th grade level before working on the farm.and even then the exemption would only apply to power-driven equipment.
. Setting a maximum height restriction of 6 feet (no work on roofs, scaffolds, elevated farm structures, vehicles, machines and implements at elevations greater than 6 feet).
. Prohibiting young hired workers from engaging and assisting in many animal husbandry practices to include those than inflict pain upon the animal and/or are likely to result in unpredictable animal behavior such as, but not limited to, branding, breeding, dehorning, vaccinating, castrating, and treating sick or injured animals. The prohibition would also include herding animals in confined spaces such as feed lots or corrals, or on horseback, or using motorized vehicles such as trucks or all terrain vehicles.
. Potentially preventing youth from working under \extreme temperatures. (e.g., harvesting fruit) or being paid piece rate wages for such jobs. DOL contends it is seeking input to prevent heat-related illnesses and injury to workers in the field.


. The Department of Labor rule does not take into account the unique organization of family farms being owned and operated by many members and generations of one family.
. Farms and ranches provide a unique educational and training experience to learn about horticulture, animal care & welfare, equipment operation, environmental protection among other unique opportunities found exclusively on a farm.
. Traditional farm activities performed by youth are threatened by this rule.
. Family members and other workers on the farm are protected by numerous laws and regulations. Parts of this rule represent regulatory over-reach. It does not recognize the unique structure of today's family farm operations and the traditions that the family farm provides to all workers.