Posted: 11.01.2011

If you're truly farming as a family - you might want to watch developments on a new "Child Labor Law" gaining momentum in Washington.

Karen Geffert, Government RelationsLegislative Affairs Coordinator for the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation says the new laws would eliminate a lot of help from young people in a farming operation.  "The Department of Labor is proposing changes for youth working on farms.  Some of the specific changes impacts would be that unless a youth is directly related to the owner or operator of the farm - they could not work on the farm.  That means not even extended family like neices and nephews would  be able to work on the farm."  Geffert says given the fact that many Wisconsin family farms involve multi-generational operators - this law is unacceptable.

Geffert says they've been successful in getting an extension on the comment period for this "Child Labor Law"  - with the U.S. Department of Labor accepting comment until Dec. 1st.  She says it's critical that all Wisconsin farming operations share how this law would impact their operation - tell their story.

Some of the other components of the law that could impact Wisconsin farms include:
**Youth would be limited to work 6 feet and lower.  That means working in a hay mow - work like handling livestock and driving tractors would be severly limited or eliminated.
**Any student learner that wants to work on a farm would be required to complete a 90 HOUR course.

Geffert says the bottom line is any work an average Wisconsin farm by youth would be limited.  For growers to comment - go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=WHD-2011-0001-0001

Be patient - the link takes a moment to load, but also provides you with not only background information on the proposed law, but also a mechanism to send your comments.  Deadline again is December 1st.

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