Farm Background– Foundation For Life
If the proposed Dept. of Labor regulations on child farm labor were in effect while I was growing up, I would have missed out on many important learning opportunities that have helped me to mature into the responsible, hardworking adult that I am today.
I grew up on a Michigan family owned and operated farm, and at eight years old I started driving our family’s John Deere B. Dad would give me the responsibility of driving the tractor in hay fields, while he would toss fragrant, rectangular bales of hay up to my older brother who would neatly stack them six layers high. I remember dad delegating dragging responsibilities to me after he completed the plowing of fields.
We were not financially well off on our family farm and if I needed spending money I would go to neighboring farms, drive their tractor, and perform various barn chores. I worked around a wide array of farm animals, milked cows, fed horses, mowed lawns, and used scores of power tools to clear fence rows and dig out stumps. These duties and responsibilities taught me the value of hard work and helped form the foundation for my productive, disciplined adulthood.
Under the proposed Dept of Labor regulations this would all be prohibited. The regulation would limit the age, type and amount of work our youth can perform on family farms and neighboring farms even if these farms are owned by grandparents, uncles or aunts. These regulations would take the decision making responsibility away from mom and dad and turn it over to political bureaucrats.
This is a huge mistake and yet another example of governmental regulations run amok. I look back on my farm upbringing with pride, joy and a profound sense of gratitude. The skills, lessons and traditions I experienced as a youth working on a farm directly led to my professional success. I would not want any child to be deprived of these same opportunities.
The proposed Dept. of Labor rules may be well intentioned, but they would be tremendously detrimental to all of our state’s farm families and youth.
Michael Trebesh, CPA
President of Farm Bureau Haymakers