[AT] DOL regulations discussion continued

[Grant Brians]

As an active farmer and having children, I have a keen interest in the new
proposed regulations restricting minors from most ag occupations. I found
the best articulation of the basics of the issue in this Western Farm Press
online article:

http://westernfarmpress.com/government/grange-stands-against-proposed-child-
labor-regulations

A point which has been generally lost is that if a family farm is
incorporated or a partnership in LEGAL structure, then by the DOL new
definitions, it is no longer subject to the family exemption. Another issue
is that there has become a lack of understanding that if kids are visiting
their parents in a farm field (say when the family lives on or adjacent to
the farm) that they are not "working" for the farm.

Another issue which is highlighted well in the Farm Press Grange article, is
one that would have applied to me as a young teenager. I learned how to move
irrigation pipe, drive certain tractors, plant vegetables with preceision
planters (all of which has been extremely useful to me as a farmer both
during my teens and since) by working for the farmer who initially rented
the land we moved to. I was 13 and 14 years old, far below the "allowed age"
in these new regulations, but yet those experiences were really useful and
very good for me. Our children have friends who are clamoring to do things
on the farm because they want to learn, but I cannot let them do because the
regulations we currently have that are looser than the proposed ones
prohibit me allowing them to do so! There is no economic benefit to me to
teach these kids, but I would do so because it is the right thing to do!
Where will the next generation of farmers come from?

Sigh.
        Grant Brians
        Hollister,California farmer