Farm families and those wanting to work on farms, received support April 26, when the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) withdrew rules that would have prevented many young people from working in agriculture.
“We are pleased the DOL heard our concerns and now they understand this proposal was unnecessary,” said Mike Spradling, Oklahoma Farm Bureau president. “After months of fighting the proposal, this is definitely a victory for farm families.”
Oklahoma Farm Bureau was a lead critic of the DOL proposal. The DOL received thousands of complaints from the agriculture industry after it announced plans last fall to propose strict, new child labor guidelines on the farm.
“Farm Bureau members have made it clear the DOL proposal was wrong and we’re glad the DOL listened to our concerns,” Spradling said.
The Sand Springs rancher said the proposal could have impacted agriculture’s future.
“If we are to prosper in the future, we need the younger generation to understand agriculture production and having these young people work on the farm fosters that appreciation needed for them to pursue an agricultural career,” Spradling said.
