Oregon Public Broadcasting

The federal government is debating an issue that hits close to home for many Northwest farm families. The US House held a hearing Thursday on proposed new rules to limit the work kids are allowed to do on farms and ranches.

The US Department of Labor is facing a backlash from farmers and ranchers.

Colorado Republican Scott Tipton says Washington bureaucrats don't "get" agricultural America. As chair of a House subcommittee on small business, he had one of several testy exchanges with the Labor Department's Nancy Leppink.

Tipton said at age 12 he was bucking 80-pound bales of hay for a neighbor, "to be able to learn a work ethic –- my father felt that was important for me."

Leppink responded, "Well, first of all, I don't think the rule we're proposing would have precluded you from bucking hay."

"I was earning a wage," Tipton interjected.

"I know — but this regulation only focuses on the most hazardous occupations," Leppink said.

According to US labor statistics, three-quarters of the children killed in work-related accidents in 2010 were working on farms.

The Labor Department says it will put out revised rules for another round of public review.

On the Web:

Hearing - The Future of the Family Farm:

http://smbiz.house.gov/Calendar/EventSingle.aspx?EventID=276662

Dept. of Labor news release:

http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20120203.htm

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