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Business Title: Proposed Changes In Federal Child Labor Laws Could Affect Life On Jackson County Farms For about as long has he can remember, Jeremy Spink has been pitching in at his family’s farm. On a recent afternoon, he sat behind the wheel of a tractor and steered baled corn husks into his father’s barn in Liberty Township to spread out for four calves — a few of the dozens of animals he helps care for. “You never have your kids do chores; you do chores with your kids,” said his father, Jim Spink, as he watched his son begin to tear apart the bale. But Jeremy, 14, might be barred from completing some of those chores if proposed changes to child labor laws that focus on farm work are approved. Officials with the U.S. Department of Labor have said the changes to the law, which has not been updated since 1970, are meant to protect children and teens who work on farms. They include prohibiting children younger than 16 from operating almost all power-driven equipment and limiting their ability to handle livestock, pesticides and some electronic devices. Children also could be prohibited from working on farms if their parents are not the sole owners. That would include farms where family members are co-owners. The comment period for the proposed changes ended Dec. 1, but some opponents have asked for more time and argue the rules could hurt family farms. “The bottom line is there’s going to be a lot of people in violation of those (changes) if you set them in,” said Spink, a sixth-generation farmer who co-owns the farm with his father and brother. “On a farm our size, we can’t afford to hire labor. That’s what family is for.” That’s true for others, too. “With a small family farm, everybody works,” said Jackson County Commissioner Julie Alexander, who operates a dairy farm with her husband. “Everyone is a team member.” Alexander said their four children, now ages 14 to 24, have helped with daily chores since they were younger than 10 and were given greater responsibilities as they grew older. That creates a strong work ethic and gives young people a sense of accomplishment, Alexander said. There also are concerns that the proposed changes could reduce participation in 4-H programs if youths are restricted in handling livestock. Craig Anderson, manager of agricultural labor and safety services for the Michigan Farm Bureau, said the organization supports safety training and safe work activities, but the proposed rules severely limit opportunities for youths to work and learn new skills on family farms. “This would put us back decades and put the youth who had the opportunity to work on the farm at greater risk,” Anderson said. “Working on a farm is a great activity. You have the opportunity to learn and apply those things that you learned. To eliminate that opportunity is just wrong.” Jeremy Spink, a Stockbridge High School student who typically wakes up at 5:30 a.m. on weekdays to help with chores, said he doesn’t see a point to limiting the work he does. He and his older sister also raise cattle and sell them, with the proceeds going toward their college fund. Jim Spink said it gives his children a sense of ownership and appreciation. They also understand how to work safely, he said. “Everybody said we have to maintain the family farm, but if you don’t give kids a sense to develop that work ethic then you’re talking out of both sides of your mouth and destroying the family farm,” Spink said. “It’s not child exploitation; it’s chores.”
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