Bernie Thiel, the owner of Sunburst Farms, has been working in agriculture for 40 years. Thiel said he is shocked by government's approach to strengthen child labor rules on the farm.
"We live in farm country,” Thiel said. “Is it like we open up the paper everyday and there is a child hurt on the farm? I can't remember ever seeing that. They take one or two incidences throughout the country and we've got to have all these new regs."
The U.S. Labor Department's suggested regulations include prohibiting farm workers under 16-years-old from operating almost all power-driven equipment. Also, to prevent children under 18-years-old from being employed in transporting raw farm materials.
"It's government intervention into our business and our lives and we don't need it," said Thiel.
Lubbock producers said that kids are not just harvesting crops on the farm, but they are also cultivating character in a safe way.
Doug Hlavaty, Farm Producer, said safety is the most important thing.
"Both of my boys, I’ve got one that is 30 and one that's 27, both worked on the farm,” Hlavaty said. “They both use that on their resumes every time they've had a job and I know that's helped them to get a job because they know work ethic."
Doug Hlavaty said a lot of kids seek him out to do farm work and he sees first hand how the manual labor enhances their value system.
"Most farm kids I know have that work ethic that when they go to work somewhere else they don't mind putting the hours in," Hlavaty said.
Hlavaty said it is hard work but he does everything in his power to ensure it's a safe job.
"If it's too dangerous we're not going to let these kids do anything that's dangerous," Hlavaty said.
After hearing opposition from farming families the U.S. Department of Labor is now considering feedback from the public.
"It's going to be interesting to see when they come out with the new regs and see what they are,” Bernie Thiel said. “I'm sure they'll have another comment period and go from there."
The department will continue to take comments before a final decision on regulations is made.
