Farms Are Not Safe For Kids

OK. It is not often that I get up on my soapbox...but an article in my daughter's Scholastic News really bothered me...

I live in Ohio, a beautiful state full of the most amazing land to grow all things delicious...from fruits and veggies to Angus Beef.

I was not a farmer, though I grew up on 4th generation family land, but many of my friends were.

In a neighboring town, they did drive their tractors to school and were "Darn Proud" to be able to do it.

My locker mates on either side of me lived on farms and I know their days started far earlier than mine...and ended much later than mine also.

They were (and are) some of the most hardworking, honest, integrity filled people I have ever met. They work hard, play hard and love better than any group of people you will find.

They have a passion for what they do because they understand how their role sustains our world...and they are so proud to provide this service.

And the government thinks it needs to intervene...We are seeing farmers being arrested for selling milk (Raw milk is illegal in our state!) and the new rules being suggested by the Department of Labor will restrict what chores the family members can do based on age.

Kids under 16 wouldn't be allowed to drive tractors, use farm machinery, or do some kinds of work animals like herding.

And how will they police this? I think there are far more pressing issues that need addressed and I am frustrated that our government is more focused on messing up a family system that has worked for hundreds of years instead of truly attacking issues that are broken.

Sorry for the rant today...Go Ohio Farmers!!!