Nov. 25 2011 07:20 AM

December 1 marks the end of the comment period on the United States Department of Labor's child labor regulation revisions.

boy mixing calf milkFor those of us who grew up on dairy farms, working alongside our family came naturally. What was once common practice, though, is being threatened.

As we noted in our blogs, Stop U.S. Labor Department from laying off our kids and Proposed child labor revisions impact family partnerships, too, the revisions that USDOL is proposing will have a significant impact on how we, as dairy farmers have operated and taught our children for generations.

The revisions will restrict our children's involvement in the agricultural industry, especially if the child's parent does not solely own the operation. For many of us, our experience on the farm as children was a learning experience that far exceeded what we gained in the classroom.

To share your thoughts or concerns with this proposal, go to www.regulations.gov and search for USDOL's proposed rule RIN 1235-AA06. Let USDOL know dairy farms are family businesses where our children can live and work safely.