Area farmers hail grassroots effort on child labor ruling

Contributed

Farmers and ranchers in Bandera County were thrilled over the US Department of Labor ruling over child labor earlier this year.

"This was a perfect example of what farmers and ranchers can do when they stand together and speak out," said Barbara Mazurek, Bandera County Farm Bureau president.

In April, the Labor Department called off the push to regulate teenagers working on the nation's farms and ranches. Washington labor officials withdrew the proposal after the overwhelming outcry from the agricultural community.

Mazurek said the credit belongs to those who made phone calls, wrote emails and letters and testified before Congress in opposition to the agency's proposal to curb youth activities on the farm.

"If you want to know just how significant a unified voice can be, just look at this," Mazurek said.

"Safety is the highest priority for every farmer I know in this area.

When it comes to our kids, we take it very seriously."