Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) have introduced legislation, “Preserving America’s Family Farm Act,” which would prevent the Department of Labor (DOL) from enacting its proposed restrictions on youth farm workers.  Senator Thune said, “The Department of Labor has proposed 85 pages of unreasonable and overreaching rules that would unnecessarily restrict the participation of young people in agriculture- related activities.  Family farms and farming communities teach young people responsible work ethics and these proposed rules would change that by severely limiting the commonplace activities in which young people can learn about agriculture.”  Last year, DOL proposed rules that would restrict family farm operations by prohibiting youth under the age of 18 from being near certain age animals without adult supervision, participating in common livestock practices, such as vaccinating and hoof trimming, and handling most animals more than six months old, which would severely limit participation in 4-H and FFA activities. It would also restrict their youth farm safety classes, operating farm machinery over 20 PTO horsepower, completing tasks at elevations over 6 ft. high and working at stockyards and grain and feed facilities.  Thirty-six senators joined as co-sponsors of the legislation.