Farmers overwhelmed by DOL’s 3,000 pages of new rules

Apr 29, 2024

By Farms.com

The U.S. Department of Labor has added another 600 pages to its list of rules for farmers, reaching a staggering total of 3,000 pages in the last 18 months. This volume of regulations is raising significant concerns within the agricultural community regarding the feasibility and justification of such measures.

Expressing the sector's frustrations, Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation, criticized the latest rule for its broad assumptions about farmer conduct and the impractical burden it places on agricultural employers. Duvall emphasized that while the intention to protect farm workers from abuse is universally supported, the approach taken by the DOL is overwhelming and presumes wrongdoing across the board.

Farmers are finding themselves in a difficult position, needing to hire legal experts to decipher the dense and continuous flow of new regulations. This situation not only increases operational costs but also diverts resources from farming to compliance management.

The challenge now lies in reconciling the need for worker safety and rights with the practical capacities and rights of farmers. The agricultural community is advocating for a more balanced regulatory approach that considers the operational realities of farming.

As the Department of Labor plans further regulations, it faces growing calls from the agricultural sector to consider the cumulative impact of its policies and strive for regulations that are both fair and manageable.

Video: Veteran Farmers: A Legacy of Service in Rural America

Veterans Day is a time to honor the men and women who have selflessly protected our freedoms and values. And for some, the transition from military service to civilian life brings them back to the farm.

At Farm Bureau, we believe it’s important to not only celebrate veterans but also those who continue to make a difference in agriculture and their community. We've partnered with Farm Credit to establish the Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence to shine a light on those who have continued to go above and beyond to serve their communities.

This year, we recognize retired Colonel Joe Ricker as the inaugural Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence winner. Joe served over 30 years in the Army before retiring from the Pentagon and completing tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Since leaving the Army, his commitment to excellence in farming and enriching the lives of veterans has blossomed in a myriad of ways in both his local community of Wilkinson, Indiana, and across the country. Joe grows apples and raises bees on his farm in Indiana. Joe founded “Veterans IN Farming,” an organization, now with more than 1,100 members, dedicated to providing veterans in Indiana with the tools and training to succeed in agriculture.

The American Farm Bureau Federation is an independent, non-governmental, voluntary organization, comprised of and directed by farm and ranch families who engage in all types of food, fuel and fiber production.