Subcommittee on Agriculture, Energy and Trade

The Subcommittee on Agriculture, Energy and Trade held a hearing titled The Future of the Family Farm: The Effect of Proposed DOL Regulations on Small Business Producers on February 2, 2012, in Room 2360 of the Rayburn House Office Building.

On September 2, 2011, the U.S. Department of Labor issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would make revisions to existing regulations pertaining to the employment of youth on farming and ranching operations. The hearing examined these rules so that members may better understand their potential effect on small business farm operations as well as youth working in or training for occupations in agriculture.

Opening Statement:

Chairman Scott Tipton (R-CO)

Witnesses and Testimony:

Panel 1

Ms. Nancy J. Leppink, Deputy Administrator Wage and Hour Division, U.S. Department of Labor, Washington, DC

• Testimony

Panel 2

Ms. Chris Chinn, Owner, Chinn Hog Farm, Clarence, MO

• Testifying on behalf of the American Farm Bureau
• Witness Disclosure 
• Testimony 

Mr. Kent Schescke, Director of Strategic Partnerships, National Future Farmers of America, Alexandria, VA

• Testifying on behalf of the Future Farmers of America
• Witness Disclosure 
• Testimony 

Mr. Bob Tabb, Deputy Commissioner, West Virginia State Department of Agriculture, Charleston, WV

• Testimony 

Mr. Rick Ebert, Vice President, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, Blairsville, PA

• Witness Disclosure 
• Testimony 

Additional Items:

Official Hearing Notice

Official Witness List

Official Hearing Memo

Hearing Video

Press Release