The U.S. Labor Department is proposing new rules for child farm workers that would keep many from driving tractors, using big equipment and working with livestock.

Labor officials say the rules are needed because farming is one of the nation's most dangerous occupations.

The National Safety Council says nearly 29 out of every 100,000 farm workers die on the job.

But farmers say the proposed rules could keep kids from learning about the hard work and responsibility necessary to work on a farm.

And, they say, if young people can't get jobs on farms, fewer will develop an interest in agriculture careers.

Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Mike Spradling says he knows there are dangers in agriculture, but there are also many important lessons young people can learn.