Next Monday is the 2022 Becker Forum: Addressing 2022 Ag Workforce Challenges
The event is virtual via Zoom, January 10, 2022. Sign up now so you have time to receive a link in advance. This event is open to producers and representatives from all industry sectors.
Register by clicking here. Becker Forum will not be recorded so plan to attend and participate in real time.
Agenda
8:30 Registration
8:50 Welcome and Introductions: Richard Stup
- Remembering Bob Becker and Paul Baker: Alison DeMarree
9:00 Albany Legislative Update
- Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner and Senator George Borrello
- Producers: Keith Kimball, Jesse Mulbury, Jason Turek, Brian Reeves
- Rick Zimmerman to facilitate
10:00 Overtime and Labor Costs, Compliance and Strategies
- New York requirements and recent developments in other states: Attorney Chris Schulte, Smith Gambrell & Russell
- Producer panel to share strategies and experiences: Alison DeMarree, Julie Patterson, and Dave Zittel
- Tom Maloney to facilitate
11:15 Break
11:25 Workforce Development, Where Will Skilled Employees Come from In The Future?
- Diversified Vegetable Apprenticeship Program which is a registered apprenticeship program in Pennsylvania – Dan Dalton, PASA
- Dairy Specialist Apprenticeship Program, registered with the NYS Department of Labor: Julia Smith, Cayuga Marketing
- Viticulture and Wine Technology Program (AAS or Certificate), community college program with close connection to local ag sector and significant requirement for on-farm learning: Gina Lee, Finger Lakes Community College
- Elizabeth Higgins to facilitate
12:00 What Drives H-2A Workers, Why Do They Choose to Work in the U.S?
- Mary Jo Dudley, Cornell Farmworker Program
12:30 Lunch Break
1:15 Farm Unions and Collective Bargaining
- Farm employer responsibilities and rights with regard to FLFLPA: John Wirenius Chair of the PERB board
- Employer considerations and actions during union organizing: Attorney Hilary Moreira, Bond Schoeneck & King
- Chris Laughton to facilitate
2:15 Washington Update
- Craig Regelbrugge, AmericanHort
3:00 Break
3:15 Lightning Round of Topics
- What are TN workers? Brandon Mallory, Agri-Placement Services
- H-2A Tax Issues: Ashleigh Mallory, H2Tax Associates
- How do you choose legal counsel to represent you with labor issues? Attorney Chris Schulte, Smith Gambrell & Russell
4:00 NY Labor Research Report and Findings
- Christopher Wolf, Ph.D., Cornell Dyson School of Applied Economics & Management
4:45 Wrap Up and Evaluations
To Register, go to www.nysvga.org
This conference will not be recorded and will need to be watched in real time.
