The Roadshow delivers essential updates on labor law, regulations, and workforce best practices—tailored for farm owners, managers, and ag service providers. Sessions also focus on practical strategies to boost communication, strengthen retention, and build a positive workplace culture.
AWDC’s Labor Roadshow IX will dig deep into pressing issues that every farm employer needs to understand. Dynamic speakers will present and take questions on topics such as the following:
- Immigration and Farm/Family Preparedness
- Compliance Updates
- Unionization
- Employee Engagement and Improving Culture
- Employee Housing Operational Costs
- Pest Management in Employee Housing
- Legality of Employee Monitoring
- How to Interact with Regulators and the Public about Labor Issues
This year’s Roadshow will feature two webinars and four in-person meetings across the state:
- December 1 – Kickoff Webinar
- December 9 – Elks Lodge, Greenwich, NY
- December 10 – Hilton Garden Inn, Watertown, NY
- December 17 – Cornell AgriTech, Geneva, NY
- December 18 – Genesee Community College, Batavia, NY
- December 22 – Closing Webinar
On December 1, we begin the roadshow with our Kick Off Webinar from 12-2 PM:
- Hour 1: Family Preparedness. Varvara Chinenova, Director of Statewide Service Coordination, New York Immigration Coalition
- Hour 2: Employee Video Monitoring. Michael Sciotti, Partner, Barclay Damon
Our Closing Webinar will take place on December 22 from 12-2 PM:
- Hour 1: Union Update for New York Employers. Joshua Viau, Partner, Fisher Phillips
- Hour 2: Summary and Reminders from Labor Roadshow IX, Richard Stup and Lucas Smith of Cornell Ag Workforce Development
In-Person Program
8:30 AM Registration Opens
8:50 AM Welcome
Richard Stup, Director, Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development
9:00 AM Update on NY Farm Unionization- via Zoom
Timothy Connick, Chairperson, NYS Public Employment Relations Board
9:30 AM Preparing for Enforcement Actions from Federal and State Authorities: Learning Theater
Richard Stup and Lucas Smith of Cornell Ag Workforce Development
+ American Dairy Association Northeast (ADANE) Representatives
10:15 AM Break
10:30 AM Compliance Update from NYSDOL
- NY Sick & Safe Leave
- Avoiding illegal retaliation
- Handling housing deductions and other employee allowances and deductions
- Enforcement priorities for the upcoming season
Mary Slattery, Director, Division of Compliance & Education (DOCE) and NYSDOL DOCE Field Staff
11:30 AM Immigration Enforcement Update and Reminders
Michael Sciotti, Partner, Barclay Damon
12:00 PM Lunch
12:45 PM Employee Engagement and Improving Workplace Culture on Your Farm
Kaitlyn Lutz, Extension Associate, Cornell Ag Workforce Development
1:30 PM How to Talk About Labor Issues with the Public and Elected Representatives
Emma Swarthout, Beth Meyer, and Kelsey O’Shea of ADANE
2:00 PM Break
2:15 PM Producer Panel on Farm Emergency Planning
To Be Announced; may vary by location
3:15 PM Employee Housing Lightning Round:
- Employee Housing Operational Costs
- Pest-Proofing Employee Housing
Jay Canzonier, Extension Support Specialist, Cornell Ag Workforce Development, Susannah Krysko, Community and Urban IPM Specialist, Cornell Integrated Pest Management
4:00 PM Wrap-Up, Evaluation, Adjourn with Richard Stup
Questions?
- About program: cu-agworkforce@cornell.edu
- About registration/payment: office@nedpa.org
Download our informational flyer and share this with your audience.
Registration is open.
$75/person
Cash, check, and advance online payments will be accepted. Each registration includes onsite programming for one event date, access to two webinars, coffee, refreshments, and lunch provided.
Ag Workforce Development Council member organizations include: Agri-Mark, Allenwaite Farms, Amos Zittel & Sons, Inc., Blue Hill Farm, Breezyhill Dairy, Cargill, Cayuga Marketing, Cornell University, CCE, DFA, EZ Acres, EL-VI Farms, Farm Credit East, Hemdale Farms and Greenhouses, Lamb Farms, Legislative Commission on Rural Resources, NEDPA, NY Animal Ag Coalition, NY Farm Bureau, NYS Horticultural Society, NYSVGA, NY Wine Growers, NY Wine Policy Institute, Reeves Farm, NYSVGA, Stauffer Farms, SUNY Morrisville, and Upstate Niagara.
Thank you to our generous sponsors!
Additional sponsors: TalentPro by Pinion and CattleCare
Supporters: Agrimark, Cayuga Marketing, King Brothers Dairy, NBT Bank, NYS Horticulture Society, NYS Vegetable Growers Association, Red Jacket Orchards
