Thank you to everyone who joined us for AWDC’s Labor Roadshow IX and helped make this year’s program such a success.
Over the course of two webinars and four in-person meetings across New York State, farm owners, managers, and ag service providers came together to learn, ask questions, and share experiences around today’s most pressing labor challenges.
From immigration and family preparedness to compliance updates, unionization, employee engagement, housing operations, and communicating with regulators and the public, our speakers delivered timely, practical insights designed to support strong, compliant, and positive farm workplaces. We are deeply grateful to our dynamic presenters, panelists, partners, and hosts who shared their expertise, as well as to the participants whose thoughtful questions and discussions made each session meaningful.
Your engagement reinforces the importance of ongoing education and collaboration in agricultural workforce development. Thank you for being part of Labor Roadshow IX—we look forward to continuing the conversation and supporting New York farm employers in the year ahead.
Labor Roadshow IX – Presenter Highlights
Varvara Chinenova (New York Immigration Coalition) shared practical guidance on immigration and family preparedness, helping farm families and employees plan for unexpected enforcement actions.
Michael Sciotti (Barclay Damon) addressed the legality of employee video monitoring and provided timely updates on immigration enforcement and employer responsibilities.
Joshua Viau (Fisher Phillips) delivered an overview of unionization trends in New York agriculture and best practices for employers navigating organizing activity.
Richard Stup and Lucas Smith (Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development) led sessions on preparing for federal and state enforcement actions and concluded the Roadshow with key takeaways and reminders for farm employers.
Timothy Connick (NYS Public Employment Relations Board) provided an update on farm unionization and PERB’s role in labor relations.
Mary Slattery and NYSDOL Division of Compliance & Education staff presented compliance updates, including Sick & Safe Leave, housing and wage deductions, retaliation prevention, and enforcement priorities.
Kaitlyn Lutz (Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development) shared strategies for improving employee engagement and building a positive workplace culture.
Emma Swarthout, Beth Meyer, and Kelsey O’Shea (American Dairy Association Northeast) offered guidance on communicating labor issues with the public and elected officials.
Producer panelists shared real-world insights on farm emergency planning.
Jay Canzonier (Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development) and Susannah Krysko (Cornell Integrated Pest Management) covered employee housing costs and practical pest management strategies.
Questions?
- About program: cu-agworkforce@cornell.edu
- About registration/payment: office@nedpa.org
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
