GAP Connections (GAPC) recognizes the need to provide tools and resources for growers to build a culture of health and safety in their farming operation with family members and hired employees working on the farm.

In 2024, GAPC Farmworker Trainers conducted 27 customized training sessions and trained over 700 farm workers.  Survey data from farm workers after the completion of training shows 87% of the workers will make changes in their safety practices or habits because of the training received.

A grower in North Carolina said, “GAPC makes it easy for me to train my workers.  They cover everything I need for the Certification Program and by watching my workers interact with the trainer I know they are learning and having fun.”

GAPC offers an extensive list of topics growers may choose from including safety, produce and food handling, labor, and crop integrity.  Topics include the required safety training topics in the GAPC Certification Program plus some additional topics such as Understanding Illegal Fees, Steps for Preventing Communicable Diseases, Housing Orientation for Employer Provided Housing, and many more.

Through the cost-share program, GAPC Grower Members can schedule a two-hour farm worker training for a cost of $200.  That is a $200 benefit!

GAPC is scheduling farm worker training now for this summer!  For more information on the GAPC Farmworker Training, contact Amy Rochkes, arochkes@gapconnections.com or (865) 622-4606, ext. 107.

To ensure a successful certification and monitoring visit, please follow these steps:

GAP Connections (GAPC) coordinates Annual GAP Training to provide growers the opportunity to learn from content experts about the latest crop, environmental, and labor best management practices. GAPC appreciates and recognizes the partnerships we have with the tobacco Extension Educators and Specialists and other content experts to best serve the growers.

In-person training has concluded.  

If you are still in need of training online training is live and can be found on the Grower Dashboard in the Training Section.  

Our successes are thanks to our staff, board, advisory committees, stakeholders, and the thousands of growers and farmworkers who adapt to the evolving agricultural landscape. We appreciate the growers who continually strive for higher standards on their farms. We recognize that this dedication requires significant effort and resources. In return, GAPC hopes Certification provides tangible value, demonstrating that buying from a GAPC Certified Grower means supporting a grower who follows best agronomic practices, prioritizes environmental stewardship, efficiently uses water, protects soil health and habitats, reduces CPA use, and respects workers’ rights.  

We look forward to continuing to serve the agricultural community in 2025.

The tour will kick off with check-in at Hampton Inn North Myrtle Beach-Harbourgate on July 8th from 3:00 - 6:00 pm, and supper that evening at a local restaurant. The first stop of the tour will begin the next morning on a farm in Horry County. We will make our way to some plots in Marion County, then shoot to be at the Pee Dee Research and Education Center for lunch followed by one last on-site stop after lunch. A more detailed tour schedule will be sent at a later date to the email address provided when registering.

Hotel Information:

The Hotel Block is available now through June 8th. Guests can either call the property directly and request a room using the Clemson Extension group rate ($165). Click here to book hotel room. 

There have been some issues with the Hilton website. If it says the block is sold out in a blue box on the website, click on "please click here" and try again.

Please register by June 30th using the link below:

865.622.4606 | info@gapconnections.com | 2450 E.J. Chapman Drive Knoxville, TN 37996