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We want to hear from you. |
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Stakeholder engagement is a critical part of the success of GAPC and the GAPC's activities as it is ultimately the stakeholders that determine the success of our efforts.
The principles of GAPC's stakeholder engagement include:
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Inclusive: GAPC strives to be inclusive to allow all stakeholders the opportunity to voice their opinions, concerns, and questions by evaluating the environment in which we operate and identifying existing and new stakeholders.
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Trustworthy: GAPC strives to be trustworthy by planning engagements with purpose and sincerity to collect feedback from a variety of stakeholders and by building and maintaining trusting relationships.
- Transparent: GAPC strives to be transparent with stakeholders by sharing proposed changes to GAPC activities with stakeholders.
- Responsive: GAPC strives to be responsive by updating stakeholders when GAPC is reviewing feedback with GAPC decision-makers and providing updates on any actions related to feedback.
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GAPC engages with stakeholders both through direct engagement (i.e. one-on-one meetings and presentations) and through solicitation of feedback through public comment periods. These methods of engagement allow stakeholders to provide feedback on current and proposed GAPC activities. To learn more about GAPC's stakeholder engagement please review the GAPC Stakeholder Engagement Policy.
| Schedule for Public Comment
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Proposals for 2024 GAPC Programs
Open comment period is OPEN till October 24th at 5:00pm EDT.
After reviewing the 2024 proposals, please provide feedback by clicking the link below.
GAPC strives to have public comment periods each calendar year in addition to direct engagements with stakeholders. If you would like to be included in our list of stakeholders to receive notification of open Comment Periods please send an email to info@gapconnections.com requesting to be added or call GAPC's office at 865.622.4606.
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GAPC Tobacco Certification |
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| Summer Weather Tough on Tobacco Growing Areas in Kentucky
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Monitoring Visits will continue to take place until the first of October. Reminders for those participating in the program...
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Assigned auditors will be reaching out to growers 10-14 days prior to schedule the Monitoring Visit. It is important to check your phone, voicemails, emails, and texts during this time to ensure the auditor can reach you.
- The Self-Assessment is required for all operations. This should be completed before the auditor arrives.
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After the completion of the Monitoring Visit, growers should receive their audit report either by mail or email (depending on the preferred method of correspondence selected at time of application) within 72 hours. It is important to review the audit report in a timely manner to determine if remediation is required.
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Remediation must be completed by the 30 day deadline. Instructions on how to remediate any remediable issue can be found in the Remediation Guide. If you have received passing scores, but pending payment to Monitoring Firm, you may disregard the 30 day deadline. Each Monitoring Firm has their own protocols to verify payment and can take 1-2 weeks for confirmation. We ask growers to please be patient. GAPC keeps a close eye on payment confirmation and will issue the Certificate as soon as the Monitoring Firm updates. Any invoice concerns must be addressed with the Monitoring Firm directly.
- After the Monitoring Visit, you will receive a short survey requesting feedback on the visit. We ask to please participate in this survey to help us better the program. Growers will also be asked if you'd like to receive a Certification Gate Sign in the event the operation becomes GAPC Certified.
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Wind, rain, and hail have been moving through the Burley and Dark tobacco growing regions since July damaging what started off as a good crop. Excessive rain with epic flooding along with wind and hail has taken a toll on the tobacco crop in the Jackson Purchase area of Kentucky. Growers are now reporting Angular Leaf Spot is starting to show up in what is left of the tobacco crop.
GAP Connections (GAPC) has been taking many calls from growers asking questions about cancelling Monitoring Visits. Here are a few questions and answers about the steps if you are considering cancelling your 2023 GAPC Certification Program Monitoring Visit.
Question: My crop has been lost. Can I cancel my Monitoring Visit?
Answer: Yes, the reduction of crop yield and quality due to pests, diseases, weather, natural disasters, or mechanical factors are out of the control of the grower. GAPC can cancel the Monitoring Visit upon your request.
Question: What do I need to do to cancel my Monitoring Visit?
Answer: If a grower wishes to cancel their Monitoring Visit, the grower should contact GAPC and request the cancellation.
GAPC asks the grower to alert and notify all their contracting companies of the crop loss before cancelling their Monitoring Visit.
GAPC will notify the Monitoring Firm and make the requested Monitoring Visit cancellation on behalf of the grower.
Question: Are the fees associated with the Certification Program and Monitoring Visit refundable?
Answer: Certification Applications fees paid at the time of applying for the Certification Program are non-refundable.
If the grower has paid in advance of the Monitoring Visit being scheduled or conducted, the grower is encouraged to work with the chosen Monitoring Firm to get the fees for the Monitoring Visit refunded.
GAPC staff are here to assist you. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact GAPC at (865) 622-4606 or info@gapconnections.com
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Wind damage to tobacco crop in Christian County, Kentucky.
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There is Still Time to Take Advantage of the Cost-share Farmworker Training |
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GAP Connections is offering farmworker training on a range of topics including all the required topics for GAPC Certification.
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This training can be done on your farm or at an extension office. It is interactive, fun, and educational and can be offered in English and Spanish. Basic training can be completed in 2-hours with the option to add additional topics and time as needed.
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Have produce on your farm?
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Consider adding food safety topics such as handling and hygiene for workers.
Do you want to discuss the expectations you have in handling or harvesting the crop?
Do you want to discuss the importance of maintaining worker housing in good condition?
All of this and more can be addressed at this training!
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A farmworker in North Carolina said,
"I think the training was perfect because it helped us take precautions in the work that we do during the season."
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The GAPC Customized Farmworker Training cost-share program would not be possible without the generous sponsorships from Altria Client Services, Burley & Dark Tobacco Producers Association, Burley Stabilization Cooperative, Gallatin Redrying & Storage Company, Hail & Cotton, Pxyus/Alliance One International, RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company, Tobacco Growers Association of North Carolina, Universal Leaf, and US Tobacco Cooperative.
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The GAPC Customized Farmworker Training cost-share program is on a first-come, first-serve basis. To take advantage of this program contact GAPC Training Coordinator, at (865) 622-4606. extension 107 or arochkes@gapconnections.com
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| Benefits of Farmworker Training
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1. Increased Productivity and Performance:
When workers undergo training, it improves their skills and knowledge of the job and builds their confidence in their abilities. This will improve their performance and make them work more effectively and effectively.
2. Reduced Wastage:
When workers are trained, they will learn to make good, safe, and economical use of the farm's materials, tools, and equipment. Accidents and equipment damage will be minimized.
3. Boosted Morale:
Workers on farms who go through training programs will feel like they are a part of a supportive work environment where they are appreciated, which will boost their morale and make them approach their job duties with more self-confidence.
4. Improved Knowledge of Expectations:
A good training program will always help workers get acquainted with the farm's expectations, reducing conflict and misunderstanding between themselves and the employer.
5. Better Workplace Environment:
Consistent training will help workers work more effectively in the workplace environment. This creates an atmosphere in the organization that encourages every worker to feel valued and welcomed.
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Events & News from Others |
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September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month |
September marks National Suicide Prevention Month – a month to remember the lives lost to suicide, the millions of people who have struggled with suicidal ideation, and acknowledge the individuals, families, and communities that have been impacted. It is also a time to raise awareness about suicide prevention and share messages of hope.
Learn More.
The Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network-NC (FRSAN-NC) connects farmers/ranchers, farmworkers, families and others working and living in agriculture-related settings with stress assistance programs and resources.
If you or someone you know could benefit from the services, please call (844)325-3276 or email info@farmstress.org
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| National Farm Safety and Health Week |
September 17-23, 2023
The 2021 data for the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the agricultural sector is still the most dangerous in America with 453 fatalities. Fall harvest time can be one of the busiest and most dangerous seasons of the year for the agriculture industry. For this reason, the third week of September has been recognized as National Farm Safety and Health Week. This annual promotion initiated by the National Safety Council has been proclaimed as such by each sitting U.S. President since Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944. National Farm Safety and Health Week is led by the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS), the agricultural partner of the National Safety Council.
Learn more and see full list of topics and webinars offered here.
North Carolina Grower? See what programs NC Agromedicine Institute has to offer here.
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Give it a try...GAPC HR/Legal Helpline |
GAPC has a partnership with Jackson Lewis to provide growers with a comprehensive risk management helpline service carefully designed to help manage workforce employment issues and reduce exposure to employment-related liability.
This helpline is FREE to all GAPC grower members. Growers can access the helpline by phone (833) 499-0275 or email GAPConnectionsHotline@jacksonlewis.com. When contacting the helpline, please be prepared to provide, your name, GAPC grower ID #, location, type of issue, phone, and email (if available).
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865.622.4606 | info@gapconnections.com | 2450 E.J. Chapman Drive Knoxville, TN 37996
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