GAP Connections (GAPC) will be hosting a Labor Management Webinar on

Thursday, December 18, 2025 1:00pm (ET) | 12:00pm (CT) 

The labor management webinar is to help employers better understand the Department of Labor H-2A Interim Final Rule (IFR) announced on October 2, 2025.

Kristi J. Boswell, Counsel, Alston & Bird LLP, will be our guest speaker. 

Boswell will cover the key changes in the H-2A IFR including:
• Updated AEWR Methodology
• Occupational Classification & SOC Codes
• Skill Levels
• Housing Compensation Adjustment

Get to know our guest speaker, Kristi J. Boswell

With her farm roots and more than a decade of agricultural policy experience, Kristi provides agricultural and food clients with insights and solutions on legislative and regulatory issues impacting farm businesses and rural America. She previously served as a senior official at the USDA and the White House and advocated for farmers at a national trade association. 

GAPC Grower Members will earn 1 hour of Additional Labor Management Training Credit for participating.

Questions? Contact Amy Rochkes at (865) 622-4606, extension 107 or email arochkes@gapconnections.com

Registration is required in order to receive the webinar link.

The GAP Connections (GAPC) Grower Advisory Committee met November 19 and 20 in Hopkinsville, KY for their annual in-person committee gathering.

Randy Henderson, Swisher International, hosted the committee on the first afternoon.  Committee members learned about Swisher International and toured the facility in Hopkinsville.

Dr. Andy Bailey, University of Kentucky Extension Professor and Tobacco Specialist, joined the group to talk about dark fire tobacco production.

Analisa Boza spoke with the committee about Yepzy.  Yepzy is a financial technology company that services traditionally unbanked guest workers.  Yepzy offers financial services as a benefit exclusively to growers and their guest employees.  GAPC appreciates Yepzy’s support and sponsorship.

The Grower Advisory Committee wrapped up the day touring L&H Farms, LLC, in Cadiz, KY.  The committee witnessed hand stripping, sorting, and baling of some dark tobacco.  Many thanks to Bob Lawrence, Graham Lawrence, and Mason Hyde for allowing the committee to visit the farm and for spending time with the committee members.

Front row from L to R: Stephanie Hosea, Analisa Boza, Amy Rochkes, and Sue Leggett. Back row from L to R: Al Pedigo, John Hardin, Nathan Musser, Jason Crouch, Brent Leggett, Matt Stevens, and Randy Henderson.

Grower Advisory Committee looking on while dark-fired tobacco is being stripped at L & H Farms, Cadiz, KY.

The next day, the committee heard from Allisa Keller, Christian County Historian, on the “Black Patch Wars”; Daniel Green, Burley Stabilization Cooperative, who provided a Global Economic Outlook on the Tobacco Industry; and Kristi Boswell, Alston & Bird, who addressed the H-2A Interim Final Rule announced October 2, 2025.

The committee finished their two-day meeting with a tour of Tobacco Way Farms LLC, Hopkinsville, KY.  Committee members got to see firsthand dark tobacco being fired in the barns and learn about the curing process.  Thanks to Kent Boyd for hosting the committee members at the farm.

Allisa Keller, Christian County Historian, shares stories of the Black Patch Wars.

The GAPC Grower Advisory Committee provides input on GAPC policies and procedures that affect growers, raises awareness of concerns and questions from the grower community to the GAPC Board, and suggests ways in which GAPC can better assist growers.   The committee meets monthly by conference call and convenes once a year for an in-person meeting.

The Grower Advisory Committee members are: John Hardin, OH/WV/IN Burley; Gary Reichard, PA/MD Air Cured; Donald Mitchell, KY Burley; Jason Crouch, TN/VA/W NC Burley; Heather Cansler, KY/TN Dark Air/Fire Cured; Nathan Musser, GAPC Board of Director; Adam Gregory, VA Flue Cured; Brent Leggett, GAPC Board of Director; Colton Gross, NC Flue Cured; Jackson Lord, GA/FL Flue Cured; Matt Stevens, SC Flue Cured; Al Pedigo, Burley Council; and Tim Yarbrough, Tobacco Growers Association of North Carolina.

If you have an interest in serving on the GAPC Grower Advisory Committee, please contact info@gapconnections.com or (865) 622-4606.

Are you a business looking to connect with tobacco growers and increase your company’s visibility?

GAP Connections offers a unique opportunity for organizations and companies that support our mission to engage directly with our grower members. Sponsorship allows you to share valuable products, services, and solutions while helping offset the costs of GAPC’s education, training, and resource development.

We look forward to strengthening our partnerships with current sponsors and inviting new partners to join us in making 2026 a successful year for growers and the agricultural community.

Ready to get started? Send completed application to kwhite@gapconnections.com

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