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It's Not Too Late to Let GAPC Train Your Workers! |
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GAP Connections (GAPC) is excited to announce the continuation of the Farmworker Training and Cost Share Program.
Through the cost-share program, GAPC Grower Members who grow tobacco can schedule a two-hour farmworker training for a cost of $200. That is a $200 benefit to growers! If more topics are desired, each additional hour of training will be cost-shared at a rate of $50 per hour.
GAPC Grower Members can work with neighboring growers to further share costs if workforces can be combined for a training session. Coordinating with other growers is a great way for smaller operations to gain more cost-savings.
The choice of training topics is numerous and varied to offer a full and complete package for operations that may be looking for safety and compliance training to meet different requirements. Topics range from general farm safety, worker rights and responsibilities, laws and regulations, to specific topics such as food safety and crop integrity. Click here to view the 2024 GAPC Farmworker Training program catalog to view all available topics.
A farmworker in Kentucky said, “I liked the way the training was presented. It was very entertaining and informative.”
Registration is now open. To take advantage of this interactive and educational training, contact Amy Rochkes at (865) 622-4606, extension 107 or arochkes@gapconnections.com.
Learn More.
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GAPC Tobacco Certification |
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Growers participating in the GAPC Certification program, auditors have started scheduling monitoring visits. To avoid being missed or extra monitoring visit fees, please regularly check your phone, texts, and email for any auditor communications and respond promptly.
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Begin working on the Self-Assessment. Once the application is approved, you may begin working on the required Self-Assessment that must be completed prior to the Monitoring Visit. The Self-Assessment is one per operation.
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Be on the lookout. The monitoring firm will contact you via phone call, text, or email to schedule the visit. You have been placed on their contact list, and they will contact you 2-3 weeks before arrival. Any questions about scheduling or invoicing should go directly to the monitoring firm. Visits will begin mid-July.
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Prepare. Start preparing for the Monitoring Visit by reviewing the 2024 Certification Compliance Guide. Tips for achieving Certification are emailed weekly, or check out our website.
- After 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.
- Is remediation required? Remediation must be completed by the 30 day deadline. Instructions on how to remediate any remediable issue can be found in the Compliance Guide and the Remediation Guide.
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Need help? GAPC staff are available Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm EST to answer any questions.
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| GAP Connections Tools and Resources |
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Keep Heat Illness Prevention as a Top Priority |
| New Training Materials: Illegal Fees |
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The temperatures and humidity are rising across the U.S. making it essential for employers to keep Heat Illness Prevention as a top priority and take precautions.
In a warm environment, especially when physically active, the human body relies on its ability to get rid of excess heat to maintain a healthy internal body temperature. Heat dissipation happens naturally through sweating and increased blood flow to the skin. Workers cool down more rapidly if the external heat and physical activity are reduced (i.e. during breaks or when work is done).
If heat dissipation does not happen quickly enough, the internal body temperature keeps rising and the worker may experience symptoms that include excessive thirst, irritability, a rash, cramping, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke.
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GAP Connections announces new training materials are available on Illegal Recruitment Fees for GAPC Grower Members who hire H-2A workers. The new resource will help workers understand the difference between illegal and legal fees, who may be charging or collecting these fees, and how should the worker report if he or she is pressured to pay fees to a recruiter, agent, worker, or employer.
In Store
The Illegal Fees Tailgate Training kit is available in English and Spanish and comes with one set of supervisor cards, two sets of worker cards, an Illegal Fees Poster, and a training record. This training record is for workers to sign and date providing the employer documentation the workers understand the topic and completed training. The supervisor cards have images on the front and a script to lead the discussion and training with the workers. The tailgate training kit and poster is valued at $30 and can be purchased from the GAPC Store.
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Plan – develop and implement an effective written Heat Illness Prevention plan that includes emergency response procedures. Heat Illness Prevention Plan Template from OSHA.
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Train – train all employees, supervisors, and family members working outside on the Heat Illness Prevention plan. Discuss dressing for the heat such as a hat and light-colored, loose-fitting (where allowed), breathable clothing, checking on each other verbally often during high temperatures, personal risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease that may change how a person reacts to heat. GAPC offers Heat Illness Training in its Customized Farmworker Training Program or a Heat Illness Prevention tailgate training kit can be purchased from the store.
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Water – provide drinking water that is fresh, pure, suitably cool and free of charge. Drink cool water even if you are not thirsty — at least 1 cup every 20 minutes. It is easier to drink smaller amounts of water frequently than larger amounts less often. Encourage workers to stay hydrated by drinking water and avoiding soft drinks, energy drinks, and alcohol. Have someone monitoring the water to make sure it is full and cups are available at all times.
- Rest – encourage workers to take a cool-down rest in the shade for at least five minutes when they feel the need to do so to protect themselves from overheating. Workers should not wait until they feel sick to rest and cool-down. Encourage workers to tell you, a supervisor, or another worker if they feel sick.
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Shade – provide proper shade when the temperature and humidity is excessive. Consider downloading the OSHA-NIOSH Heat Tool app to have vital safety information available whenever and wherever you need it – right on your mobile phone. The app is available in English and Spanish for Android and iPhone devices.
- Observe – closing monitor and observe all workers when working outdoors during high temperatures and humidity. Allow new workers to acclimate to the temperature and humidity. Assign lighter worker, take frequent breaks, or work shorter hours to allow workers to adapt and prevent heat Illnesses.
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| For Download
An Illegal Fees Training Presentation (PDF) has been created for GAPC Grower Members to conduct training upon arrival and departure with workers. This training presentation is available in English and Spanish and can be downloaded from the Grower Dashboard (you must log into www.gapconnections.com) under Member Resources, then click on Worker Training Resources. At the same location, you will find the poster and training record to document the training for download that compliments the training.
The Illegal Fees training material in the store and for download helps workers understand the differences between illegal fees and legal fees with examples and talking points on who makes the decisions to work on the farm and how and who to report to if a worker has been solicitated for fees.
Employers and workers must follow labor laws and regulations. Communication and training is the first step to protecting the employer and worker when it comes to compliance with the laws and rights under the H-2A program.
This training is not a requirement of the GAPC Certification Program but is available as a resource for GAPC Grower Members.
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| New Episode Out Now! "Let's Talk About Labor" Podcast hosted by University of TN and GAP Connections |
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GAP Connections is excited to announce the launch of a new podcast "Let's Talk About Labor" that aims to address labor needs to farmers in Tennessee and other surrounding states. The podcast is a collaborative effort of University of Tennessee Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics and GAP Connections
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Episode 1: Let's talk about the H-2A program: Farmer's experiences with the H-2A program.
Listen here.
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Episode 2: H-2A Worker Housing: Practical Things I Need to Know Before Considering the H-2A Program
Listen here.
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Episode 3: H-2A Worker Transportation: Practical Things I Need to Know Before Considering the H-2A Program
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Episode 4: H-2A Program Housing Requirements
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In this Episode, Lance Butler from the Tennessee Department of Labor will talk about housing requirements under the H-2A visa program and housing options. Lance Butler oversees four programs in Tennessee, including the H2A and H2B visa programs, the Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker program, and the Senior Community Service Employment Program.
Listen here.
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Events and News from Others |
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Kentucky Corn, Soybean and Tobacco Field Day | July 23 |
The Kentucky Corn, Soybean and Tobacco Field day will be held Tuesday, July 23, at the UK Research & Education Center in Princeton KY. Click here for more information.
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Virginia Row Crop Field Day | July 25, 4:30 PM |
Location: Southern Piedmont AREC, 2375 Darvills Road, Blackstone, VA
Registration begins at 4:30 PM. Dinner will be served at 5 PM, followed by a tour of tobacco and other field crop research. Click here to register.
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Kentucky Dark Tobacco Twilight Tour | August 8, 5:30 PM |
Location: West Farm of Murray State University at Robertson Road, Murray, KY
For more information contact: Andy Bailey, (270) 625-1560, abailey@uky.edu
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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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