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.  

University of Kentucky Christian County Cooperative Extension Office, Hopkinsville, KY, will be holding an Annual GAP Training “clean-up” on Friday, June 20, from 9:00-11:00 a.m. Matt Futrell, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent, will run the recorded Annual GAP Training video for growers to watch.  Growers planning to attend should bring their GAP Grower ID cards.  The training will be held at the Christian County Cooperative Extension Office, 2850 Pembroke Rd, Hopkinsville, KY.  For more information or questions, please call (270) 886-6328.

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

First Aid is just as its name implies, the FIRST ASSISTANCE given to a sick or injured person before the arrival of an ambulance, paramedic, or qualified medical person or before arriving at a facility that can provide medical care.

Basic First Aid is a skill learned through training.  GAP Connections (GAPC) Certification Standards require those individuals (hired workers and family members) working on a tobacco farm to have Basic First Aid training every year.

The most important First Aid procedures include: 

Maintain Adequate Supplies in the First Aid Kit

A well-stocked First Aid kit is handy to be prepared for emergencies.  It’s recommended to have a First Aid Kit in the vehicle and know where the First Aid Kit is located on the farm or in the home.  A First Aid kit should be provided in worker provided housing.

It is also essential workers know and understand the emergency response procedures for the farm and how to call emergency services.

The American Red Cross recommends that all First Aid Kits include the following items: 

Growers needing training materials on First Aid can purchase the Farm First Aid Tailgate Training Kit.  The training kit includes 1 set of supervisor cards that have images on the front and a script on the back and 2 sets of worker cards. The First Aid Tailgate Training Kit is available in English and Spanish.  The kit provides training on injuries requiring First Aid, recognizing when someone needs help, First Aid materials, and treating a cut or open wound.  To purchase a Farm First Aid Tailgate Training Kit, visit the GAPC Shop. 

Basic First Aid is a training topic GAPC Farmworker Trainers cover in the Customized Farmworker Training Program.  To schedule a Customized Farmworker Training on your farm contact Amy Rochkes, at (865) 622-4606, ext. 107 or email arochkes@gapconnections.com

This event will take place at the Highland Rim AgResearch and Education Center in Springfield, Tennessee. View the flyer for a list of speakers and tour schedule. 

This free virtual event is offered as a public service and will be held June 25, 2025 from 9:30am to 4:30pm CST 

Speakers from Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Employment and Training Administration, Bureau of International Labor Affairs, the Department of State, and the Department of Justice will join the Wage and Hour Division in this educational seminar. T

Topics will include H-2A, compliance practices, farm labor, transportation safety and many more. 

You'll learn about requirements for wages, housing, field sanitation, Farm Labor Contractor registration and the H-2A program. Learn More. 

This event is free to attend, but space is limited.

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