A consultant is an independent person/company that the grower hires to assist them through the certification process. Consultants are not GAPC employees and using a consultant does not guarantee Certification will be granted. Rather, they are well versed in all things Certification and have completed detailed training from GAPC to help educate their growers. The consultant's role is to help guide the grower through the Certification process and assist with paperwork and record keeping practices. Learn more.

2025 GAPC Consultant Partners

GAP Connections (GAPC) coordinates GAP Training annually 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 2025, GAP Training will be available online and at a select few in-person training locations and events.

Online training will launch January 15 and can be found on the Grower Dashboard in the Training Section.  

Not sure about online training? Watch the GAPC Training and Events Page for an in-person meeting near you. 

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

Episode 1: Let's talk about the H-2A program: Farmer's experiences with the H-2A program.

Listen here.

Episode 2: H-2A Worker Housing: Practical Things I Need to Know Before Considering the H-2A Program

Listen here.

Episode 3: H-2A Worker Transportation: Practical Things I Need to Know Before Considering the H-2A Program

Listen here.

Episode 4: H-2A Program Housing Requirements

Listen here.

Episode 5: H-2A Program Housing Inspections

Listen here.

Episode 6: Tobacco and Row Crop Growers' Experience with the H-2A Program

Listen here.

Episode 7: Tobacco and Row Crop Growers' Experience with the H-2A Worker Housing

Listen here.

Episode 8: Labor Challenges and Strategies to Overcome These Challenges – Lessons Learned by a Tennessee Nursery Operation

Listen here.

Episode 9: Mechanization as a Strategy to Overcome Labor Challenges –  Lessons Learned by a Tennessee Nursery Operation

In this episode, Terry Hines, owner of Hale & Hines Nursery, will talk about his experience using mechanization as a strategy to address labor challenges in his operation. Listen here.

When: Tuesday, February 4 | 8:00am - 1:00pm CST

Where: Robertson County Fairgrounds

4635 Hwy 41 North, Springfield, TN 37172

Schedule: 

Growers must attend both GAP Training sessions in order to earn 2025 Annual GAP Training Credit. 

View flyer. 

When: Thursday, March 6 | 10:00am - Noon

Where: Wilson County Agricultural Center Auditorium

1806 S. Goldsboro St.
Wilson, NC 27893

Anyone interested in tobacco is encouraged to attend.

R.S.V.P. to 919-821-7670 or tar@tobaccoassociatesinc.org

Lunch to follow.

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). 

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